09:44
Chapter 180
“Hey, Nancy,” Judson called out, his voice breaking through the silence like a sudden gust of wind, as he placed his hand firmly on the stack of sketches in front of her, preventing her from leafing through them any further.
Startled, Nancy looked up, her brow furrowed in mild annoyance, only to find Judson standing there, his eyes rimmed with a tell–tale redness, his face a picture of unspoken dismay.
With a sigh of resignation, Nancy said, “Judson, I’m knee–deep in work right now. Let me finish this last review, okay?”
Judson’s face was a mix of disbelief and hurt as he spoke. “Nancy, don’t you love me anymore? Am I less appealing than your pile of work?”
Nancy rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. “That’s not what I meant.”
“You’ve ignored me for a whole week! You’ve barely eaten or slept properly. What’s more important, your job or your health?”
Well, if she were honest, it was the job. But seeing Judson’s wounded puppy–dog look, Nancy quickly changed her tune. “Health is important. How about we hit the amusement park this weekend? We could use some fun.”
“Really?” Judson’s eyes widened in surprise.
Nancy chuckled, nodding. “The show of The NY Group is set in an amusement park. They gave me tickets to check it out. Still upset?”
Judson’s lips curled into a reluctant smile. “I suppose I can manage a little happiness. But, if Nancy could give me a kiss, I’d be over the moon.”
Nancy just shook her head, amused and exasperated all at once, ready to respond when the door swung open with a suddenness that demanded attention.
Orlando stood there, his expression a whirlwind of urgency. “Nancy, I need a huge favor, like, right now.”
Nancy arched an eyebrow, curious. “What’s up?”
“The Butt family decided to move up their meeting to tonight, and they want you there in person,” Orlando replied, his brow creased with worry. “Problem is, I’ve already set a meeting with Mr. McBride for tonight, and I
can’t miss it.”
Mr. McBride was one of their earliest partners, instrumental in introducing Lena’s Studio to the industry heavyweights.
Nancy, ever the picture of calm under pressure, nodded. “I’ll handle the meeting with the Butt family. Just send me the designs, and I’ll take it from there.”
Judson, though clearly displeased, held his tongue, knowing better than to argue when Nancy was in her element.
Orlando glanced at his watch, the seconds ticking away, as he spoke. “You’re a lifesaver, Nancy,” he said. “I’ll shoot you the emails. Gotta dash!”
And with that, Orlando was gone, leaving the door to swing shut in his wake.
Judson’s voice was a ghost of a whisper, “Nancy, I want to come too.”
She had expected him to push back, so she surprised even herself when she said, “Sure, but you can’t come into the meeting. Wait outside, grab a bite, and I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Judson knew this was as much of a compromise as he was going to get. Nancy took her work seriously, and he respected that.
With a resigned smile, Judson nodded. “Alright, I’ll be waiting for your call.”
1/2
09:45
With a quick nod, Nancy turned to her screen, checking the details Orlando had sent over about the time and the venue.
She stood up decisively. “Let’s get there early. I hate making people wait.”
meeting
The Butt family was one of the major players, especially now after the Allen family had folded, and the Hernandez family was embroiled in scandal. It was crucial to cement ties with them.
An hour later, at the Velvet Vine Club.
Nancy pushed open the door to the private room, a pleasant smile gracing her features. “Apologies for-”
Her words faltered mid–sentence as her gaze landed on Cyrus, seated at the head of the table, her smile vanishing like a puff of smoke.
The atmosphere turned heavy, like the air before a thunderstorm.
Sensing the shift, a middle–aged man standing behind Cyrus quickly stepped in, his voice smooth and reassuring. “Miss Lena, you’re right on time. I’m Rankin, the VP of The Butt Group, and this,” he gestured to the man in the chair, “is Mr. Cyrus, President of The Gordon Group.”
Chapter 180
Chapter 180
“Hey, Nancy,” Judson called out, his voice breaking through the silence like a sudden gust of wind, as he placed his hand firmly on the stack of sketches in front of her, preventing her from leafing through them any further.
Startled, Nancy looked up, her brow furrowed in mild annoyance, only to find Judson standing there, his eyes rimmed with a tell–tale redness, his face a picture of unspoken dismay.
With a sigh of resignation, Nancy said, “Judson, I’m knee–deep in work right now. Let me finish this last review, okay?
Judson’s face was a mix of disbelief and hurt as he spoke. “Nancy, don’t you love me anymore? Am I less appealing than your pile of work?”
Nancy rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. “That’s not what I meant.”
“You’ve ignored me for a whole week! You’ve barely eaten or slept properly. What’s more important, your job or your health?”
Well, if she were honest, it was the job. But seeing Judson’s wounded puppy–dog look, Nancy quickly changed her tune. “Health is important. How about we hit the amusement park this weekend? We could use some fun.”
“Really?” Judson’s eyes widened in surprise.
Nancy chuckled, nodding. “The show of The NY Group is set in an amusement park. They gave me tickets to check it out. Still upset?”
Judson’s lips curled into a reluctant smile. “I suppose I can manage a little happiness. But, if Nancy could give me a kiss, I’d be over the moon.”
Nancy just shook her head, amused and exasperated all at once, ready to respond when the door swung open with a suddenness that demanded attention.
Orlando stood there, his expression a whirlwind of urgency. “Nancy, I need a huge favor, like, right now.”
Nancy arched an eyebrow, curious. “What’s up?”
“The Butt family decided to move up their meeting to tonight, and they want you there in person,” Orlando replied, his brow creased with worry. “Problem is, I’ve already set a meeting with Mr. McBride for tonight, and I can’t miss it.”
Mr. McBride was one of their earliest partners, instrumental in introducing Lena’s Studio to the industry heavyweights.
Nancy, ever the picture of calm under pressure, nodded. “I’ll handle the meeting with the Butt family. Just send me the designs, and I’ll take it from there.”
Judson, though clearly displeased, held his tongue, knowing better than to argue when Nancy was in her element.
Orlando glanced at his watch, the seconds ticking away, as he spoke. “You’re a lifesaver, Nancy,” he said. “I’ll shoot you the emails. Gotta dash!”
And with that, Orlando was gone, leaving the door to swing shut in his wake.
Judson’s voice was a ghost of a whisper, “Nancy, I want to come too.”
She had expected him to push back, so she surprised even herself when she said, “Sure, but you can’t come into the meeting. Wait outside, grab a bite, and I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Judson knew this was as much of a compromise as he was going to get. Nancy took her work seriously, and he respected that.
With a resigned smile, Judson nodded. “Alright, I’ll be waiting for your call.”
09
