“Mr. Oconnor knows your business is just starting and a bit slow, so consider this his gesture of goodwill, Mrs. Oconnor. Please accept it.”
Nelson was incredibly generous; this gift alone was enough to keep the studio running for six months.
“Thank him for me,” Callie said with a smile, wondering why he hadn’t mentioned anything about it yesterday.
After Anthony left, Reuben gazed out at the view from the floor, looking a bit wistful. Callie approached him, “What’s up, Reuben? Aren’t you happy for your daughter?”
“Of course I am,” Reuben said, leaning on his cane with a look of contentment. “Seeing you get this far makes me very happy.”
“I’ll go even further,” Callie said softly but with determination.
“So, have you decided to spend your life with him?” Reuben suddenly asked, the identity of “him” being clear without saying.
Callie smiled and nodded after a moment, “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll face whatever comes our way.”
Reuben pondered for a moment, then patted her head and sighed deeply, “If that’s what you want, then go for it.”
Just then, Litzy called from outside, “Callie, someone sent another flower basket. Come take a look.”
“It must be from one of Regan’s friends,” Callie said as she walked out and saw a beautifully arranged, tall flower basket at the door. She pulled out the card inside and was taken aback.
The handwriting was bold and elegant: “Congratulations on your grand opening.”
The signature at the bottom read: Jaquan.
He had been out of sight for so long that Callie had almost forgotten about him. His sudden reappearance made her heart sink.
…
Summer weather can change in an instant. One moment it was clear skies, and the next, a storm rolled in with fierce winds and heavy rain that lasted well into the night.
A young woman with long curly hair stood in front of a standalone villa, holding an umbrella. She had been standing there all day.
Lightning illuminated the villa, which was uniquely designed and beautiful by the seaside.
The young woman was Marilyn.
She had a determination that others lacked; even if there was only a 0. 1% chance, she would still give it a try.
Recently, someone had set their sights on Vanco, a lucrative target. They had the capital and the means; Vanco was facing a takeover and restructuring crisis.
The one eyeing Vanco was none other than the formidable Scott Group.
Jaquan was behind this move, showing no hesitation. He was always decisive; once he made his move public, it meant he was fully prepared.
People said that Marilyn never gave in to him, so he turned against her and decided not to waste any more time on her.
Ahmad suggested she leave Vanco and return to the Ellison family to take over the family business, but she refused. Ahmad was furious and declared he wouldn’t offer a hand; if she wanted to go down with Vanco, so be it.
In the morning, Marilyn sent Nelson a message: “You promised me you would never go after Vanco. I’m waiting for you at Azure Ocean Villa.”
In reality, Nelson kept his promise and didn’t make a move against Vanco. But his relationship with Jaquan was anything but ordinary.
Jaquan was such a free spirit that she couldn’t even get in touch with him. If she had any other option, she wouldn’t have bothered Nelson.
But there was no reply to her message, so she stood there all day.
Nelson hadn’t explicitly rejected her but made it clear he didn’t want to be involved with her. Every coincidental encounter had been orchestrated by her. So today, Marilyn wasn’t sure if she would see Nelson at all.
Especially since she had chosen this place to wait.