Chapter 167

Clifford's hands stilled. He lifted his gaze to meet Selah's.

She stood her ground, maintaining a professional smile, as if this were just a routine matter.

"Then what is your recommendation, Ms. Madison?" Clifford asked.

Selah seemed taken aback for a moment. “Mr. Lambert, I'm merely reporting a potential issue. The final decision, of course, is yours to make."

"Then do as I said."

"Very well." Selah gave a slight nod. "I'll file the leave of absence for one month."

"You may go."

She turned and walked to the door. As she was closing it, she glanced back at Clifford. He had already lowered his eyes, engrossed in the file in his hands.

She shut the door quietly and left.

A little while later, Ziven came in to report on Thorin Hancock.

"Thorin's embezzlement has been confirmed. He's returned some of the funds and was sentenced to seven years."

"And?"

Ziven hesitated. “Sir, the rumor going around the company is that I was the one who brought Mrs. Lambert here. I..."

He just wanted to give Clifford a heads-up, before the rumors spiraled out of control and he ended up like Thorin.

“Understood. You're dismissed," Clifford said without looking up.

Ziven breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and backed out of the room. He ran into Selah just outside the door, and they exchanged polite greetings.

“Ziven,” Selah said, “Mr. Lambert just had me file a month-long leave of absence for Latisha."

Ziven shrugged. "Oh. Well, thanks for handling that."

Selah's gaze lingered on his face. "You're welcome. Does that mean you owe me a favor?"

He smiled back. "Of course. If you ever need anything, Ms. Madison, just ask." "I'll hold you to that."

Selah's suspicions were confirmed. She didn't need to ask any more questions. After another brief exchange of pleasantries, they went their separate ways.

Latisha had mostly recovered. The doctor now came every three days for a check- up, but most of her time was spent sitting alone in the house, lost in thought.

After checking her pulse and inspecting her healing wounds, the doctor nodded.

"Mrs. Lambert, your cold is gone and the cuts are almost fully healed. However, your system is still very weak. You must not get chilled again. In your current state, it could be very dangerous."

Latisha looked up at him and nodded, then picked up a piece of paper from the table beside her.

In large letters, it said: THANK YOU.

The doctor couldn't help but smile every time he saw it. It wasn't a mocking smile; he just found

something strangely endearing

about the way she held up the net

There was a small stack of them on the table with other phrases: YOU'RE WELCOME, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU.

"Try to cheer up, Mrs. Lambert. A positive mood will help you heal faster."

Latisha's lips thinned as she glanced at the television. An entertainment news program was on, reporting on a new film with a two billion dollar

budget and a star studded cast

in

the center of all the A-list celebrities

stood Yesenia, stealing the spotlight.

Cóntent

How generous Clifford was. While Latisha couldn't even afford a ride to the hospital,

he was investing billions to launch Yesenia's career.

Yesenia was free to pursue her dreams, to be reckless, to cause trouble. And here Latisha was, being called "Mrs. Lambert" by this kind doctor, a title that felt like a bitter joke.

The doctor, sensing her mood, pulled out his phone. "Here, watch this."

Latisha tore her eyes from the TV and looked at his screen. It was a compilation of funny pet

videos mischievous animals, a dog that appeared to be dancing. She wasn't sure if it was edited, but it was undeniably charming