The Unveiled Rose

"If Willow didn't want to speak..." I chose my words carefully. "Even if you care for her, you couldn't have known what she went through, let alone stand up for her."

I slowed my speech. "So, you don't need to blame yourself. Besides, Willow is already doing better now."

I repeated everything Willow had told me in the bathroom.

Zane was silent for a long time before saying, "Anna, thank you.

"It's because you became her mom and gently guided her that she was able to slowly get better."

Zane's tone was sincere.

"You gave me a job when I was at my lowest." I turned to look at him. "Logically, I should be the one thanking you."

Zane placed his hand on my head. This was the second time.

I looked at him helplessly.

Not only did Zane not withdraw his hand, but he also gently patted my head twice. "You don't need to be so formal with me."

I smiled and retorted, "Same goes for you."

Zane withdrew his hand. "Alright."

Eric was already waiting at the door when I arrived at the office. He approached me and said, "Could you please head to the meeting room? We'd like to report the promotion plan for your comics." I glanced at Zane.

His voice no longer carried the usual oppressive tone, and instead, it sounded more considerate. "Go ahead."

This tough man-usually so serious and high up in the company-could really be this easygoing?

Eric stole a glance at Zane.

Noticing his gaze, Zane looked at him coldly.

Eric quickly averted his eyes.

As expected! This cold, icy man was the boss he knew!

Eric led the way, with me following behind.

Once we were out of Zane's sight, Eric immediately whispered, "Does Mr. Huxham always have a sour expression when he's around you, making him seem hard to get along with?" I didn't understand why he was asking that, but I still answered honestly, "No."

Eric nodded in satisfaction, pleased with the answer. "That's good."

I was even more confused. "Hmm?"

Eric broke out in a cold sweat. If he bluntly explained that Zane was always cold to everyone at the company but acted differently with me, then his speculations would be exposed!

After hesitating for a while, Eric decided to lie through his teeth. "Mr. Huxham is always warm and friendly with everyone in the company. And then, people started wondering if he might dislike you. So I wanted to check how he usually gets along with you." Eric said with a serious expression. "I'm glad his behavior toward you is no different from how he treats us."

I finally understood. "Oh."

...

When we arrived at the meeting room, several young girls-fresh in their careers were already waiting around the table.

I looked at Eric in confusion. "Who are they?"

"They're the promotion team I just set up." Eric smiled. "They're responsible for promoting your work."

I was stunned. "Huh?"

One comic book promotion shouldn't need all these people to handle it, right?

Eric continued, "They've already worked out the promotion plan. We called you here specifically to see if there's anything you're not happy with. Feel free to bring it up so they can make changes."