Chapter23 Aftertheauctionended,Darwinwalkedin,holdingatraydrapedwitharedcloth . Theabarelyglancedathimuntilheapproachedherdirectly. Whatsthis?sheasked,herheart flutteringslightly assheinstinctivelylookedoveratNicolas. Nicolass gazeshiftedtothetray.Openit.Itsforyou.ConsideritanapologyonbehalfoftheHendrixfamilyandAvonVenturesforJakesbehavior. Theahesitated,thenliftedtheredcloth,revealingapairofearrings.Theyweresilver,shapedlikecrescentmoons,each adornedwithpurelightbluegemstonesthatseemedtocapturetheglowofmoonlight. The earringswerenoneotherthanMoonlightFantasy,thefinalcreationofaworldrenownedjewelrydesigner,withastarting bidof10milliondollars.Nicolashadwonthemforcloseto15milliondollars. Nowomancouldeasilyresistsuchexquisitejewelry,andTheawasnoexception.Still,sheshookherhead.Mr.Hendrix,this istoomuch. Nicolasscalmgazerestedonher.Ifyouhadnt spokenuptoday,ImighthaveassumedJakehandledallthoseprojectshimself Iwasabouttoentrusthimwithadealworthtensofmillionsofdollars.Bytellingthetruth,yousavedmefromtakingamajorrisk.TheseearringsaresimplycompensationforallthebonusesJaketookcreditforinyourname. Theascheekswarmedasshelistened.ShehaddonesomuchforJakeinthepast,neverexpectingNicolas-whowasknowntoberuthlesstonotbeangryandevenacknowledgehercontributions.Sheguessedhemustvalueherabilities. Withthatrealization.Theasmiledandacceptedthegift.Assheheldtheearrings,shecouldnthelpbutwonderwhenNicolashadstartedlookingoutforJakesomuch,evenwantingtocleanuphismesses. JakehadalwayspaintedNicolasinanegativelight.HedtoldTheathatNicolaswascoldheartedandemotionless,evenrecountinghow,whenhisgrandmotherpassedawayinfrontofhim,Nicolashadntsomuchasblinked.Jakehadmadehimsoundutterlyindifferenttoanythingandanyone. Theahadbelievedit.Foryears,evenwhenshesawNicolasatfamilygatherings,shehadkeptherdistance. Forsevenyears,herperceptionoftheHendrixfamilysleaderhadbeenshapedbyJakeandhisparentsfragmented,critical comments. Butinatwistofirony,themanJakehaddescribedasheartlesswasthefirsttotrulyconsiderhersideofthings. WhetheritwasbecausehevaluedherskillsorbecauseofJake,itdidntmatter.WhatmatteredwasthatNicolashadgivenheranopportunitytokeepgoing. Theannouncementfromheadquarterscameswiftly.Theawasclearedofanywrongdoinginthecompanydataleak,andtherealculpritwasstillunderinvestigation Whileherformerpositionasdeputymanager wasntreinstated,shewas givenanewroleassecretary totheCEOsofficeatAvonVentures,withauthorityequivalenttoJakes Meanwhile,Madelynspositionasdeputymanagerwaseliminated.Coingforward, Jake wouldneedTheasapprovalfor any decisions. AsTheamovedherbelongingsbackintotheoffice,shemadeapointofpassingbyMadelynsworkspate. 1/3 69%1 11:37Fri,Oct25T Chapter23 Theofficedoorwasajar,revealingJakeandMadelyninanembrace.MadelynsobbeduncontrollablyinJakesarms,herfrailformtremblingasifshemightfaint. Jakeheldherclosewithonehand,murmuringreassurances,buthisotherhandwasclenchedinafist,hissuppressedrage. Theaknockedonthedoor,cutting intotheirmoment.Excuseme,MissTerell.Couldyouhurryandpackyourthings?Mr.NicolasHendrixhasassignedmealotofwork,andIneedtogetstarted. Youwouldntwanttoholdupsomeoneelsesjob,wouldyou?Also,Idontlikethetackydecorationsinthisoffice,somakesuretogetridofeverything. Madelynssobsgrewevenmorepitiful JakeseyesreddenedwithfuryasheshotaglareatThea.Areyouhappynow?Lookat whatyouvedonetoMadelyn. Beforehecouldcontinue,Madely