[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-264":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},264,50,"Chapter 50: The One-Hundred-Thousand-Dollar Noodle Bowl","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After days of burning the midnight oil, Sadie’s dress was finally finished.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, I love it,\" Sadie whispered. Her eyes shimmered as she reached out, her fingers trembling slightly as she touched the fabric.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Want to try it on?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes, please!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright, let me help you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline carefully unhooked the garment from the mannequin and guided Sadie into the fitting room. Sadie stripped, revealing a frame that looked dangerously frail, her bones sharp and protruding beneath her pale skin. She cast her eyes downward, unable to meet her own reflection, filled with a visceral sense of inadequacy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline... am I ugly?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline’s heart ached. She brushed a hand over Sadie’s prominent spine, her voice softening into a comforting hum. \"You’re beautiful, Sadie. You’re pure and kind, like a little angel who lost her way to heaven.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She tried to keep her tone steady, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her. Sadie lowered her head, a bitter, self-deprecating smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The air in the room grew heavy with the weight of her sorrow.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline quickly moved to help her into the gown. \"Sadie, look up. Look at yourself.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sadie lifted her chin. The dull, hollow look in her eyes was suddenly replaced by a shock of genuine surprise. In the mirror, she looked like a forest sprite; the emerald silk cast a soft, ethereal glow against her skin. She choked back a sob, tears welling in her eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, I look... I look healthy.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Usually, the clothes she wore hung loosely off her skeletal frame, making her look like she might collapse at any second, prompting strangers to steer clear of her on the street.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline reached behind her and carefully placed the headpiece on her hair. Sadie gasped. \"Evangeline, this is...?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi made it for you. She put it all together by hand.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The headpiece was a delicate web of silver wire and crystal, with two long, shimmering tassels that disappeared into her hair—a dreamlike, woodland aesthetic that perfectly complemented the gown. A wave of warmth washed over Sadie, leaving her breathless. \"Thank you both. This is the most beautiful moment of my life.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline pulled her into a tight hug, stroking her hair in a silent, grounding embrace.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once Sadie left, Evangeline slumped into her chair, staring at the growing stack of orders, feeling a heavy weight in her chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, if it's just the two of us, we’re going to be slaving away until we're eighty,\" she sighed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi stepped behind her, working the tension out of her shoulders. Most of their clients were coming specifically for Evangeline, which meant the brunt of the production fell squarely on her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Finding a reliable designer is a nightmare,\" Remi grumbled. \"The ones who are actually good are already locked into roles at major houses, and the rest... well, it’s a mess.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline’s eyes sharpened, a sudden idea sparking in her mind. \"Remi, what if we officially incorporate? If we open a proper company, we can attract real talent.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A small studio was invisible to high-caliber professionals, but a legitimate entity was a different story.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But we have no idea how to manage a company,\" Remi said, her enthusiasm dampened by the cold reality of their inexperience.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline thought back to her time shadowing her father at the office. She knew the basics, but she was hardly an expert. She began to scan her memories for someone—anyone—who possessed the financial and managerial acumen they lacked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A name surfaced.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, do you remember Noah Mitchell from school?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Noah? The guy from the finance department?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah was icy, reserved, and had a difficult home life, but he was brilliant. He topped every professional exam without breaking a sweat, though his abrasive personality often rubbed colleagues the wrong way. Rumor had it he’d retreated back to his hometown after being pushed out of his last firm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But... with his prickly personality, do you really think we can get him on board?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I heard his mother has a heart condition,\" Evangeline said, her voice steady. \"They’re drowning in medical debt. If we show up with genuine intent and a solid offer, he won’t say no.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then let’s go. Now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They booked a flight, their adrenaline overriding their exhaustion. Noah lived in a small rural township in the Midwest, nowhere near a major airport. It would take a flight, then a three-hour drive.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They set off at seven the next morning. After a four-hour flight and a grueling two-hour car ride through winding backroads, they finally reached the town. The cramped taxi ride, combined with the motion sickness, had left them feeling like their stomachs were inside out. The moment they stepped out of the car, they both doubled over at the roadside.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline felt the acidic burn of bile in her throat. She chugged half a bottle of water, trying to soothe the fire.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You okay, Remi?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi wiped her mouth, looking pale. \"Motion sickness is a special kind of hell.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Despite the physical toll, their resolve didn't waver. They asked around until a local shopkeeper pointed them toward the outskirts of town. When they knocked on the door of the address provided, there was no answer. They tried the neighbor’s house instead.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Excuse me, ma’am,\" Evangeline called out. \"Do you know when Noah Mitchell usually gets home?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The woman eyed them suspiciously. \"Who are you two?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Old classmates of his.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh. He’s at his noodle shop in town. He stays there until midnight. You won't find him here.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Could you tell us where the shop is?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The woman hesitated, frowning. \"You aren't here to collect a debt, are you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline waved her hands quickly. \"No, not at all.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The woman kept a wary eye on them. \"That boy has had a rough go of it. Don’t go causing trouble at his place.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"We promise, we really are just his classmates.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The woman eventually gave them the location. They walked the rest of the way, spotting Noah through the window, tied into an apron and working the counter.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline met Remi’s eyes. They were exhausted, but they had finally found him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline approached the counter. \"Noah!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah looked up, his brow furrowing in confusion. \"Evangeline?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline flashed him a bright, disarming smile. \"Noah, could you fix us two bowls of noodles?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure. Sit down.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The food arrived steaming hot. Evangeline took a bite and felt a wave of relief as the warm, savory broth hit her empty, churning stomach. She felt human again.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah watched them eat, his expression guarded. \"Why are you here?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline put her bowl down, her face turning serious. \"We’re launching a design firm, and we want you to manage it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah’s eyes flickered with surprise, but his face quickly turned to stone. \"I’m fine here. The city isn’t for me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"This shop might keep you afloat,\" Evangeline said, looking him in the eye, \"but only if your mother stays healthy.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah’s face darkened, his jaw tightening. \"Evangeline, you don't—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Noah, the girl is right,\" a soft voice interrupted.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">An older woman emerged from the back of the shop.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mom, you shouldn't be out here,\" Noah said, his voice laced with protective tension.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't want to be a burden, Noah,\" she said, her voice gentle but firm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline looked at the floor, suddenly feeling the weight of her own forwardness. \"I’m sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know you meant well, dear,\" his mother said kindly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah turned back to them, still bristling. \"My shop is profitable enough. Why should I move across the country for you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline slid a business card and a bank draft across the wooden table. \"There is one hundred and fifty thousand dollars on this card. It’s a retainer for the startup costs and a sign of our commitment. I’m offering you a ten percent equity stake in the company as a founding partner.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah stared at the draft, dumbstruck. \"What?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"We need the best, Noah. I know you can lead us to where we need to be.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah looked at his mother. She nodded, a soft smile on her lips. It was the break they had been waiting for.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'll do it,\" Noah finally said.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline and Remi shared a triumphant look. The deal was set.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272913041]