[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-266":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},266,52,"Chapter 52: The Seven-Hundred-Thousand-Dollar Handshake","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Witnessing the company rise from its infancy gave everyone an immense sense of purpose. The team was driven, their work ethic sharp and focused. Between recruiting new staff, refining internal policies, and mapping out long-term growth, there was an endless mountain of tasks to scale. For days, the core team lived inside the conference room, lost in a whirlwind of logistics.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Only once the roles were solidified and the workflow stabilized did the company finally hit its stride. For now, the orders were still being carried by the momentum of the original atelier.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But as the team grew and the workload distributed, they hit a new, critical wall: brand awareness. To scale, they needed to capture a larger audience. The consensus in the meeting was clear—they needed a powerhouse marketing strategy. They needed television spots and the reach of a high-tier celebrity. Their ideal choice? Luna Hughes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Luna had collaborated with the studio before, and during the peak of Evangeline’s online blacklisting, she had been one of the few to offer a hand of support. Her image and her integrity were exactly what they needed. With the decision made, the task fell to Evangeline to bridge the gap.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Three days after sending the proposal, she finally got a response. By 3:00 PM that afternoon, Luna Hughes and her agent were walking through the doors of QX.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hello, Ms. Hughes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hello, Ms. Montgomery.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They shook hands, both wearing polite, professional smiles.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Luna, I never properly thanked you for speaking up for me on Twitter back then. Please, accept this as a token of my appreciation.\" Evangeline presented a gift box with both hands, her posture poised and sincere.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Luna looked surprised. \"Ms. Montgomery, you’re quite generous. A gift this high-end for our first meeting? If this partnership doesn't pan out, wouldn't that be a loss for you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline chuckled softly. \"Luna, please. Don’t feel pressured. This is just for your kindness—I genuinely admire your character. Consider it a gift between friends.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline carried herself with an easy, unshakable confidence, her words measured and firm. Luna watched her with genuine appreciation; she felt a distinct, intuitive connection to this woman.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So, is the contract ready?\" Luna asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Does that mean you're in?\" Evangeline replied, a flash of hope in her eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Luna smiled. \"Of course. You don't mind that I’m not the biggest A-lister, and I don’t mind that your company is still finding its feet.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The two women shared a knowing laugh. The deal was essentially done. Evangeline slid the contract across the desk. Luna picked it up, flipping through the pages before her eyes widened.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Seven hundred thousand dollars? This is far above my current market rate.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I believe in your value,\" Evangeline said firmly. \"And I have absolute faith that you’ll bring the exact kind of traffic our brand needs.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"With that kind of ambition, Ms. Montgomery, your company is going to be unstoppable.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’ll take those words to heart.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The deal was finalized on the spot, signatures exchanged with effortless speed. Evangeline handed the documents to her staff. \"It's a done deal!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That evening, Marcellus arrived at the studio to pick Evangeline up. They hadn’t seen each other in days. As soon as she slid into the passenger seat, exhausted and drifting toward sleep, Marcellus’s expression softened into a mask of pure tenderness.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Wylder, behind the wheel, couldn't help himself. \"Sir, if you wanted to help her, you could have set up this company for her in an afternoon. Why let her work herself into the ground like this?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The joy of LEGOs is in the assembly, Wylder,\" Marcellus murmured.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Huh?\" Wylder looked confused.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Preston, sitting in the front, sighed. \"Think of it this way: if I told you that you couldn't date anyone and just shoved a random woman at you to marry, would you be happy?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Wylder shook his head violently. \"No way!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Exactly. The Boss’s lady is enjoying the process of building this herself. Get it now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Wylder nodded. \"Oh. Right. Got it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back at Elysian Estate, Marcellus carried her to their bedroom with the delicacy of handling glass. He tucked her in, watching her by the moonlight. She looked thinner after these few days of grinding; her frame, already slight, seemed even more fragile. Afraid to wake her, he traced the silhouette of her face with his fingertips, hovering just inches above her skin, silently pouring out the longing he’d kept bottled up all week.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Wrapped in his scent, she felt a profound sense of safety. She slept better that night than she had in weeks.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next morning, Evangeline stretched, letting out a contented sigh before burrowing deeper into his chest. \"Marcellus, you’re like a human charger. Just one night in your arms and I’m back to full power.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her voice was thick with sleep, her movements like a kitten kneading its owner. Marcellus felt his resolve snap as his body tensed instantly. Evangeline felt the shift and pulled back, wearing a sheepish, lopsided grin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Uh... sorry! I have to go. Next time! Let's do this next time...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus stared at her, his gaze heavy with resentment. \"Evie...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Be a good boy, now!\" She gave his cheek a playful pat and practically dove out of bed, sprinting toward the shower.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Listening to the water roar, Marcellus couldn't help but laugh at his own misfortune.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">At breakfast, Helen served a bowl of ginseng chicken soup. \"Look at you, you've withered away to nothing. Eat up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline smiled, taking the bowl. \"Thank you, Helen. I’ve been craving your cooking all week.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How about I send lunch to your office every day?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline’s eyes lit up for a second before they dimmed again. She sighed. \"I never have a set time to eat, Helen. If you sent it over, I might not even get to it while it’s hot.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Helen looked heartbroken. \"Oh, you poor dear, this is too much.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline gave her an encouraging smile. \"It’s okay. The beginning is always the hardest. Once things are running, it’ll be much easier.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After breakfast, Marcellus drove her to work. He was in a foul mood, dreading the next few days of being apart. Along the way, he clung to her like an overgrown puppy. When they reached the entrance of QX, he couldn't bear to let her go. He leaned in for a kiss—deep, possessive, and lingering, as if he wanted to consume her whole.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was rush hour for the staff, and many of them were glancing at the car as they walked by. Even though the glass was tinted, Evangeline felt the weight of being watched. She pushed him away, her cheeks burning.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay, okay, let me go!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus sat there, looking deeply aggrieved, refusing to say a word. Evangeline sighed, cupped his face, and gave him a quick, soft peck on the lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’ll find time to see you. Now go!\" She stepped out of the car.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He watched her walk away, his eyes locked on her silhouette until she vanished into the building, letting out a long, heavy breath before finally pulling away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Today was the day to secure the photography studio. Evangeline arrived early to oversee the progress. As soon as she walked in, Remi took one look at her, a wicked smirk spreading across her face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Look at those swollen lips,\" Remi teased.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline slapped a hand over Remi’s mouth. \"Remi! There are people everywhere!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi nodded, muffled sounds of protest beneath Evangeline’s palm. Only then did Evangeline let go.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The crew was already busy with the setups. Everything had to be perfect. They were racing to prepare for the Spring season, and they needed this campaign to be the thunderclap that launched their success.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272913129]