The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 105

Howard was touched, as he did not expect Zane to trust him so much. "Alright."

He was considerate enough to pull the study door closed behind him when he left.

At his desk, Zane picked up his phone. "Go on."

"The comic publishing company is staffed and ready to go," Eric reported.

Zane could now officially bring Annalise on board. He crossed his legs as his cold eyes softened a little. "Good." He asked, "Do you need help with anything else?"

"I asked Annalise to help design some game items today," he said casually. "Make sure she gets a bonus."

Eric could usually calculate employees' bonuses in a heartbeat. But Zane clearly treated Annalise differently.

Everyone knew Zane as a total workaholic. Yet, this strictly business-minded man had brought Annalise into the company. Besides, despite having plenty of empty offices, he had insisted she work right next to him. Lost on what figure to suggest, Eric bit the bullet and asked, "How much should we pay her?"

Zane thought for a bit. "A hundred grand."

Eric nearly choked. The market rate was usually a few thousand tops!

Thank God he had asked first! If he had issued the standard amount, it would not be even close to what Zane wanted, and he would have lost his job for sure.

relieved.

rushed to process Annalise's

...

up work, Zane headed downstairs to find Howard leading a warm-up session with Annalise and Willow. His eyes drifted

was weird. They were just doing some basic exercises,

...

warm-ups, Howard

I was doing okay, but Willow was gasping for

made

Howard told

a breather

with sweat. I

against me. "Mommy,

we

her age would

towel when things

eyes blazed with

tion. "Yes!"

I carried her up

a kiss, but