The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Eric set his phone down and explained, "The comic's priced affordably. Most people can grab it without thinking twice. So it's selling way better than our merchandise."

I rested my chin in my hands. "These results are incredible."

"Yeah, they are," Eric said. "I'm sure Jessica and the others won't stop stirring things up. Plus, we'll take care of our marketing, and it's going global, so both the comic and the merchandise are going to do great all over."

I laughed. "So I can just kick back and watch the money come in?"

Eric glanced at me. "Speaking of which, you might want to check your account. Your paycheck should've hit today."

He looked at Zane for confirmation. "Right?"

Zane didn't deny it. "Yeah, that's right."

I checked my balance, and my eyes went wide in disbelief. It was over three million before taxes, and even after taxes, it was still well over 1.6 million.

Eric grinned. "So, what do you think? Isn't this way better than a regular job?"

hummed, not sure how to put my feelings into words. I'd always thought it would take forever to save enough for Mom and me

my work, no matter how good I was, I probably

quiet while Zane gave my shoulder a light pat. "Don't mention it, Anna. I'm just looking for ways to help the company grow. It's not really me helping you. It's

being modest. He didn't want me to feel like I owed him anything.

with

be grateful forever. But with Zane, I could see everything he did for me, yet he acted like it was all just for his

pursed my lips. "Even if it is for you, I'm

"Do we really have to keep acting so

I smiled sheepishly.

still here, you know. Can you tone it down

I held

a million, which might not seem like a

Л

tens of thousands of comic copies flying off the shelves, you'll be pulling in royalties, too. If it really takes off, you could see another million," Eric

animated series will kick up its marketing. That means we'll