A kiss

Andrew wanted to seize this opportunity to show Madelyn just how challenging the real world could be.

Madelyn picked at her breakfast, and her lack of appetite clearly showed her early wake–up call.

“Does anyone at the company know I’m the boss?” she asked.

“Do you want to be the boss?”

Andrew raised an eyebrow.

“No,” she glared at him.

“Have someone else manage it discreetly. I’d rather not be recognized.”

“Why not?”

“What’s the point of me working if they know? It’ll be like working under your nose anyway.”

Madelyn avoided Andrew’s company because everyone there knew her, rendering her presence pointless.

If the studio Rowan hastily prepared overnight was also filled with familiar faces, it would be equally futile as they would also allow her to do whatever she wanted.

Andrew placed a fried egg in her bowl.

“So, you’re itching for a challenge based on your abilities?”

Madelyn took a bite and mumbled, “You’ve pampered me too much that I lost my abilities. I just want a regular job.”

Andrew chuckled. He’d coddled her, only to almost lose her. It was apparent she was influenced. Clearly, whoever claimed that spoiling a woman kept her from leaving didn’t know what they were talking about.

“Alright. I’ll have Rowan handle it.”

“Okay.”

Madelyn relaxed after he agreed.

She couldn’t have taken her medication on an empty stomach without feeling sick, so Andrew let her wait until after breakfast.

Despite sleeping through the night, she remembered his promise and insisted on seeing two orange- flavored candies before taking her medicine.

When it was time for work, Andrew opened the car door for her.

“Come on. I’ll give you a lift.”

Madelyn instinctively wanted to dodge, but Andrew’s stern gaze silenced her objections.

Miller Group

Rowan had set up a studio in the building next door to Miller

Madelyn felt uneasy about being so close to Andrew’s watchful eye, but securing his permission to work was a feat in itself, so she didn’t protest.

Before she got out of the car, Andrew handed down a string of instructions as if he were prepping a kindergarten student for their first day of school.

“The vice president is already on board. The studio is just starting so there won’t be many clients yet. She’ll start recruiting and pooling resources in the coming days.

“I don’t imagine you’ll be too busy, so I’ll pick you up for lunch. Be ready on time.”

“Got it,” Madelyn replied, nodding.

Andrew went over the details one more time to make sure she understood.

Then Madelyn asked, “So, what exactly am I supposed to do?”

“What do you want to do?”

“Run errands?”

Andrew was momentarily speechless at her intention to run errands. He didn’t know what to make of that.

After a moment’s thought, he figured that he might as well let her if that’s what she wanted. He hoped she might get tired and return to the office after a while.

With that in mind, Andrew felt better about letting her go.

“Even if you’re just running errands, remember, you’re still the owner of this studio. And as you requested, no one will know your true identity.”

“Okay,” Madelyn nodded as she listened intently.

Once everything was settled, Andrew watched her walk into the building, lingering momentarily before heading back.

Rowan, weary from working all night, couldn’t help but notice Madelyn’s lack of enthusiasm. He wondered if all his efforts had been in vain. He glanced at Andrew with skepticism..

He felt that Madelyn had a knack for stirring things up and hoped that this time would be different.

“Mr. Miller, are you really letting her go off to work like this?” Rowan asked.

He was doubtful about both Madelyn and Andrew. Considering how Andrew had pampered her, she seemed unlikely to succeed as a businesswoman. More importantly, Madelyn didn’t seem to have the necessary skills.

Andrew, however, appeared intrigued by her initiative.

“Let her have a go at it. If that’s what she wants, let her give it a shot.”

“But are we really not going to help with client acquisition?”

“No,” Andrew said firmly.

He hoped that by facing the challenges alone, Madelyn would realize her place was beside him.

Rowan finally understood. Andrew was willing to spend money just to let Madelyn confront the harsh realities of the world, hoping she’d return to him more compliant.

All his hard work the previous night suddenly seemed like a wasted effort.