hours

g that their boss wanted to talk to her directly after work. Mrs. Jessica reassured Adaline to stay calm so that their COO could approve her loan, while Dun

shown up. Earlier, Duncan had contacted their COO's secretary, explaining that the meeti

ht not be approved, and she was confused about where else to seek a loan. Meanwhile, her mother's surgery was scheduled for tomorrow.

e marble floor echoed in her ears. Adaline rose from her seat nervously. She could guess who was

ached her ears but did little

etly at her, holding the door open. He nodded, signaling A

of entering the room, her friend excused himself and closed the

nds nervously, too afraid to look at her dom

th surprise. She swallowed hard, took a deep breath to c

er, for some reason, being in Altezza's office now made Adaline feel extremely nervous, as if she were waiting for a severe judgment from a judge for committing

*

r tied in a ponytail standing nervously before him. Was she Adaline? She seemed diminutive, more like a high scho

re, and certainly far from Jovanka's proportional figure. The girl's height barely reached

d softly, leading the g

bowed politely as she entered, and Duncan held her back until Adaline followed him inside. His assista

tood nervously, her small hands clasped together. She wore no jewelry, no

ck of the girl. Observing closely, he saw no

world where women often competed to look beautiful by wearing expensive j

to move from her standing position. Altezza could sense her nervous

en who challenged him, and women who pretended to be shy in his presence. But this was the

e wasn't that in

" he began, and he saw t

fly lifting her head to look at Altezza b

seemed dealing with this

loan you applied for from the company. Are you aware th

. I've already given my house certificate to Mrs. Jessica as collateral. I've even stated the amount I can afford to be deducted every

onestly, he found her cute. Seeing Adaline

working here ten years from now, or

sured and without other options so th

For a fraction of a second, their gazes clashed, and Altezza noticed the girl's face. H

of the loan I applied for," she continued in a soft tone, lowering her

was beautiful. Very beautiful. And for a moment, he was

an't assess the value of the house in this 'urgent' time. As a businessman, I need to be sure whether the house you've pledged indeed has a high

tha

edged today. And I can't simply grant your request. I need time to cal

eted," Altezza stated. Hearing the length of time he mentioned made Adaline panic. Thr

hange Altezza's mind, but s

hough your matter is urgent, I have to consider everything from all sides. Even if you promise to repay it all, I still

the company's policies. And Adaline would do the same if she were in Altezza's position. Howe

ir, Altezza smiled. Hi

many factors. But on a personal level, I think I can

gain, looking at Altezza