I'd rather be with you.

Let this one work.

Hailey sat cross-legged on her bed with her laptop open. Her small room hummed with the sound of her standing fan.

“Let me just try,” she muttered, typing “hospital job openings for residents.”

One listing stood out almost immediately.

“BV Hospital?” She clicked on the picture. The hospital loomed large on the screen—modern, impressive, intimidating.

Her heart picked up as she opened the job form.

She filled each line carefully, double-checking her details, her hands slightly shaky.

When she pressed Submit, a soft ping sounded.

If your application is accepted, you will be invited for an interview.

Hailey shut the laptop and lay back, staring at the ceiling.

“Please,” she whispered, “let this one work.”

---

Eric walked through the grand hallway, responding politely to greetings from staff. His calm presence turned heads, especially when he stepped into the elevator. The women inside straightened their blouses and tucked their hair behind their ears, trying not to stare.

He ignored the attention and stepped out when the doors opened.

“Hey, brother,” Emma said from the couch, smiling brightly.

Eric raised a brow. “I thought you wanted to see me alone. Why is she here?”

“What? Are you upset I’m here?” Emma teased.

“Of course not.” He ruffled her hair, and she laughed.

But the governor didn’t.

“I called you because your sister refuses to go to work in any of my establishments,” he said, irritation sharp in his tone.

Emma’s smile disappeared.

“She wants to go into fashion,” the governor continued as though it were an offense.

“I love fashion,” Emma said quietly. “I’m good at it.”

“And you want to embarrass me?” he snapped.

Emma flinched.

Eric leaned forward. “Dad, she’s talented.”

“I didn’t bring you here to encourage her foolishness,” the governor barked.

“She’s already made dresses for celebrities,” Eric said. “She has something real going for her.”

The governor slammed his hand on the desk. “Just because you disobeyed us doesn’t mean she should follow.”

Eric didn’t flinch. “Not everyone wants politics. I’m happy running my architecture firm. And she deserves to be happy too.”

“If you insist on supporting this nonsense,” the governor said coldly, “then you can pay her tuition.”

Emma’s voice wavered. “Dad—”

“I’ll pay,” Eric said immediately.

He stood and left the office without waiting for approval.

A few minutes later, Emma hurried after him.

“I’ll take you home,” he said.

“I drove here,” she murmured.

“I’ll have someone take your car.”

She nodded and got in. The moment the door shut, the tension she’d held in her shoulders loosened.

“Why didn’t you tell him you started fashion school last year?” Eric asked as he pulled out.

Emma snorted weakly. “Did you see how he reacted today? Imagine if he knew the whole truth.”

Eric shook his head. “I already started paying your fees. Might as well keep going.”

She looked at him, touched. “Thank you.”

“No need. Just focus on what you love. You’re good at it.”

She studied his profile. “Wait—how did you even know about the red-carpet dresses? That was supposed to be a secret.”

Eric smiled faintly. “I keep up with you. That’s all.”

She gave him a side-eye. “Stalker.”

“It’s not stalking.”

“Whatever you say,” she muttered, rolling her eyes as he laughed.

Calvin pushed open the boardroom door, loosening his tie as he walked with Jane beside him.

“What’s left on my schedule?” he asked, his voice tired but steady.

“You’re expected at the Era Group product launch,” Jane replied, tapping on her tablet. “You told the chairman you’d be present.”

“Cancel it.”

She froze mid-step and looked at him. “Sir… your father insisted you attend.”

Calvin turned to her, expression unreadable at first—then he gave a small, relaxed wink. “He’ll understand. Something more important came up.”

Jane let out a breathy chuckle. “As you say, sir.”

He nodded once and headed toward the elevator. As soon as the doors slid shut, he pulled out his phone. His chest tightened when he saw no message from Janice. Still unread. Every bubble of hope he’d been clinging to fizzled.

What is going on with you, Janice?

He called her. No answer. A second try. Nothing.

By the time he reached the car park, irritation had begun to simmer beneath his ribs. He drove off quickly, the city blurring past his windows as he headed to her house.