The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)
Chapter 339

Chapter 339

"Tan't, mom," Steven said, his voice laced with pain.

Seeing that Chloe couldn't offer any viable solutions, he added, "You should go. I need some time to think"

Chloe frowned and scolded him. "You're a grown man! How can you be so heartbroken over a woman

Steven grew more frustrated. "I love her. I don't even know when it started. But the day I realized it, I knew I couldn't live without her."

Chloe sighed. "If you put in enough effort, you'll forget her eventually."

Steven wasn't in the mood to hear more ticism. "I have to work, Men"

În was an obvious attempt to dismiss her. Chloe, understanding her son's willingness to listen, grumbled, "Everything I'm saying is for your own good."

"That's fine. I just need to clear my head now," Steven replied amly

After dishing out a few more sharp remarks about his inability to move on, Chloe finally loft, albeit reluctantly,

Aloin his office, Steven leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling

For the first time, he realized something odd about his circle of abends. When he liked Annalise, no one ever encouraged him to pursue her. But when it came to Jessica, everyone seemed to subtly imply she was the one for him Still, then wasn't the time to che on such things

While working, an idea suddenly struck him-away to see Annalise more often

Her contic was just starting to gain traction, and his company had a department focused on intellectual property development.

He could have his team purchase the rights to her comic and then arrange for her to work directly with him. That would give him a legitimate reason to meet with her r

regularly.

Her comic wasn't hugely popular yet, so it likely wasn't worth much. For a relatively small investment-less than what Jessica's jewelry cost-he could secure consistent opportunities to sen Annalise under the guise of a collaboration. The thought of in brought a smile to his face as he called his secretary, Darren Cole,

When Darrenamed, Steven wasted no time and instructed, "I want you to have our intellectual property team buy the rights to Annalise's comic."

barren was well aware that Steven was trying to create an opportunity to interact with Annalise, but he didn't interne "I'll pass it on to the intellectual property team." Steven felt a wave of read only I'd thought of this earlier."

Then perhaps, he wouldn't have endured so much pain for so long

While testing in my office, my phone rang with

lar number. Frowning, Janquered, "Hels?"

"Hello, I'm from the Intellectual Property Department at Pelham Group," the caller explained. "We're interested in purchasing

Pelum Group was Steven's company,

the rights to your comie. Would you be open to discussing

I had no desire to engage with Steven any further Hence, I answered, "My comic right are already with Hudham Group If there's anything to discuss you can contact them directly." The caber seemed taken aback I didn't pie them a chance to respond and hung up Walking over to Zane, I shared the details of the call with him

Comic intelectual property rights covered a lot-TV and film adaptations, gaming rights and more. But they didn't specify whether they were in

Honestly, in dida't feel like they were serious about buying the rights

Zane did answer directly. Instead, he asked. "What do you think?*

interested in just one or all of them.

"If it were an ordinary company wanting to purchase my comic rights, I might consider it," I replied truthfully. "But since the CEO is Steven, I can't help but question his real motive behind