?Chapter 943:


    “Wait a sec,” he called, his voice slicing through the quiet like a hook.


    Yvonne paused halfway up the stairs and turned around slowly.


    He stood near the doorway, a navy tie dangling from his hand. When their eyes met, he lifted it slightly with a smug grin.


    “Help me out here.” His voice dripped with mischief, clearly enjoying her reaction to the title.


    “Do it yourself. I couldn’t care less if you wear it or not.” Her voice was ice-cold, and she didn’t even bother to look at him as she turned her back.


    Unfazed, Norton spoke lightly. “Funny. I heard your loan’s due this month. I’d hate for a little dy to make things… ufortable.”


    Yvonne froze mid-step, her fists tightening at her sides. She forced herself to stayposed, her jaw clenched so tight it ached.


    One day, when her family was debt-free, she would convert every bill into coins and dump them right on his bed, maybe even pelt a few at his smug face while she was at it.


    Grinding her teeth, she took a deep breath, swallowing her pride like broken ss. She turned back and stomped down the stairs, stopping directly in front of him.


    Without warning, she grabbed his cor and yanked him down to her level. Her fingers looped the tie around his neck and yanked it into a lopsided knot without the slightest care. “There. All set. Now get lost.”


    She spun around, stormed to the door, and yanked it open like she was throwing him out.


    Norton nced down at the crooked knot and gave a low chuckle. “Guess that’ll pass for today.”


    Then he leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “Don’t forget about tonight.”


    Yvonne shoved him hard, nearly knocking him off bnce as she snapped, “In your dreams!”


    The door mmed behind him, and she let out a breath. No way she was going to that dinner with him.


    Once she had finally seen him off, she practically sprinted upstairs and copsed back into bed for a well-earned second nap.


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    The hours melted away, and before she knew it, the clock had hit noon.


    After scarfing down a quick lunch, she snuggled up with herptop.


    Shebed through industry blogs and portfolio sites, studying magazines and the kinds of employees they liked. The hours blurred as she lost herself in the details.


    Once dinner was over, she was right back at her screen, fingers tapping away with quiet determination.


    Her inbox had been dinging nonstop for hours, but she hardly even flinched anymore.


    Rejection had be her new normal—thanks for that, Norton.


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