Chapter 36


    As the first light of dawn crept through the curtains, Matilda was already stirring. Today, she was due at


    the studio, but no sooner had she stepped inside than she was met with Gideon’s furrowed brow.


    “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.


    Her brother rarely looked so troubled.


    “The partnership’s been axed.” Gideon was staring intently at her face, his words heavy with


    disappointment. “It’s not just the deal we had in ce; next month’s prospects… they’ve all been


    severed out of the blue.”


    A jolt shot through Matilda, and by the time she regained herposure, she was eximing in


    disbelief, “What’s going on?”


    “It’s simple. We’ve stepped on someone’s toes.” Gideon articted each word as if it took all his


    strength. “Someone’s got the clout to make every manufacturer in Ashton City too scared to work with


    us. Even some firms overseas have retracted their interest, spooked by the warnings…”


    Listening to Gideon’s analysis, a thought crystallized in Matilda’s mind..


    It was Yvan, it had to be Yvan…


    He was using his influence to show them that all these years, it had been Yvan who let them be, and if


    he wanted to crush Matilda, it wouldn’t take more than a breath!


    “I’ll confront him!”


    Gideon was shaking with rage. “What does he want after all? Five years ago, he brought our family to


    ruin, and now, five yearster, he’s still hounding us!”


    Matilda sank into the studio’s couch, feeling as if all her strength had been sapped in an


    instant.


    After a long silence, she lifted her head, her eyes brimming with destion. “He want Logan.”


    Gideon visibly shuddered.


    “He’s forcing my hand, making me send Logan to him through these tactics.” Matilda’s fingers clenched


    involuntarily. “But I…”


    She didn’t want to yield, to hand her son over to that scoundrel!


    “It’s okay, we’ll keep looking. Maybe someone will lend us a hand,” Gideon reassured her, standing by


    her side. “Matilda, you’re Dawn. How could you be ckballed? Someone’s bound to recognize your


    talent!”


    Matilda nodded, her eyes red, and moved to theputer. “Come on, let’s keep searching. Maybe


    some private independent studios will take our orders.”


    1/2


    Chapter 36


    Gideon watched her rigid back, heaving a deep sigh in his heart.


    His sister was too strong, always acting as if she could hold up the sky. Often, he felt powerless.


    Powerless to protect Matilda, powerless to protect Logan.


    When would this situation change?


    Meanwhile, Yvan was seated in his executive office as Carl presented him with the neatly organized


    reports. With respectful deference, Carl spoke, “Sir, we have confirmed that threepanies have


    already canceled their contracts with Ms. Thompson’s firm…”


    Yvan sat there, seemingly indifferent, but casually inquired, “And Matilda’s reaction?”


    “She hasn’t reacted.” Carl hesitated before continuing. “After the contracts were terminated, it seems


    Ms. Thompson and her team didn’t seek to defend their interests. The termination was technically a


    breach by the other party, but they’ve made no move to argue on their behalf.”


    Matilda’s inaction had clearly irked Yvan. He widened his eyes in disbelief and repeated, “How is that


    possible?”


    To have business stolen and partnerships halted would spell disaster for any studio, akin to being


    cklisted.


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Yet, why were they so calm?


    Was Matilda gearing up for an all–out war with him?