"Director Lina!"


    "Wee back!"


    All of the employees quickly rushed forward with wide eyes and bouquets of flowers. They greeted her warmly and she shed them her brightest smile.


    "Thank you," Lina stated in an amiable voice, and she truly meant it. "You''ve all worked hard."


    At her touching words, they paused and nced at each other in delight.


    "Bonuses for everyone''s dedication," Lina added with a slight wink, for the month was ending and ies were going to be distributed soon. Before she could hear their gratitude, she turned the corner with a location in mind.


    "I am surprised your husband allowed us to leave," Este finally spoke up with a curious gaze.


    "Because he knows there''s nothing to love about that man," Lina responded vaguely with a slight frown whilst smoothing out the folds of her white dress.


    When Este revealed the news, Kaden didn''t even blink. He continued to drink his coffee, but with an amused smile. When they made eye contact, he curled a brow. On her way out, he gave her a warm kiss on the head and wished her a good day at work. She wondered why he was staying home today. Was he finally taking a break? He really needed one.


    "Lina."


    Antis rose to his feet the second she walked through the doors. She was as beautiful as he hadst remembered. In fact, with the passing months, her allure had only grown more powerful. She was practically glowing with health and he didn''t even have to ask. He knew what happened. He was no fool.


    "You…" Antis didn''t even know where to begin. He couldn''t find it in himself to me Kaden. They both knew how low her survival rate was. Anything that could save her, Antis would''ve done it too.


    "A VIP client," Lina addressed whilst directing him to sit. "Limitless Galleria is happy to assist. What kind of piece are you looking for?"


    Antis opened and closed his mouth. He straightened his suit, saw her aloof expression, and shamefully nced at his feet.


    "I''m sorry, Lina."


    "Apology not epted." Lina nced at Este who had already prepared the cup of coffee.


    Este had the coffee brewed in advance, but not too quickly. She slid the cup over, with one milk and one sugar, exactly how he liked it. Antis appeared surprised, but said nothing.


    "You remembered how I like my coffee?" Antis asked, almost bewildered.


    "We know all of our guests'' preferences, we''ve always done research beforehand," Este exined in an affable tone, revealing a thin-lipped smile.


    Antis softly chuckled at her statement. "You make clients feel special. It is no wonder your gallery is booming, Director."


    Lina was surprised that he addressed her properly. There was no disdain or mockery in his voice. Even so, she waited for Este to take a seat and pull out theputer. Usually, they''d jot down what the client wanted verbatim—that way, not a single detail was amiss.


    "What kind of piece are you looking for?" Lina continued, leaning back in her chair to show her engagement.


    "A present for Mia."


    Lina dutifully nodded her head. Este''s quiet typing filled the air.


    "I didn''t approach this galleria just for you, Director," Antis revealed in a somber tone. "You''re the most knowledgeable in terms of history."


    Lina slowly raised her brow.


    "Mia enjoys ancient Ritan scenery—the era before the Second King of Ritan was… well, a King. He had a wife."


    Lina felt every cell in her body freeze. Did Mia know? She nced at Antis, who didn''t reveal an ounce of his thought. Were these two in cahoots?


    "She wants a portrait of the pce, the full moon, and a faint image of the couple. She''s lonely and enjoys scenery where you can''t see the people until you step closer," Antis continued to exin.


    "What is the tone you''d like the piece to portray then?" Lina asked.


    "Happiness, obviously."


    Lina wondered if a star-crossed couple could ever be depicted on a joyous asion. Especially when the Princess killed herself—no thanks to An.


    Even so, Lina maintained her professionalism. She nodded her head. "I''ll ensure every stroke on the piece is historically urate to the era."


    Lina already had an artist or two in mind. She tried to remember if they had any uingmissions to finish, but wasn''t too certain. She had been away from the gallery for far too long.


    ording to Lina''s sources, Este was running all of the meetings with excellence. Though, there were a few disgruntled clients that didn''t enjoy a person typing and not fully engaging the conversation, as Lina and Este usually were.


    "Her birthday is in three months. That should be adequate time toplete the painting," Antis stated whilst pulling out a nk cheque from his suit pocket.


    Antis slid the empty paper over, his signature already signed on it. "Name your price."


    Lina factored everything into the cost. Based on the details, historical uracy, the background, the inclusion of people, nature, buildings, deadlines, and so on, she scribbled down a price and slid the cheque back to him.


    Antis, too, must''ve done his research. She saw his eyes flicker whilst he did the mental math. Then, he nodded his head.


    "Sounds good to me." Antis rose to his feet and offered her a hand.


    Lina shook his palm firmly. She was taught since birth that a handshake was everything when it came to a business deal. It couldn''t be too hard or too soft. You never want toe off as too aggressive or weak. The perfect bnce was important.


    "How about lunch with me?" Antis suddenly said. "A token of a well-agreed sale."


    Este raised her head in time to collect the signed check. She saw the Director''s hesitation. Immediately, she took that as a cue to step in. Then, Lina took both of them by surprise.


    "I have another meeting after this, but yes, lunch should be fine." Lina turned to a nk-faced Este. "Arrange it two hours from now, please."


    Este hurriedly recovered from the shock. She smiled and nodded, her fingers moving vividly across the keyboard. In her youth, she enjoyed gaming, thus, gained the ability to type way too quickly.


    "Lunch with Chairman Medeor has been set in stone, Director."