Chapter 1866

Startled, Marlowe turned sharply, nearly knocking over a coffee cup perched precariously at the tables edge.
Oh my goodness, Im so sorry… she exclaimed, rushing to steady it.
Its fine, really, Ariana reassured her with a small laugh.
Relax, Im far less intimidating than I might appear.
The playful comment made Marlowe relax a bit.
Both women sat there, taking sips of their drinks before Ariana leaned forward, steering the conversation toward the contract.
She laid out her vision for Marlowes future in the entertainment industry, outlining each step with clarity.
Despite her passion for acting, Marlowe lacked a clear understanding of the road ahead, making Arianas guidance invaluable.
Ariana, noticing the slight crease in Marlowes brow, asked gently, Is there anything youd like me to clarify? With a nod, Marlowe began listing her concerns.
Despite the long list of questions, Ariana remained patient, offering thoughtful answers for each one. Once Marlowes questions had been fully addressed, Ariana reached into her bag and pulled out the contract along with a pen.
Both of them then signed their names, making it official.
With the paperwork completed, Marlowe Let out a long breath of relief and expressed her gratitude, saying, Thank you so much for giving me this chance.
Ill make sure to give it my best! Ariana smiled warmly and replied, Youve got a bright future ahead.
Best of luck.
As they walked outside, chatting casually, Ariana thought about returning to the office.
During her recovery, she had gradually eased back into her responsibilities, managing most of them from the comfort of her home.
With Marlowe now officially part of her company, Ariana decided it was the perfect moment to introduce her to the team.
She asked Marlowe to accompany her to the company.
Marlowes hesitation was immediate, her voice carrying a tinge of doubt.
Smiling softly, Ariana reassured her, Its nothing formal, just a chance to meet your new coworkers.
Youll be fine.
Everyone is quite friendly.
Youll see.
After a while, Marlowe finally relented, giving a nod of agreement.
Not long after, they found themselves standing outside the companys entrance.
But what happened next caught them both entirely off guard.
The moment they stepped inside, a loud burst from party poppers echoed through the air.
The company had undergone a vibrant transformation, with colorful balloons in heart shapes scattered across the space and a cheerful welcome mat awaiting them. Before Ariana could fully take in the festive décor, a group of her colleagues appeared from their hiding spots.
Welcome back, Ariana! The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as dozens of confetti cannons went off, filling the air with vibrant colors.
Ariana spotted Tom and the others, warmly greeting them.
In the middle of the excitement, she turned her attention to Marlowe, who stood quietly by her side.
She said, Let me present our newest addition Marlowe, an actress Ive just signed.
Marlowe said, Nice to meet you all; Im Marlowe Bates.
Feel free to call me Marlowe.
I look forward to working with all of you.
The group responded with warmth and enthusiasm, clapping and cheering.
Some even set off another round of confetti cannons in celebration.