The final outcome of the online meeting was a one-month production halt-the absolute limit the crew was willing to accept.

A month later, Madeleine returned to the set with her leg in a cast. For the more challenging scenes, they used a stunt double. For the rest, the director simply relied on close-up shots. It was the best compromise they could manage.

When Madeleine got the news, she was so emotional she called Briony herself to say thank you.

Briony told her to focus on her recovery.

Madeleine promised, again and again, that she wouldn't let the crew or the company down.

After hanging up, Briony glanced at Maynard, who was driving. "Madeleine's a good one."

A sudden downpour turned Westerhaven dark in an instant. Rain hammered the windshield, wipers flailing wildly as Maynard slowed the car to a crawl.

He gave a quiet, knowing smile. "You see echoes of Mary in her, don't you? But everyone's different."

Briony paused, caught off guard. So he'd noticed.

"You're the boss," Maynard reminded her, his voice even and cool, all business. "Never let personal feelings sway your decisions. Madeleine's ambitious. She wants to make it big, and she'll seize any opportunity she can including trying to win points with the boss."

pay extra attention to Madeleine. But I'm getting the sense you don't think

"She's too ambitious."

working hard and aiming high. That kind of drive deserves

said as he steered the black Rolls-Royce into the hotel's underground garage, "if she was all about her career, independent and self- reliant, I'd

"You're that certain?"

unfastened his seatbelt. Turning to face Briony, he raised an eyebrow. "Want to know

Briony blinked. "Why?"

me her

momentarily speechless. The

a beat, Maynard

that look?

commodity,

single, not a whiff of scandal. Half the women

Maynard, you are quite impressive," Briony

"Which is exactly why

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