Chapter One

Grace’s POV

I slammed my hand hard on the table as I glared at the long list of hospitals, but every one had higher prices for my mother’s treatment. 

Frustrated, I dropped my phone onto the table with enough force that would have broken the screen, but honestly at that point, I didn't care.

I had thought about changing my mother’s hospital, hoping to find one that would offer better treatment at a lower price, but it seemed the current hospital she is in was actually the one with the lowest cost. 

“Why don’t I just apply for a loan? I haven’t done that since I started working here, and I might actually be approved.” The thought swirled in my mind as I frustratedly rested my head on the table.

But how was I supposed to do that? Mason Victor’s stony, rarely smiling face intimidates me every time I go into his office. 

But I knew I needed to talk to him. My mother needed to live. I knew if I didn't shake off fear, she might die, and I didn't want that to happen. I haven’t been able to repay all the favors she had done for me, raising me alone from childhood until I finished my masters. I truly don’t want her to die, at least not now. 

But I was so scared of my boss.

I stood up, pacing around my office as I thought about what to do in the situation. 

“Should I secretly sell my mother’s cherished necklace that my damn father gave her?” 

I don’t understand why she clinged to that necklace so much, especially after my father abandoned us when I was just two years old. 

But what would I say to her if she found out? She would be even more heartbroken.

The last time she misplaced the necklace, she nearly went insane looking for it. I just didn’t get what was so special about that necklace.

The ringing of the office intercom jolted me out of my thoughts. I had to hurry to pick it up, I really didn’t want to get scolded again by my no-nonsense boss.

He had been complaining lately about how slow I had been to answer his calls. It wasn’t my fault, though — I had so many problems to deal with, but would he understand that?

“Miss Thomas,” my boss’s deep, intimidating voice came through over the phone.

“Yes, sir,” I replied, quickly composing myself. I definitely didn’t want to ask him to repeat himself, as that would lead to a whole round of trouble for me.

“Come to my office with the file I asked you to work on this morning,” he commanded before hanging up. Reality hit me, I had completely forgotten about the file I needed to finish.

I had been so focused on finding affordable hospitals for my mother that I lost track of the fact that I would be submitting a file by the end of the day.

“Oh no. What am I going to do?” I said as I let out a long hiss.

My heart raced faster than usual as I quickly scrolled through the file. But definitely, I knew I couldn't complete it in just a few seconds. I needed to go and explain myself.

I just hope he didn’t end up firing me. I had been getting queries for the past few months, and now I knew that what I had just done could definitely lead to my dismissal.

I let out a deep sigh, there was nothing I could do. I had to go face him. I walked hurriedly to my boss's office, needing to confront my fear as soon as possible.

With a gentle knock on his door and my hand shaking uncontrollably, I heard his voice say, “Come in.” Fearfully, I stepped inside.

His head was buried in his computer, his eyes darting back and forth as he focused on his work. I stood there, frozen, waiting for him to speak first.

“Just drop the file and leave,” he said without even glancing at me, trembling in place.

“Sir,” I began, my voice quivering.

“I’m not done with it, sir,” my voice trembled as I spoke, and this time he raised his head, his expression darkening. My legs shook so badly that I felt like I might collapse.

“Aren't you in the office since morning?” he asked, and this time his voice sounded calmer than before.

I expected him to shout at me, but the way he spoke indicated that he was in a good mood.

“Maybe I could also ask for the loan together.” I thought 

“I'm sorry, sir. I will be done in less than an hour,” I said again. He just looked at me with his usual disdain.

I had heard he didn’t like having women around him, and I had also noticed he smiled a little at his male staff, while his face was always stern with the female staff.

“Hurry up and do that now,” he said, catching me off guard. I started to leave, but I thought it would be nice to mention the loan as well. If I waited until I finished the file, I might not catch him in a good mood again.

“What are you waiting for?” His voice jolted me from my thoughts, and I slowly turned back to find him scanning me from head to toe, which was unusual for him.

“I... I...” I stammered, unsure of how to begin.

“I am busy, you can see. If you can't talk straight, then you can go,” he blurted out, and I knew I needed to say what I had to say immediately. It felt like the perfect moment for it.

“I want to take a loan, sir, and I will pay it back with my salary,” I rushed out the words, as if delaying it would make them disappear.

He leaned back, his eyes still fixed on me, making my heart raced faster.

The silence was unbearable. I needed him to say something. Will he help or not, I needed to know on time?

“How much?” he asked, shifting his gaze away from me, which made me feel a bit more at ease.

“Thirty thousand dollars. I need it for my mother's Whipple surgery.” He looked surprised at the mention of that. His gaze returned to me, but I quickly averted my eyes. The last thing I wanted was to lock eyes with him, as that would only heighten my fear.

“Your one-year salary is not even close to that,” he chuckled, while I kept my head low, avoiding his gaze.

“I will help you,” he said. I didn't expect it to be that easy, but my joy halted when he added, “My help comes with a condition.”