?Chapter 173:

    Katelyn raised her eyes to meet Vincent’s, their gazes intertwining. Her eyes betrayed a hint of worry, while Vincent’s were shadowed, concealing any trace of his true feelings. She gripped the edge of her clothing tightly with her right hand, a small detail that Vincent’s keen eyes noticed.

    He spoke in a calm, measured tone. “I told you before not to get too worked up about what people are saying online. What matters more to me is your physical and mental health.”

    The first part of his statement had already taken Katelyn by surprise, but the second part left her utterly stunned. In the digital age, shouldn’t he be worried about how these issues could affect hispany? Yet Vincent’sposure never wavered. He even said that her well-being was more important than any financial setbacks thepany might face. The more she thought about his words, the more personal they seemed.

    Katelyn then remembered how Vincent had shown her care from the beginning. Could it be that he had feelings for her? Just as this thought began to form, she quickly pushed it away. Impossible. She wasn’t one to indulge in self-delusion. Vincent was likely just trying to ease her guilt and self-me.

    Katelyn bit her lower lip, her eyes determined as she tightly clenched her fist. “What about Mr. Adams? After this project ends, if you’re pleased with my work, I’ll design for yourpany next quarter,pletely free of charge.”

    Earlier, when Vincent had helped Katelyn secure the Star Series jewelry, she had sent money to his ount, but he had quickly returned it. If she tried to pay him again, he would certainly refuse. But if it was framed as part of their ongoing project, he might ept.

    Vincent hesitated for a moment before nodding and pulling a document from his desk. He ced it in front of Katelyn.

    “Take a look at this employment contract.”

    Katelyn picked up the contract and skimmed through it before looking up at Vincent, stunned. The document was a formal offer from the Adams Group, inviting her to join as a full-time employee—the manager of the jewelry design department,plete with an impressive sry and benefits.

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    She had always worked as a frencer and had never signed such a contract before.

    “Mr. Adams, this…” Katelyn’s voice faltered, hesitation clear in her eyes.

    She had spent years avoiding long-term contracts to maintain her freedom. For a designer, inspiration was everything. A flexible lifestyle and a calm mind were crucial for creating great work, unlike a rigid job that drained creativity. Though Katelyn’s designs were few, each was a perfect creation.

    Noticing her unease, Vincent said, “Don’t worry. I won’t set demanding targets or strict standards. As long as you help lead the team to meet project goals when needed, you’ll have plenty of freedom the rest of the time.”

    His words made it even harder for Katelyn to refuse. She had been looking for a chance to repay Vincent for his support after all.

    Katelyn’s grip on the contract tightened. “I’ll sign it.” She picked up the pen and signed at the bottom of the document.

    Katelyn’s handwriting was strikingly beautiful. It was often said that handwriting reflects the person, and this was certainly true for Katelyn. Her writing was elegant and fluid,bining grace with firm strength, much like her own nature—calm and collected, but with clear personal boundaries.

    A woman’s beauty could be a powerful advantage, but on its own, it was not always enough.

    As Katelyn focused on signing, she missed the slight curve of Vincent’s lips—a barely visible smile that anyone close to him would recognize as a sign of satisfaction.

    After she finished, Katelyn handed the document back to Vincent. He took the pen and signed the contract with his bold, confident handwriting.

    His script was a sharp contrast to Katelyn’s delicate penmanship.

    Their names, side by side, felt as if they were momentarily united in that shared space.

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