AUTHOR'S POV

“She's quitting,” Andrew said through gritted teeth as he barged into Zalden's office.

Zalden stared at him, dumbfounded for a while before finally speaking. “What are you talking about?”

“Belle. She's quitting,” he snorted. “Is that what you wanted? For her to quit on her own? I didn't take you for such a person.”

“She's quitting,” the words replayed in his head, and his fingers froze midway to the keypad.

Zalden's stomach churned at the news. “Of ...