Just as Mr. Ferg walked away, leaving James with a dull, lingering headache, Taylor appeared at his side. She handed him a letter, her voice quiet.
"It's from your parents."
James unfolded the letter and skimmed it, his jaw tightening. He clenched it in his hand.
"So... they're not coming back. Again."
Taylor's tone remained soft. "Yes. It seems they're enjoying themselves."
He let out a bitter laugh. "Enjoying themselves, right. While I'm stuck here, running their empire."
Taylor glanced at him, cautious. "You're handling it well, though. The company's thriving under you."
He stuffed the letter into his pocket, his voice clipped. "Thriving? I'm duct-taping this place together. And they're off on an endless vacation. You'd think they'd care a little more."
Taylor paused just before his office door, her expression softening. "Maybe they trust you. Maybe they think... you don't need them anymore."
"Or maybe they just don't care," he muttered bitterly.
Taylor hesitated, sensing the weight behind his words but unsure how to respond. After a beat, she straightened her posture, shifting back into her professional tone.
"Sir, Sung's representative will be here next week to finalize the terms. I left another envelope on your desk with their latest correspondence."
James's anger flared. "Great. More work."
He pushed open the office door and walked in, running a hand through his hair. Taylor followed but kept a respectful distance.
He exhaled heavily and sank into the edge of his desk. "You ever get tired of this?"
She blinked, caught off guard. "Sir?"
"This. All of it. The company. The meetings. The fake smiles. The bullshit letters from people who are supposed to care but don't. You ever just want to walk away?"
Taylor stepped closer, standing across from his desk. "It's exhausting, yes. But... it's what I signed up for."
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "That's the problem. I didn't sign up. I inherited this mess."
Taylor's gaze softened. "You're stronger than you think, James. You don't just run the company, you keep it alive. That's not nothing, especially with all the pressure."
He spoke quietly, more to himself than to her. "Yeah... well, some days it doesn't feel like enough."
A heavy silence settled between them. Taylor shifted uncomfortably, then took a step closer, speaking gently.
"James... if you ever need to talk, really talk, you know I'm here, right?"
He looked up, surprised by her sincerity. "You'd do that? After everything I've put you through?"
She offered a small, reluctant smile. "It's part of my other job... sir."
A soft chuckle escaped him. He shook his head. "Still with the 'sir.' You enjoy driving me crazy, don't you?"
She grinned faintly. "Only when you deserve it."
The tension eased slightly as they shared a quiet, awkward laugh. But the moment was short-lived. James blinked, his vision suddenly blurring. A wave of dizziness rolled through him. He gripped the edge of the desk, struggling to steady himself.
"Taylor... I don't feel—"
His legs buckled. He collapsed.
"James!" Taylor gasped, rushing to his side.
She dropped to her knees beside him, her voice trembling. "James, can you hear me?"
His body lay limp. She gently shook him, panic rising as she fumbled for her phone with shaking hands.