"Because you're valuable!" Gwenda said quickly and confidently. "My studio has just been established and needs talented people like you."

"But I don't think I'm valuable," Hayden said dejectedly. In recent years, every piece of work he had composed had vanished after release. With this track record, how could he possibly be valuable?

"Mr. Simmons, you have to believe in yourself, and in my judgment," Gwenda said comfortingly. "You know Cecilia Kelly, right? When she left KG Entertainment, she was in a similar situation. But look at her now—a brilliant artist getting the attention she deserves."

Gwenda's voice was strong and powerful. Her confidence moved Hayden, and hope kindled in his heart. Seeing his hesitation, Gwenda continued quickly.

"I'm not asking you to leave the company and join my studio today. I'll give you time to consider, but I hope you'll decide soon. Time waits for no one!"

She gave him her business card. "Here's my card. Contact me anytime you've made a decision." She grabbed her handbag and started to leave.

Hayden gazed at her, his grip on the card tightening as he gritted his teeth and stopped her. "Miss Evans"

Gwenda stopped, a sense of joy rising as she thought, "He's taken the bait."

"Will you pay my liquidated damages?"

Turning, Gwenda said, "That's no problem. Compensation isn't an issue either. I'll pay whatever you need." Hayden looked down, sighing in relief. Looking up, he smiled. "Okay, I agree." Gwenda smiled joyfully. "Wonderful!"

Having secured Hayden, Gwenda felt immensely relieved and left the café in high spirits. The moment she got into her car, her phone rang. She saw an unknown number.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Miss Evans, I'm Otto Roux."

Gwenda was stunned. Olivier's face flashed in her mind. "Mr. Roux, is something wrong?"

"Are you free, Miss Evans? My boss urgently needs your assistance."

"What happened?" Gwenda asked, frowning, her heart skipping a beat.

"It's a long story. Basically, his grandmother is constantly urging him to marry and has arranged a blind date banquet. She says he must bring a girl home, or she'll starve herself." Otto’s tone was exaggeratedly sorrowful.

Learning Olivier wasn't in trouble, Gwenda relaxed. "Then what does this have to do with me?"

Otto was stunned. "Huh? Why isn't this going as planned?" he muttered.

"Did you call me to solve this?" Gwenda asked, puzzled. "But I don't know Olivier's grandmother. How can I help?"

"You absolutely can help, Miss Evans!" Otto said enthusiastically. "You're the only one who can!"

Gwenda facepalmed. Otto clearly misunderstood. "Mr. Roux, Olivier and I aren't romantically involved."

"I know." (Because if they were, I wouldn't be trying this hard.)

Otto continued earnestly, "Miss Evans, he saved your life. He still has a scar from doing so. Now he's in trouble; you can't just stand by, right?"

Gwenda was speechless.