Chapter 55

Chapter 55:

Madisyn’s question hung in the air, and a wave of unease swept over the garden. Dane and Elaine exchanged a glance, both hesitant to answer. Elaine reached out, gently taking Madisyn’s hand, her expression softening with a hint of sadness.

“Howard’s health isn’t great right now,” Elaine said softly. “We’re not sure when he’ll be able to come home.”

Madisyn felt a pang of guilt for asking, immediately sensing the weight of the situation. “I hope he recovers soon,” she said sincerely, quickly changing the subject. “What about Waylon?”

Dane’s expression shifted, a flash of jealousy creeping into his tone. “Why? Do you need something from him?”

Madisyn blushed slightly, caught off guard. “No, not really.” She wasn’t about to admit she wanted Waylon to accompany her to Andrew’s house to enjoy some good food.

Elaine, sensing the tension, explained, “Waylon’s on set for a few months. He’s been gone for over a month already, so he should be back in a few days.”

“That’s good to know,” Madisyn replied, nodding thoughtfully. A few more days felt manageable, but she couldn’t shake the sense that Dane’s reaction had been more intense than expected.

The following morning, something unusual happened—Dane joined the family for breakfast, which was rare given his busy schedule. He even offered to drive Madisyn to work.

“Madisyn, I transferred a million to your account this morning,” Dane said casually over breakfast, smiling warmly. “Use it for whatever you need, and if you need more, just let me know.”

Madisyn blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Dane, I don’t need that,” she replied, wondering if this was how her family expressed affection—through lavish gifts.

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Dane waved off her protest. “What’s mine is yours. Don’t hesitate to use it.”

Madisyn decided not to argue further, sensing Dane’s determination. She simply nodded.

As they drove to the office, Dane inquired about the upcoming product launch. “Is everything ready for the big day?”

“Yes, we’re all set,” Madisyn replied confidently, her thoughts drifting to the final preparations.

That evening, the production was completed smoothly, and everyone at Natural Beauty had a chance to try the new products. The excitement was palpable, and it gave the team a much-needed boost of confidence.

Later, Brenda approached Madisyn with some unexpected news. “Miss Johns, I came across a post from Mina. She and Michelle have both joined Miggie Skincare.”

Madisyn paused briefly. “Is that so?” she asked calmly.

“Yes, Miggie Skincare has been our top competitor lately, and it feels wrong for them to leave our company for a rival,” Brenda said, clearly concerned.

Madisyn remained composed. “Their decisions are their own. We’ll focus on ourselves.”

“But they’re launching a new product at the same time as us! What if they overshadow us?” Brenda pressed.

“Then they’re simply out of luck,” Madisyn responded with a confident smile, putting Brenda’s worries to rest. The team admired her self-assuredness, and it motivated them to work even harder.

As the day of the product launch approached, the atmosphere was electric. Prus Mall, a premier location for skincare brands, was the stage for both Natural Beauty and Miggie Skincare’s simultaneous launches. The mall was packed with customers and onlookers, eager to witness the head-to-head competition.

Miggie Skincare had pulled out all the stops, even bringing in celebrities to boost their appeal. The crowd at their booth was impressive, and whispers filled the air.

“Natural Beauty is really daring to go up against Miggie Skincare. Isn’t that a bit reckless?”

“Miggie Skincare’s got celebrities and a massive following. Natural Beauty can’t compete with that!”

Susan was busy assisting customers at Natural Beauty’s booth, helping them sample the products and explaining their benefits. One girl, in particular, seemed hesitant, looking around nervously.

“Can I help you with anything?” Susan asked kindly.

The girl glanced at her, her expression guarded. “I’m just looking. I probably can’t afford anything here,” she muttered, her eyes shifting away.

“That’s alright! Feel free to try our products anyway. You don’t need to buy anything today. It’s always nice to experience quality skincare, right?” Susan smiled warmly, offering her a sample.

The girl hesitated, then took the sample, her tough exterior slowly melting. “Really? I can try it?”

“Absolutely!” Susan responded, gently applying the product while explaining its benefits.

As the girl looked up, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She had come to the mall with the intention of mocking Natural Beauty, hoping to see their failure. But Susan’s genuine kindness had disarmed her completely, and now, she felt guilty for her earlier thoughts.

The day wasn’t over yet, but it was clear that Natural Beauty was making an impact, one customer at a time.

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