Chapter 36 Targeted " So that was the story , " Hillary said . Nancy's heart sank as she finally understood the subtle dejection she had sensed in Gideon . Even someone as distinguished as Gideon carried a painful past . Later that night , they spoke for a while before returning to their rooms . By morning , everyone had risen and departed one after another . Gideon headed back to Fuller Group's subsidiary . Not long after , Winter called and sobbed , " Gideon , why didn't you accept my gift ? Is there something else you want ? " " There's no need for that , Ms. Seabourne , " Gideon said coldly , ending the call . After wrapping up his work , Gideon rose from his desk and headed for the door , only to find his assistant , Corey Lawson , pacing anxiously in the hallway . " Is something wrong ? " Gideon asked . The moment Corey saw him, his nerves spiked . After a brief hesitation , he quickly tucked a small box behind his back . " No , Mr. Fuller . Nothing at all . " Gideon's tone remained calm . " What's that ? " Corey's forehead was beaded with cold sweat . He was finished . There was no way he could let Gideon see what he was holding . As Gideon's personal assistant , Corey knew one of his absolute taboos was that Gideon never accepted gifts on his birthday . The only reason Corey hesitated this time was that the gift came from Nancy . Now that he had come back to his senses , he realized it wouldn't make a difference even if the gift was from Nancy . Even a deity wouldn't be allowed to give Gideon a gift that day . " It's really nothing ... " Corey replied , only to see Gideon extend his hand . A strong wave of pressure washed over him . Steeling himself , Corey took out the gift box . " Mr. Fuller , it's from Ms Moore . That's why I wasn't sure if I should give it to you . " Corey squeezed his eyes shut , bracing himself for what would come next . But after a long while , the chilling air around Gideon faded . Corey opened his eyes and found Gideon looking at the open box . A faint smile appeared on Gideon's icy face , and there was even a glimmer of warmth in his eyes . Corey blinked in surprise , wondering what was going on . Chapter 36 Targeted 2/2 " You did well . From now on , anything Nancy gives me , bring it straight to me , " Gideon instructed . " Yes, Mr. Fuller , " Corey replied . Gideon studied the obsidian rosary beads in the box , along with the card . The handwriting was both delicate and bold . " People say that obsidian can absorb all worries and usher in new beginnings . Somewhere in this world , there is someone who wishes for your happiness every single day . May this bring you good fortune . " She hadn't spoken a word , yet Gideon knew she understood everything . He knew his mother loved him dearly , yet a deep sense of self - reproach weighed on him . He despised his birthday and wished he could avoid the day altogether . But then he realized that if his mother could see him now , she would be even more heartbroken . She had loved him with all her heart . Gideon tightened his grip on the bracelet , the cool touch clearing the fog in his mind . Meanwhile , at Duran Corporation , sales were still skyrocketing . The entire company buzzed with excitement . With salaries tied directly to performance , this month's paycheck would be the highest anyone had ever seen . But where joy bloomed , sorrow was never far behind . At Blossom Corporation , Rebecca had just arrived at the office when , shortly after clocking in , she received a notification from HR . " You're late . As per company policy , your perfect attendance bonus will be deducted . " Rebecca was taken aback . " But this is the first time I've ever been late . " HR responded , " Do you really think we don't know about the other times you've come in late ? " The company had never called her out before , so she'd assumed a few minutes past start time didn't matter , especially since she'd landed the job through connections . Frustrated , Rebecca gritted her teeth and vented to a colleague , but they only offered a few polite , noncommittal words before turning back to their work . She got through the morning and had lunch with a few others who had also left Duran Corporation Afterward , they headed to the restroom together . Not long after , voices drifted in from outside . " Haha , that's hilarious . You know what Rebecca told me today ? She was complaining about the company deducting her pay ! Who else can she blame for being late ? Honestly , she's got no work ethic . It's probably what you'd expect from someone who came from such a small company . "