187 Chapter 187- Maternal Call


    187 Chapter 187 – Maternal Call


    Veronica’s grip tightened around the phone. “I’m on my way.”


    Marco observed the dynamic between Veronica and Dario with keen interest. It became clear that Veronica held the ultimate decision–making power at DataPulse. He stood and sped both their hands in turn. “The pleasure is mine. This partnership will benefit us all.”


    Veronica had just concluded her contract negotiations with Marco. They were preparing to continue their discussions over dinner when her phone rang.


    Cullen settled into the chair beside her bed. Beads of perspiration dotted her forehead despite the room’sfortable temperature. He pulled out his handkerchief and gently dabbed at the moisture. “How’s the pain in your stomach?”


    When they finished their review, Veronica rose from her chair and offered her hand to Marco. “I believe we can build something remarkable together, Mr. Valerie.”


    He allowed Sabrina to maintain her grip on one hand while he used the other to dial


    Veronica’s number.


    They immediately began hammering out the contractual specifics.


    Tonight felt different. She wrapped her small fingers around Cullen’s hand and shook her head weakly. “I need Mom toe home.”


    “I’ll call her,” he promised.


    Without anyone willing to meet with him, Maverick had no choice but to leave empty–handed.


    Maverick arrived at DataPulse that afternoon, carrying himself with his usual air of


    determination.


    Dennis Groupmanded respect in their industry for good reason. Their financial resources ran deep, and their technical team consisted of the most coveted experts money could hire. Cullen himself possessed an expertise that few could match.


    Perhaps that exined his confident approach to this potential partnership. He could afford to wait, to make his move at precisely the right moment.


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    187 Chapter 187 Maternal Call


    .


    Cullen chose not to lecture her about her dietary choices. Instead, he recognized the mncholy that seemed to surround her like a shroud. “Should I call Niall? He could be here in twenty minutes.”


    Dario touched his nose, a telltale sign of his uncertainty. “Cullen knows our business inside and out. His technical background gives him a serious advantage.”


    Marco arrived shortly after Maverick’s departure. Both Dario and Veronica made themselves avable for this meeting.


    After wrapping up the discussion about Niall’s business proposal, Veronica shifted her attention to the other contender. “What’s your take on Dennis Group’s submission?”


    Cullen’s brief exnation had left many questions unanswered. Veronica honestly didn’t know the full extent of Sabrina’s condition. “I think she’s stable, but I need to see for myself.”


    This time, Dario refused to grant him an audience.


    The proposal he had submitted didn’t just meet their standards. It exceeded them by a considerable margin.


    Veronica ignored both attempts. Sabrina seemed to take the hint and didn’t try a third


    time.


    Under normal circumstances, she would have jumped at the opportunity to see him.


    Sabrina’s name appeared on the disy. The call ended, then immediately started.


    again.


    They studied Marco’s revised proposal infortable silence, asionally exchanging meaningful looks. The document impressed them both.


    Coborating with an elite team would eliminate countless headaches down the road. Whatever personal history existed between her and Cullen paled inparison to the project’s sess.


    Veronica absorbed this information without surprise. She had expected as much from


    Cullen’s operation.


    “Better than before,” she lied. The cramping continued to send waves of difort through her abdomen.


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    187 Chapter 187- Maternal Call


    “Dad,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    The raw honesty in her request touched something deep in Cullen’s chest.


    He answered the call and left his office within thirty minutes.


    Cullen’s phone buzzed shortly afterward. Sabrina’s name lit up his screen.


    Sabrina’s affection for Niall was undeniable. But when illness struck and vulnerability crept in, she craved thefort that only Veronica could provide. Despite their asional conflicts, Veronica remained the person Sabrina wanted most during her


    darkest moments.


    “Sabrina has food poisoning. She’s receiving IV treatment at home right now. She’s asking for you,” Cullen exined without preamble.


    The memory of Sabrina’s two earlier calls shed through her mind when she saw Cullen’s name. After a brief hesitation, she epted the call. “Yes?”


    “Base your decision on what’s best for the project,” she instructed. “Nothing else


    should factor into it.”


    Hours passed as they negotiated terms and conditions. The sun had begun its descent toward the horizon when they finally approached a preliminary agreement. At that moment, Veronica’s phone erupted into its familiar ringtone.


    Marco noticed the immediate change in her demeanor and the urgency that had crept into her voice. “Is Sabrina alright?”


    At home, he found Sabrina connected to an IV drip, herplexion worryingly pale against the white pillows. Her eyes brightened slightly when she spotted him in the doorway.


    “Seriously ill?”


    She ended the call and turned to Marco with an apologetic expression. “I’m need to handle a family emergency. Can we reschedule dinner?”


    sorry,


    but I


    “She’s sick,” Veronica confirmed.


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