"Ms. Clarke, are you here to make fun of me or pretend to pity me because of my situation?" Simone inquired with a slight smile on her face.

Ariel paused in her tracks. "Neither. Some of the gigs that I received were yours to begin with, so I'd like to return them to you."

"There's no need for that." Simone leaned against the couch lazily. "I did all I could just to reach the height I'm at right now. There's no need for me to snatch your resources. Then again, is it possible that …"

She raise