Madison, who had been sitting up against the headboard, slid down and turned toward Sherry. “A driver collects her every morning to take her to her fancy corner office so that she can drink her scotch there instead of her empty mansion, but that’s it. Officially, she’s the chairwoman of Fielding Inc., but… Oh, I don’t know. She was directing today’s meeting but didn’t contribute anything that was even slightly constructive. I’m not sure she even understood everything they were saying. After all, she hasn’t studied business or anything else. And she’s never been anything but the boss, so…”

“And what about you?”

“Huh? I’ve at least got a BA in business studies.”

“I know, but did you understand everything that was said?”

Madison scratched her neck. “Probably more than she did.”

Facing Madison, Sherry propped her chin on her hand. “Do you want to know what I think?”

A grin spread across Madison’s face. “I’ve got a feeling I should say no.”

Sherry grinned back. “You’re really something.”

“Am I?”

The way Madison asked caused heat to spread across Sherry’s body. Is she flirting? She should ignore it and focus on their conversation. “I have the feeling nobody can do right with you. You want your grandmother to believe that you can take responsibility. It’s working. And now you’re only one step away from reaching your goal. And what do you do? You complain about all the work this is causing.”

“Mm-hmm.” She expected Madison to snap at her or turn away, ending their conversation, but instead she asked, “How was your day?”

Wow! After criticizing Madison like that, she hadn’t expected such a considerate question. “Emily, the new hire, couldn’t step in for you because she’s got a bad cold. So Danielle, Jack, and I had to manage without a fourth person.”

Madison lowered her gaze as if feeling guilty.

Sherry touched her arm. “It’s okay. You had more important things to do. Danielle said so too. It’s just…”

“It’s just what?”

She hadn’t wanted to bring it up, but it seemed to be the right thing to do. “Danielle was pretty crestfallen when you called to say that you wouldn’t be coming back.”

“I’d prefer to work at the Archer any day, believe me.”

Sherry was about to ask why she then didn’t do exactly that, but it would’ve been a dumb question. If Madison wanted to get her inheritance, she would have to play by her grandmother’s rules.

When her neck cramped for the maybe the hundredth time that day, Sherry lay back and rubbed the painful spot.

“You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m just a little tense. Maybe a pinched nerve. That’s all. Let’s sleep.”

Madison reached out for the light switch but paused. “Do, um, do you want me to give you a massage?”