Chapter 131
Audrey’s POV
“Audrey, come to my office for a moment.”
The next morning, I’d barely stepped through the studio’s doors when George Mei’s voice called out to me. With a sigh, I made my way to his office, where the balding middle–aged man sat behind his desk with an unusually bright smile. He pushed a document across the desk toward me.
“You did great work yesterday,” he said. “Mr. Parker from Parker Group wants our studio to provide jewelry for his future fiancée and sister at major events, and he specifically requested you to handle. it. His eyes studied my face. “You knew about this, right?”
I nodded. After Blake’s phone call yesterday at the photoshoot, I’d expected this conversation – just not this early in the morning. The ink on my divorce papers was barely dry, and here was Blake, already inserting himself back into my life.
George’s expression turned serious. “I know your relationship with Mr. Parker and his fiancée is… complicated… but this is a huge opportunity we can’t miss.” He gestured toward the document. “Your designs need this kind of attention to succeed. Don’t you agree?”
“I understand,” I replied simply.
Seeing I wasn’t objecting, George brightened. He pushed the contract closer. “This supplements your employment agreement. From now on, you’ll be both designer and jewelry assistant for Miss Rose and Miss Parker.” He cleared his throat. “Triple workload… You’ll need to take care of them
perfectly.”
I frowned slightly as I glanced at the contract. Then I decisively picked up the pen and signed the document. After all, this was about getting my designs to market, not about my feelings.
I pushed the contract back across the desk.
“Has the client provided feedback on my design proposal?” I asked.
George looked startled by my calmness. “Yes, yes, they have!”
e nodded repeatedly as he handed me a document folder. I took it with a slight smile.
He
I’ll go make
“Then I’ll go make the revisions.”
I turned to leave, my hand already on the doorknob when George’s voice stopped
“Audrey.”
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I paused but didn’t turn around.
“Don’t you… feel humiliated?”
His question hung in the air between 15.
I stood still for a moment, finally understanding what he meant. Having just divorced and joined a
ew company only two days ago, I was now being forced to sign an agreement to serve my ex- husband’s current partner. Any woman would find this unbearable. Yet here I was, calm and collected, as if this was just another business transaction.
“There’s nothing humiliating about it. My gaze rested calmly on George. I also hope the studio gains more recognition so my designs can reach the market faster.”
I didn’t say what I was really thinking: I didn’t have much time left. My final wish before dying was to see my jewelry designs hit the market, fulfilling the promise I’d made to Rachel Hayes. I had sworn that even with Rachel gone, I would strive to fulfill our shared dream. Now, with only one step remaining to achieve this wish, I was naturally determined to give it my all.
George observed my determined expression and couldn’t help but sigh,
“Audrey,” he said, his voice softening. “If this actually succeeds… you’ll be our studio’s hero.”
“Go on, get to work.”
I nodded and left with the documents.
Back at my workstation, I opened the client feedback file and spent the next several hours making
revisions.
By evening, when most of my colleagues were packing up to leave, I had completed less than a fifth of the changes. I stretched lazily, my back protesting from sitting hunched over my desk all day. I gathered my things, ready to head home for a much–needed rest.
“Audrey!” George’s voice called out just as I was about to walk out the door. I turned to see him gesturing for me to come back to his office.
Once inside, I found him looking resigned, almost apologetic.
“I’ve just received word that Miss Rose and Miss Parker will be attending a very important, formal ceremony tomorrow night…” he began, not quite meeting my eyes. “They’ll be coming to the studio shortly to select jewelry for tomorrow… You’ll need to work overtime to assist them.”
I paused, suddenly remembering what tomorrow was – Blake’s proposal to Laurel R
Laurel and Thalia planned to wear pieces from this small
ry design studio?
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That made no sense. Those attending tomorrow would he Blake and Laurel’s friends and family New York’s elite social circle. These high society people loved to compare everything what they wore, what they accessorized with. Anything that wasn’t from an internationally renowned luxury brand would be dissected and ridiculed.
Was this kind of occasion really suitable for our studio’s work? Wasn’t Laurel afraid of being ridiculed?
“Audrey,” George’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. He smiled awkwardly. “Mr. Parker only made this request yesterday, asking that both ladles wear our studio’s designs when attending public
events.”
He adjusted his glasses nervously. “Today they’ve already contacted us, which shows their appreciation and trust in our studio’s work, you…”
I frowned and interrupted him. “Mr. Mei, do you really believe that Miss Rose and Miss Parker are doing this because they appreciate our studio’s designs?”
My voice was calm but firm. “You know perfectly well what my relationship with them is like, don’t
you?”
When Blake made the request yesterday, he clearly stated that Laurel and Thalia should wear Original Studio’s pieces when attending public events. Although his words certainly weren’t kind at the time, upon reflection, I thought he might genuinely be trying to help this new studio. After all, Thalia and Laurel’s public profiles were rising, and the jewelry they wore would definitely attract
attention.
But tomorrow was a proposal ceremony. For such an occasion, Laurel and Thalia should be wearing jewelry of premium quality and reputation. Yet they sought out Original Studio, sought me out. And they didn’t mention it earlier or later, but waited until I was about to leave work….
I didn’t believe this was coincidental.
Seeing his carefully crafted lie dismantled without mercy, George could only smile awkwardly.
“Of course I know… but Audrey, you agreed to the terms this morning and signed the contract,” he said, sounding desperate. “Tonight counts as their first collaboration with you…”
While speaking, George pulled a thick envelope from his drawer and placed it on the table.
“Audrey, just consider it overtime. Try to endure it.”
I frowned at the envelope.
When I willingly signed the agreement this morning, I had already resolved to pursue my design goals, even if it meant dealing with these two women and Blake.
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But I hadn’t expected to face them immediately tonight, during my personal time, after a full day of work. And helping Laurel select jewelry for Blake’s proposal? That made my heart ache.
I took a deep breath and looked away from the money.
“Mr. Mel, this isn’t about money,” I said quietly. I’m really tired today. I don’t want to waste my personal time catering to those two women’s unreasonable demands.”
Just as I finished speaking, an icy male voice sounded from the doorway behind me.
“Unreasonable?”
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