Chapter 17
“Caleb, I don’t have time to deal with this. Have you forgotten? I’m supposed to be hosting the international team this week,” Phalicia suddenly said.
Caleb was stunned.
Puzzled, Carlene asked, “The international team?”
“Yes, the inspection team from our partners. They want to distribute our jewelry globally. If we can pull that off, our jewelry line may go
international.”
Phalicia explained unhurriedly while looking at Caleb, “Once we secure the deal, the entire group’s profits will increase at least fivefold. Everyone in the world will know about Voyage Group.”
Turning to Carlene, she continued, “And you, Carlene, you can be a world–class designer.”
Both Caleb and Carlene were slightly stunned, the anticipation in their eyes palpable.
Meanwhile, Phalicia sat back down. “The choice is up to you. If you still want me to redo the design drafts, fine. You won’t hear any objections from me.”
Caleb rested his forehead on his hand, pondering.
Seeing this, Carlene was a bit uneasy. “So, you’re just gonna walk away from the drafts?”
“I never said that. I’m just saying that I won’t redesign them personally.”
0.00%
12370
Chapter 17
Phalicia arched an eyebrow at her.
11
She threw up her hands. “Are you suggesting me? How’s that different from sabotaging the entire collection?”
Hearing this, Phalicia smiled mockingly, the chat records between Caleb and Carlene emerging in her mind.
After condescendingly addressing her designs as tacky, Carlene now admitted that her work was necessary.
Carlene should have known she had nothing to show for it and kept her mouth shut.
How disgusting.
Leaning against the couch, Phalicia remained poised and elegant.
She mused, “Actually, there’s another way. You can find a designer with a style similar to mine to recreate the collection.”
“No way!” Carlene blurted out, her eyes flickering. “What if the word gets out? If so, my reputation will be down the drain. Voyage Group will be implicated, too!”
Frowning slightly, Caleb echoed, “Licia, you’re the only one I trust.”
“Wait till you see this.”
Phalicia tapped on the screen a few times and showed them the resume of a designer.
“Salvatore Faulkner?”
Slightly stunned, Caleb moved his eyes downward to learn more.
Salvatore was a renowned designer, the only student of Freyja. Also, he
30.70%
12:37
Chapter 17
had participated in five international jewelry exhibitions.
“He’s my student.”
Phalicia looked at them with a meaningful smile. “He’s absolutely loyal to me. If I ask, he surely will help. And I promise that he won’t tell anyone about this. Well?”
Meeting her eyes, Caleb weighed the pros and cons silently.
After much hesitation, he nodded and added, “Still, he needs to sign an NDA. Better safe than sorry.”
Phalicia agreed without hesitation and got up to make a call next door.
She said concisely, “Carlene betrayed me.
“I need your help.”
Salvatore said decisively, “Tell me what I need to do.”
***
When it was time to get off work, Phalicia told Caleb that Salvatore had agreed to help.
Sitting in the car, Caleb was texting with someone. He subconsciously shifted slightly sideways toward her, which was a subtle defensive stance.
Glancing at his phone, she said, pretending that she hadn’t seen anything, “Caleb? Are you listening? The problem’s solved.”
“What? Yeah. Thank you, Licia,” he smiled while putting down his phone and grabbing her hand, seeming absent–minded.
Arching an eyebrow, she said, “Something’s bothering you. What’s
wrong?”
61.95%
12.37
Chester 17
He glanced at her hesitantly. “I wanna take you to hang out with my friends in a bar, but I don’t wanna exhaust you.”
“What? That’s not gonna happen. Why would I be exhausted when I’m with you?” she smiled, catching a glimpse of his screen.
12 473
