Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Dead silence filled the room. Everyone’s lips twitched, but not a single person bothered to throw out a snarky comment.
If it had been some internationally renowned designer saying those words, they would probably bow down in respect. But Stella’s name was nowhere to be found in the design world.
Cameron paused, then looked at Jeremy. “Mr. Ford, you’re not seriously just bringing in some random person to entertain us, are you?”
Cameron thought, ‘Today, well, it’s barely been half a day. It’s impossible to come up with a jewelry design that I’d actually approve of in that time. Even I couldn’t do it-how could Stella have any chance?’
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Before Jeremy could respond, the woman who had been first to greet Stella earlier jumped in with a smile, trying to keep things friendly. “Mr. Nunn, maybe Ms. Spencer just misspoke.”
“No,” Stella cut her off. “I meant exactly what I said.”
She gave the woman an apologetic smile, then looked Cameron straight in the eyes. “We’ll find out by the end of today.”
“Alright,” Cameron nodded, his tone mocking. “Let’s see if you can create a jewelry design that impresses me in less than a day.”
Coming up with inspiration and designing wasn’t something that could just be said.
“Could I get a studio to work in?” Stella asked calmly.
Seeing Cameron’s tacit approval, someone was just about to lead Stella to the studio when the woman who had helped her earlier stepped in first. “Ms. Spencer, come with me. I’ll take you there.”
“Alright,” Stella said.
As they left, Jeremy didn’t stick around either. Just as he was about to head out, Cameron called after him, “Mr. Ford, wait a second.”
“Is there something else?” Jeremy turned back.
Cameron nodded. “I want to make a bet with you.”
“What are we betting on?” Jeremy asked.
“Simple. Let’s see if Stella can actually whip up a piece that I’d approve of,” Cameron replied.
Not wanting Jeremy to overthink it, Cameron added, “And just so you know I’m not letting my own opinion mess things up, I’ll have Ethan Caldwell and Julian Harrington join the judging panel. Sound fair to you, Mr. Ford?”
“Sounds good,” Jeremy agreed, then asked, “And what’s the prize?” Jeremy wasn’t looking for anything big, just a simple apology to Stella if she won.
“I’ll leave,” Cameron said, his voice unwavering..
Jeremy froze, taken aback. “What do you mean?”
“Just like I said,” Cameron replied with an easy smile. “If she wins, I’ll not only give her the chief designer title-I’ll resign from Lumière Group completely. She gets everything, my spot and my role.”
With Cameron still in charge, even if Stella got the chief designer title, she couldn’t get anyone to listen to her-no one would follow her commands.
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Of course, Cameron didn’t actually think Stella could take his position.
“We’ll talk about that later,” Jeremy didn’t directly respond, instead asking, “What if you win?” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ.net
“If I win, you’ll have to personally recruit Sylvia,” Cameron said, his grin widening. “I mean, Lloyd Group’s done a pretty good job with Sylvia-even Mr. Lloyd himself has been pulling strings for her.
“But I’m sure if it were you, you’d be able to do just as much, if not more. Lumière Group’s got all the resources to open every door for her.”
Normally, as the CEO, Jeremy would never agree to such a reckless proposal.
Because doing that would mean pouring most of the company’s resources into Sylvia. It could even sink the business before they’d see any payoff.
But Jeremy had absolute faith in Stella, so he didn’t hesitate for a second. “Alright, I agree.”
“I know you’re a man who keeps his promises, Mr. Ford,” Cameron said, grinning widely, already imagining working with Sylvia. He didn’t even realize that the looks people were giving him had subtly changed.
Just as Jeremy had worried, if all the resources were given to Sylvia Jansen, the other designers would have fewer opportunities.
But it was also difficult for them to jump ship. Aside from Lloyd Group, there was probably no other company in Seabrook that could match Lumière Group’s benefits and pay.
“We’ve been trusting him as the boss, but he only has eyes for Sylvia,” someone muttered quietly, and others nodded in agreement. While no one said anything out loud, resentment toward Cameron was building.
“Ms. Spencer, don’t take it personally. The folks in the design department are really good people. They just trust Mr. Nunn, so their attitude is just following his lead,” Jessica said softly, as they walked to the studio.
Stella gave her a relaxed smile. “It doesn’t bother me at all.”
“That’s a relief,” Jessica said, patting her chest and grinning. “I was worried you might have some trouble getting along with them, but you’re so easygoing, Ms. Spencer.”
‘Seriously, just thinking about it—if Stella wasn’t so chill, anyone else would’ve lost it after seven years with the Lloyd family. They’d either go totally nuts or be stuck in a permanent funk, Jessica mused.
“Oh, right. I haven’t even introduced myself yet,” Jessica added with a grin. “I’m Jessica Slater, one of the designers in our department.”
Jessica smiled warmly at Stella, but Stella’s expression stiffened for a moment. Jessica couldn’t help but wonder if Stella recognized her and knew her intentions.
But Jessica always worked discreetly, and anything about Stella had been spread quietly. Even when she was jealous of Stella in the past and spread rumors about her, it was always in passing conversations, never directly said.
Those old rumors had been forgotten by now, no one would remember them.
Thinking about all this, Jessica sounded her out, “Ms. Spencer, seems like you’ve heard of me before?”
Stella had heard Erica complain about Jessica many times. But she wasn’t planning on exposing Jessica just yet.
Jessica was the kind of snake who lurked in the shadows-if someone wasn’t careful, she’d strike before they even saw her coming.
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“Yeah, I’ve heard the name,” Stella replied, giving a nod.
Jessica’s heart sank. She was about to explain herself, but Stella continued, “A friend mentioned someone with a name similar to yours. That girl was always following Noreen Lloyd around, picking up whatever she discarded.”
Jessica was both grateful that Stella didn’t seem to recognize her directly, and absolutely livid that Noreen had aired her humiliation like cheap gossip for everyone to hear.
That whole thing was supposed to be hush-hush, besides a handful of people, hardly anyone was supposed to know about it.
Jessica might have been all about the money, but her reputation mattered even more. Otherwise, there was no way she could have ever scored a powerful ally in that business.
If Noreen hadn’t gone around airing her dirty laundry, there was no way Stella would’ve heard about it from her friend.
The more she thought about it, the more desperate she was to get her long-prepared scheme rolling.
‘That arrogant heiress likes to act high and mighty-just two drifters won’t be enough for her. Better round up a few more, Jessica schemed darkly.
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