Chapter 634
Chapter 634:
The assistant nodded quickly before disappearing through the doorway. A heavy sigh escaped Pattie as she leaned back, fatigue settling over her, and she dialed Maia’s number yet again.
Relief washed over her when the call finally connected.
Pattie didn’t wait for a greeting. “Maia, you act as if nothing is wrong. Do you realize how bad things look right now? When are you planning to address the rumors p>
Unfazed, Maia answered in a steady tone while she nibbled on an apple. “There’s no need to rush p>
Hearing Maia’s calm response only heightened Pattie’s anxiety. “This is unbelievable! You’re managing to keep your cool while everything we’ve poured our effort into for this brand is now hanging by a thread p>
Her jaw tightened as she let out her irritation. “And what about Larkin? He really takes the cake. He picked now, of all times, to throw a launch party with the slogan Genuine and Unmatched. Is he trying to rub salt in our wounds p>
Maia put down her apple, a ripple of emotion in her clear eyes, but her tone remained steady. “Pattie, take a step back and think. The backlash came down on us like a storm, far too quickly. Larkin could never have pulled this off by himself p>
“He’s clearly being used as a distraction p>
Trying to steady her nerves, Pattie inhaled deeply. Even so, her thoughts raced. She said honestly, “You’re making sense, but just sitting around doesn’t feel right, does it p>
“I have no plans to sit on my hands, but now isn’t the right moment to make a move,” Maia answered. “If we wait, we’ll have a better shot at finding out who’s really pulling the strings p>
“Trust me. I’ve got a plan,” added Maia, her voice reassuring.
That steady assurance helped Pattie relax, even if only a little. “If you say so, I’ll follow your lead. Still, you know I’m terrible at waiting. Why not put me to work?” Pattie gave a half-hearted laugh. “Otherwise, I’ll be up all night itching to start a fight with Larkin online p>
“That settles it.” Maia offered a faint smile. “Since Larkin’s launch event is set for tomorrow, and the press will be everywhere, I have a task in mind for you p>
At the same time, over at Cooper Estate, Mariana’s spirits soared as she watched Maia get slammed with endless criticism online.
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She had not forgotten her loss to Maia in the competition at that banquet.
Maybe her defeat hadn’t been a true loss after all. Maia had always been clever at taking credit for things that weren’t hers. For all Mariana knew, the piece that won the competition could have been borrowed — or even stolen — from someone else, rather than created on a whim.
Stepping into her wardrobe, Mariana eyed the pile of MCN haute couture now gathering dust at the bottom of a drawer.
Before the banquet where Maia had humiliated her, she had been proud to call herself an MCN VIP. Since that night, though, the label only brought a sour taste to her mouth.
Now, with Instagram ablaze with people boycotting and even burning MCN clothes, how could she miss out?