Chapter twelve
1331 Words
Nellie pov
I felt as if I had just been slapped hard across the face, standing there in shock for a moment before I could react. I forced myself to hold back tears and tried to maintain a casual demeanor as I distanced myself from Dominic Blackwood . "Sorry, Mr. Blackwood , didn't mean to interrupt your evening," I said, my voice steady.
I had clearly overheard Scarlett Hayes discussing her date with him earlier. If it hadn't been for my outburst, they might have already sealed the deal.
Dominic Blackwood slowly withdrew his gaze and turned away without looking back.
I let out a self-deprecating laugh. He must be regretting ever meeting me, wishing he could put as much distance between us as possible.
Scarlett Hayes stepped forward. "Vivian , why bother? A loss is a loss. Don’t lose face and dignity at the same time; at least give yourself a little cover."
Facing Scarlett, I refused to show any signs of weakness. I brushed my slightly disheveled hair back and replied coldly, "Scarlett, don’t speak too confidently. You might end up with a slap in the face."
Scarlett scoffed dismissively. "Vivian , you might have been cooped up at home for too long to understand the harsh realities of the business world. It’s a battlefield out there, not just your kitchen with pots and pans, or a broom in your hand."
I smiled, my beautiful eyes flashing with sharp coldness. "I can sweep a room, and I can sweep the world."
Scarlett laughed as if she had heard the greatest joke. To her, my bravado was nothing but a desperate attempt.
…
When Dominic Blackwood returned to the car, Ethan brooks sensed something was off. The atmosphere inside felt unusually heavy, making it hard for him to breathe, and he dared not speak.
He was inexplicably irritated. He pulled out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it, taking quick puffs as if the burning smoke could push away his frustration and annoyance.
He had always been self-disciplined, never prone to addiction, but recently he had been feeling the urge to smoke.
The driver tentatively asked, "Dominic , should we hit the road?"
Dominic didn’t respond. After extinguishing the cigarette, he sent a message to Marvis Style.
Moments later, Marvis Style's assistant approached me and said, "Vivian , Marvis wants to see you."
I was busy organizing my things and hadn't left yet. Upon hearing Marvis's request, I immediately stood up straight. I knew this was my only chance to turn the tables. I thanked the assistant and followed him toward the director's office.
Scarlett Hayes quickly sensed a shift in the situation and stepped in front of the assistant. "Assistant frank, hasn't Vyx already finalized the collaboration with our Hayes family? How can you go back on your word?"
"Sorry, Scarlett, I'm just delivering a message from Marvis," the assistant replied.
I entered Marvis Style's office, leaving Scarlett Hayes outside, fuming. She clenched her fists, wishing she could drill two holes into my back with her glare.
Although Marvis had heard of me, he had never seen me in person. When he finally did, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
Beauty lies in the bones, not just the skin, and I was a woman who possessed both a stunning face and an elegant figure. Though my expression was somewhat cold, it couldn't hide my striking aura. No wonder Dominic Blackwood , a man known for his decisiveness, was so hesitant when it came to divorce.
Marvis raised an eyebrow. "Vivian , it seems you're not satisfied with our company's decision?"
I shot back, "Marvis, even a prisoner sentenced to death deserves a chance to plead their case. I have the right to know why our brand was turned away by Vyx."
Marvis was momentarily taken aback. He didn't know me well; he had only heard from Dominic that I was obedient and compliant. But now, I seemed to defy that reputation. I had the demeanor of Samantha, yet my eyes revealed an undeniable resilience.
He suddenly felt that Dominic might have misunderstood his wife.
"Vivian , your brand lacks a solid foundation. While it has some recognition in niche markets, it has stagnated for the past three years and isn't suitable as a partner," Marvis explained.
He almost repeated Dominic Blackwood 's words verbatim, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama.
I frowned. Marvis Style's keen observation had pinpointed the shortcomings of Achievers with surgical precision.
If there was someone to blame, it was me for being so focused on pursuing what I thought was happiness, breaking my own wings while throwing myself into Dominic Blackwood and the Blackwood family, neglecting the company's affairs. On top of that, the fashion industry was James scott's weak point, which led to Achievers's stagnation.
In a competitive landscape, standing still meant falling behind, especially in fashion. Being stuck three years in the past almost guaranteed being eliminated from the market.
But I was desperate to reclaim my true self, forcing myself to pick up everything I had previously set aside, piece by piece.
Cutting through my tangled thoughts, I spoke calmly, “So, Marvis, what do you think of Achievers three years ago?”
Marvis Style leaned back in his chair. “Naturally, I was impressed. Your designer, Mieli, always brought a refreshing perspective. But, with all due respect, Mieli hasn’t released any new work in three years, and her design philosophy may not align with today’s fashion trends.”
My eyes sparkled with a phoenix-like determination. “Three years ago, Mieli put Achievers on the map. Today, she can still be Achievers's ace. Since you admired her style before, why not give her a chance to evolve?”
Seeing a flicker of hesitation on Marvis's face, I picked up Achiever's proposal and handed it to him with both hands.
There seemed to be a certain aura about me that made him feel compelled to listen.
Marvis took the proposal and glanced through it quickly, having to admit that Achiever's design philosophy aligned almost perfectly with Vyx's.
His eyes darted around, and he handed me the room key from his desk. “Vivian , I truly admire your courage, but I can’t make decisions alone. How about this: if you can convince my partner, I’ll give Achiever another chance.”
It was a seemingly casual gesture, but Marvis wore a sincere smile.
I hesitated for a moment, but considering this was Achiever's chance for a comeback, I accepted the key. “You’d better prepare the collaboration agreement, Marvis.”
“Looks like Vivian is determined. Aren’t you worried that my friend might have ulterior motives?”
I smiled lightly. "Have you ever heard the story of the ant shaking the tree, Marvis? I believe Vyx doesn't need to ruin its reputation just because of me."
Though I was smiling, my words carried a fierce determination, as if I was ready to face anything.
Marvis Style suddenly noticed that this couple shared some similarities; both had an underlying fierceness, proving the saying true: "Like attracts like."
After I left, Marvis sent a message to Dominic Blackwood : "Dominic , I have a gift for you tonight. Enjoy yourself."
When Scarlett Hayes saw me walking out with a calm expression, she immediately sensed something had changed. Annoyed, she blocked my path. "What kind of tricks did you use to get Vyx to change its mind?"
I tilted my head and chuckled, "As the proverb says, if your mind is filled with filth, that's all you'll see. So I suggest you, Scarlett, clean out your brain first."
Seeing me trying to leave, Scarlett angrily grabbed my wrist. "Vivian Carter, you stop right there!"
In the struggle, a room keycard slipped from my hand and fell to the ground.
Scarlett let out a cold laugh. "Vivian Carter, I thought your methods were impressive, but it seems you’re just using your body to please men!"
- Writer
