Chapter 8:
1381 Words
"Actually, for the face design part, I think adding an arch design and small carvings would be good. In terms of material selection, it must be the highest quality colored diamonds, and the material must be a large diamond block, not fragments." Theophilus said seriously, sharing his perspective.
"But isn't it a bit too extravagant? The manufacturing cost is too high, making it difficult to produce a final product." Dulcie hesitated.
"No, it's not." Theophilus reassured her: "You need to believe in yourself, as if you're designing the world's top luxury jewelry."
"For the details on the necklace, you can use the artisanal inlay technique. It will add a classical and elegant touch but still be fashionable." Theophilus explained slowly, pointing out the key details.
The more Dulcie listened, the brighter her clear eyes shone, intently focusing on Theophilus.
After half an hour of discussion and exchange...
They finally edited and finalized the design.
Dulcie looked extremely satisfied, gazing fondly at the design document.
"It's wonderful, Theophilus, your artistic level is really high." Dulcie complimented.
"I just borrowed ideas from others." Theophilus modestly replied: "The concepts were all yours, I just added a few details."
"No, it's a combined effort from both of us." Dulcie asserted.
"Alright, it's as you say." Theophilus agreed.
"I've decided to use this design as my first move, to send it to Chairman Joe." Dulcie said determinedly.
"But what should we name it?" Dulcie pondered, pursing her lips in thought.
After a moment, Theophilus suggested: "World King.”
“World King? King of the world?" Dulcie asked, curious.
"Yes, king of the world." Theophilus smiled: "Have you ever watched Titanic? There's a classic scene where the protagonist Leonardo stands at the bow of the ship embracing the ocean."
"I really like that iconic line, I am the king of the world. I am the king of the world!”
"Of course, I've seen Titanic. The script in that scene you mentioned is really great!" Dulcie's eyes sparkled, recalling the image and feeling a surge of inspiration.
Theophilus' suggestion was indeed brilliant!
"King of the world!" Dulcie said excitedly: "Let's go with it. World King!”
After saying that, Dulcie wrote the name on the necklace design.
Shortly after, Dulcie completed the design and sent it to the email of Chairman Joe, Leighton.
The same day, after the family finished dinner, they received a response.
Chairman Joe's response: 'A great idea! Come to the company tomorrow and then directly to my office for a meeting.'
The acknowledgment of her work exhilarated Dulcie.
The next morning.
At Dulcie's request, Theophilus accompanied her to the company.
They hailed a taxi and headed straight to the X-Peak building.
Dulcie was extremely excited, as it was the first time her jewelry design was acknowledged. Moreover, it was personally responded to by the chairman of a major corporation!
"I'm so nervous, this is the first time I'm talking to an important figure like the chairman." Dulcie said anxiously in the back seat: "I don't know what he will ask, I'm worried I'll say something wrong and they won't accept my design..."
"Don't be too anxious, just express your ideas and thoughts to him." Theophilus advised.
"If one day my own jewelry design is released and receives praise from the public at an exhibition, that would be so fulfilling!" Dulcie said, her eyes full of aspiration, dreaming of that achievement.
Theophilus reassured her: "Don't worry, your design ideas will definitely be showcased."
"Really? That's wonderful!" Dulcie's face brightened with excitement and anticipation.
"After this negotiation, you'll become a true designer. Keep it up." Theophilus encouraged.
"Um, I will!" Dulcie nodded, her heart set on becoming a renowned jewelry designer.
Soon, a taxi brought them to the X-Peak building.
They got out of the car together and took the elevator to the company.
Twenty-eighth floor.
This floor housed the office of the newly appointed chairman, Leighton.
The space was vast, all designed with glass walls, and the office furniture was orderly arranged.
Employees bustled about, many of them dressed impeccably for work.
As they entered the office, many curious glances were cast their way.
"Dulcie? Aren’t you a marketing department employee? Who allowed you here? This office is for company management; don't you know your place?" A high-ranking female manager passing by stopped, recognized Dulcie, and spoke disdainfully.
"Oh? Dulcie? And is this the infamous useless son-in-law of the Millers, your husband Theophilus?" A male Miller Corporation high-level manager, seated in an office chair, looked them over thoughtfully.
"I remember Jena saying she didn’t want to see him again. How dare you bring him here?"
"Hmph! Mind your own business." Dulcie scoffed coldly, unwilling to pay attention to these spiteful people.
With that, she walked into the chairman's office, carrying a document bag.
"Wait a moment."
A loud female voice called out.
A woman in a light purple dress, heavily made up and adorned with expensive jewelry, slowly approached.
Dulcie glanced at her, her eyebrows furrowing with a mix of anxiety and unease.
The woman was Jena, a well-known figure in the Miller Jewelry Corporation, serving as the vice director of the design department and also a jewelry designer for the corporation. Moreover, being the daughter of the executive chairman Victor, she held a very high status in the company.
"Jena..." Dulcie greeted her, somewhat apprehensively.
"Shut up!" Jena cut her off sharply, her gaze coldly falling on Theophilus: "You dare show your face in front of me?"
"Jena, sorry to bother you. Theophilus and I are here on business, we'll leave shortly." Dulcie said uneasily, feeling intimidated and inferior in front of Jena, partly because her family had been oppressed by Jena's family for years.
"Dulcie, you don't have to be ashamed in front of her. You owe her nothing." Theophilus spoke up.
"Who are you to raise your voice in front of me?" Jena looked down on Theophilus with contempt: "I haven't settled with you for what happened at my wedding, and yet you dare show up in front of me?"
"I apologized at your wedding. Besides, that incident wasn’t my fault." Theophilus replied calmly.
"Ha! You've got some nerve! Theophilus, have you forgotten what I told you?" A deep voice interjected at this moment.
Dante approached, his gaze cold as he looked at Theophilus and Dulcie. He scoffed arrogantly, speaking condescendingly: "Sorry, but can an apology really solve the problem? Have you forgotten your own family name just because you've had a few decent meals? Do you believe I can make your shabby jewelry workshop close down again?"
Dante held a significant stake in the Miller Jewelry Corporation, serving as a director on the board and also as the deputy executive officer.
Moreover, he was the esteemed Young Master of the Charlie family in Elysian Echo City, capable of plunging Dulcie's family into deep despair with a mere flick of his finger, forcing them to live in destitution.
Dulcie bit her lip, visibly anxious and flustered.
"What?" At that moment, Jena noticed the document bag in Dulcie's hand and said disdainfully: "Don't tell me you're here for Chairman Joe's recruitment announcement? You want to submit your jewelry design ideas?"
"Truly laughable, a penniless person like you dreaming of becoming a jewelry designer? How many designs have you submitted over the years? I've seen them all, nothing but trash, just like you, don't ever dream of success!" Jena said coldly and mockingly, devoid of any sympathy.
"Dulcie, speaking as a jewelry designer and the deputy director of the design department, I'm telling you now, you can leave!" Jena arrogantly declared: "Your design ideas have been rejected!"
"Sister Jena… are you saying that all my previous drafts were rejected by you?" Dulcie Miller was both embarrassed and furious, feeling extremely aggrieved and resentful. Jena Miller's words were truly excessive.
"Now you don't even look at my designs and want to dismiss me?" Dulcie challenged.
"It was me who rejected them! So what? Your trashy drafts don't even deserve a glance, they should be thrown straight into the bin." Jena said angrily, not caring at all.
Dulcie clenched her teeth, her face ablaze with anger.
All the designs she had submitted over the years were ignored and discarded by Jena without even a glance.
- Writer
