She hadn’t anticipated such developments-Collin had just departed, and now his wife appeared on her doorstep.
And to her astonishment, Collin’s wife was a designer from CR Corporation.
Anthea couldn’t help but muse on what Linsey’s reaction might be if she ever discovered that her husband was the enigmatic founder of CR Corporation.
Although she had taken a liking to Linsey, Anthea wasn’t one to rely on first impressions. She needed to see for herself if Linsey truly lived up to Collin’s praise.
Easing the conversation back to business, Anthea offered a knowing smile. “Don’t worry. If I had any doubts about you, I wouldn’t have let you through the door.”
She let a beat of silence linger, taking an unhurried sip of her coffee before speaking again, her voice carrying quiet authority. “But let me be clear-my expectations for designers are uncompromising. I’m willing to give you a chance, but if you fall short, I won’t hesitate to walk away.”
Linsey met her gaze without wavering, a flicker of certainty in her eyes. “Mrs. Blakely, I have absolute confidence in my work. Trust me-I’ll deliver results that won’t just meet your expectations but surpass them.”
Anthea let out a light chuckle. “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard promises like that. If you want me to take this seriously, you’ll need to show me something real.”
Linsey barely hesitated before flashing a confident smile. “That’s simple enough.”
She reached into her bag, pulled out a thick folder, and handed it over. “Mrs. Blakely, these are designs I’ve worked on in my free time. Some are unfinished drafts, but they should give you a clear idea of my skill and range.”
A glimmer of interest crossed Anthea’s face as she took the folder, flipping through the pages with careful scrutiny.
Noticing Anthea’s focused expression, Linsey spoke with quiet conviction. “To be completely honest, Mrs. Blakely, I’ve never taken on a client project before. You would be my first, and I don’t take this opportunity lightly. I truly hope you’ll give me this chance-I promise to deliver a design that surpasses your expectations.”
As Anthea flipped through the pages, admiration slowly flickered across her face, her initial skepticism fading.
Truth be told, she had only considered giving Linsey a chance out of respect for Collin. But now, as she studied the depth of creativity in each design, she felt something shift. Linsey wasn’t just promising talent-she was proving it.
The designs in the folder were arranged in chronological order, tracing Linsey’s evolution as an artist. The earlier pages were unpolished-skilled but still tethered to the influence of other designers. Yet as the pages turned, so did her confidence. Her strokes grew bolder, her lines more intentional, and her designs shed imitation, becoming undeniably her own.
The sheer thickness of the folder spoke volumes about her dedication. Every sketch, every revision, was proof of her relentless pursuit of mastery.
Anthea took her time, flipping through each page with careful attention. When she finally reached the last design, she closed the folder and set it down, her expression unreadable.
When Anthea looked up again, admiration flickered unmistakably in her eyes.
“Alright,” she said, her tone firm yet measured. “I’m willing to trust you. Just don’t disappoint me.”
Linsey’s heart leaped. She nodded, determination gleaming in her eyes. “I won’t!”
Not long after, she returned to the office, clutching the signed contract like a victory in her hands.
The moment she stepped inside, Cynthia intercepted her, blocking her path.
“Linsey, back so soon?” Cynthia sneered, her gaze sweeping over her with thinly veiled disdain. “Let me guess-you didn’t even make it past Mrs. Blakely’s door before she kicked you out. How embarrassing. You might as well start packing up your desk now. If you can’t secure this deal, there’s no chance you’re staying here.”
Before Linsey could respond, Coen stepped out of his office. Catching Cynthia’s words, he immediately assumed the worst.
His frown deepened. “Linsey, did you even manage to meet with Mrs. Blakely? Looks like your skills aren’t as remarkable as I was led to believe. I expected better from the top candidate.”
Linsey glanced at Cynthia, her expression serene, and retrieved a contract from her bag.
“Coen, Mrs. Blakely has agreed. She’s already signed and even paid a deposit.”
Coen’s eyes widened with excitement as he took the contract from Linsey, leafing through it in astonishment.
“You actually pulled it off!”
Relief washed over him. The company had failed repeatedly to secure Anthea’s business, and he had nearly lost all hope.
It was almost miraculous how Linsey had succeeded this time.
Cynthia, standing to the side, gaped at the document in Coen’s hands. After several deep breaths, she rounded on Linsey.
“Linsey, failing would have been one thing. We wouldn’t have blamed you. But resorting to dubious methods to win Mrs. Blakely’s agreement? If word gets out, our team will face huge embarrassment!”
Linsey frowned and faced Cynthia.
“What are you talking about?”
Cynthia’s glare intensified, her voice tight with anger.
“You know what you did! No one from our team has ever closed a deal with Mrs. Blakely, yet you nailed it after just one meeting? I can’t help but wonder what shady tactics you employed!”
Linsey smiled slightly and cocked an eyebrow.
“Really? Why don’t you spell out these supposed shady tactics that convinced Mrs. Blakely to sign?”
Cynthia, furious, struggled to find a concrete accusation.
Had the client been a man, perhaps she could have spun a scandalous tale about Linsey.
But with Anthea-a well-respected woman in her forties-what could she possibly invent?
Would she dare suggest Linsey seduced Anthea to secure the contract? Such a ludicrous suggestion would hold no weight.
“Enough,” Coen interjected, his tone final. He was clearly disinterested in pursuing Cynthia’s baseless claims.
“The deal is sealed. That’s what matters.”
He regarded Linsey with evident satisfaction.
“You’ve done an excellent job. It’s been ages since we’ve had Mrs. Blakely on board. Dedicate yourself fully to this project and showcase our team’s skills.”
Linsey nodded, her response crisp.
“Understood, Coen.”
After a brief pause, she added, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to my desk and start working on the designs.”
Coen’s expression sobered.
“Good. Focus on your designs, but remember to take breaks. I’ll arrange for some afternoon tea. If this project succeeds, you’ll be our star designer-and you might even complete your probation early.”
“Thank you, Coen. I’ll get to work now.”
Linsey collected Anthea’s contract and documents before turning to head back to her desk.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.