Coen watched her walk away, his mind already filled with visions of the accolades he would receive if the deal went through.
He was completely oblivious to Cynthia’s rigid expression.
Cynthia clenched her fists, her whole body quivering with barely contained rage.
A wave of panic washed over her.
Linsey had secured Anthea’s approval.
She had sorely underestimated Linsey.
It was well-known within CR Corporation that Anthea had a special connection with the company’s enigmatic founder. This had added to Coen’s urgency to secure her project.
Previous designers had faced harsh rejections from Anthea, with some even resigning after their failures.
Yet Linsey had triumphed against all odds.
How was this even possible?
Cynthia couldn’t bring herself to accept the fact that Linsey had sealed a deal with Anthea.
If Linsey used Anthea to advance further in her career, she would steal Cynthia’s spotlight in the department.
That simply would not do.
A determined spark ignited in Cynthia’s eyes as she quietly resolved to herself.
She had to tank this deal.
On the other side, Linsey’s day was consumed at her desk, where she was intently preparing design proposals to meet Anthea’s stringent criteria.
Typically, a designer would create various options after understanding a client’s preferences, offering them a range of choices.
This often led to new ideas or additional requests from the client, requiring flexibility and adaptability from the designer.
Given the substantial compensation offered by Anthea, it was clear why she demanded nothing short of excellence.
Linsey was meticulous, focusing on every detail to guarantee the success of the project.
Once she delved into her work, Linsey lost track of time.
After enjoying the afternoon tea Coen had thoughtfully provided, she wasn’t hungry and didn’t even notice that the workday had officially ended over an hour ago.
Her phone buzzed suddenly.
Jolted from her focus, Linsey instinctively rubbed her stiff neck, a result of hours hunched over her work.
She picked up her phone and read a message from Collin:
“When are you coming home?”
She scanned the quiet office; it was empty. Everyone had already left-she was the last one still working late.
With a wry smile, Linsey thought about how pleased CR Corporation must be to have someone as dedicated as her.
It wasn’t until she stopped working that a wave of fatigue washed over her. Too exhausted to text, she chose to call Collin back instead.
The phone connected swiftly. Without looking away from her computer, she asked, “What’s up? Is something urgent?”
“Hm.” Collin’s voice was warm through the phone, tinged with an undertone of seriousness. “Yes, it’s quite urgent.”
Linsey paused, anxiety creeping in.
“What’s happening? I’ll be there soon. Just wait for me.”
She was about to hurry and pack up when Collin spoke again, his voice serious yet gentle.
“Linsey, I miss you. There’s something important I have to discuss with you in person.”
Linsey stopped in her tracks, her cheeks warming suddenly.
She was caught off guard by Collin’s directness.
When had Collin become so forthright? She wasn’t ready for this.
“Okay, I’ll see you later,” Linsey replied softly.
After ending the call, Collin looked at his phone screen, his lips curving into a soft smile.
He couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it began, but his emotions were deeply connected to Linsey now.
Just the sound of her voice was enough to brighten his day.
At that moment, the butler walked in with a cheerful demeanor.
“Mr. Riley, the candlelit dinner is set. I’ve checked the roses and the record player-everything is perfect.”
Collin snapped back to the present and smiled warmly at the butler.
“Josh, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Mr. Riley. It’s my pleasure,” Josh Gomez replied with a smile, adding, “I’ve ensured that your evening with Mrs. Riley will be undisturbed.”
Josh’s words sent a warm rush through Collin, and his smile grew brighter.
“Alright, I understand,” Collin replied.
Josh, having observed the scene in silence, let out a nostalgic sigh.
“Mr. Riley, to speak frankly, I once doubted you’d ever marry. But look at you now-not only married, but clearly in love. Your grandmother would be overjoyed and so relieved.”
Collin blinked in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“You seem truly happy,” Josh replied with a kind smile.
At those words, Collin chuckled, his laugh softening his usually reserved expression and making him appear more vibrant than ever.
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.