With Fiona gone, Cordy had help from Stephen to select a new secretary, Vince Cartman. He was young and academically qualified, and had not joined either faction in Starstream Group since he was only recently hired.And as instructed, Noel arrived to present her drafts for the season in the vast conference room. But even as she elaborated on the details, she lost confidence by the minute under Cordy's watchful gaze.She certainly had to admit that she did not have the inspiration to create a design from scratch—even if she was given another week. Her design was fundamentally stuck to her old ideas, and the minute adjustments she made by borrowing inspiration from others left her designs less than outstanding."Do you think this is going to fly, Ms. Sachs?" Cordy asked as she took a sip of tea.It was only natural that Noel came up with an excuse beforehand. "Personally, I think trends matter, but that does not mean we should lose our brand's individuality. What's wrong in keeping o
Simon was certainly skeptical.Still, considering that Cordy must have had a hard time getting anything going or trying to manage Starstream Group with various head of departments reneging, did she smarten up and decided to appoint Noel, so that Noel would keep them in line?Simon thought then that it was all Cordy amounted to… To think that he believed she could achieve anything for a moment!Smugness showed on his face as he barked, "Appointing Noel is certainly the best move you can make to rein in Starstream! She's worked there for years, and she's naturally no greenhorn like you!""Thank you for your advice." Cordy played along, though she found it ironic herself—appointing Noel was really just bait for them to come at her!"Oh, and do you remember Bryson Zimmer—""You don't have to worry about my private life." She hung up, but soon her phone rang again.Cordy did not answer it, and she then received a text from Kyle. "Noel just called me saying that you appointed her as
Noel checked the time, but it was only 3 pm. "In another couple of hours.""Can't you leave early?" Mandy Jessop was clearly upset. "I'd like you to go shopping with me."Noel appeared slightly hesitant. In the past, she could just leave work without a word since her father would not say a thing.But now, Cordy had taken control, and Noel was worried she would notice and use it as an excuse to harass her.Even so, she had even less reason to upset Mandy. If she wanted to marry Kyle without issue, she certainly needed his sister's favor.After weighing her options, Noel agreed to it anyway. "I'll be right there. Where are we going?""Radiant Global.""Be there in twenty minutes."Hanging up, Noel drove to the mall.-Meanwhile, Cordy was drafting a design in her office when her phone rang too.She gave it a casual glance but eventually put away the draft and answered it. "Mr. Levine.""When will you call me something else?" That familiar voice was ever deep and magnetic.
Mandy saw Cordy too. She called out rather loudly, "Cordy?!"Cordy naturally heard her, but she ignored her."Who do you think you are, Cordy Sachs?!" Mandy promptly strode toward her.Noel quickly followed, even as Mandy glared scornfully at Richard and mocked, "You really are eager to become a stepmom, aren't you? You really are an embarrassment to womenkind, sucking up to a man like this and paying for everything! Every item here would cost at least five figures—you really spared no expense!"Richard's little brows were furrowed.Why did they have to run into those two witches again? They were really ruining his and his mommy's happy shopping time. Beside him, Cordy shot Mandy a look and calmly pressed a button on her phone, replaying all of Mandy's rambling.Mandy's face flushed, surprised that Cordy would record everything so quickly."I wonder if your reputation would be affected if this recording goes online, Ms. Jessop?" Cordy asked without a care. "Weren't you just ta
Did 'good' mean it was acceptable, or did it mean something else?Still, Cordy was going to ask a store assistant to pack it up when another store assistant arrived with a breathtaking gown. Mandy's eyes lit up, and she promptly intercepted the store assistant as she exclaimed, "I'll try that one!" "I'm sorry, Ms. Jessop, but this one is reserved for Ms. Sachs." The store assistant apologized."Why? I saw it first, and that makes it mine! I'll try it right now!" Mandy snapped bossily, snatching it off the store assistant's hand before she could agree to it.Mandy held it over herself, measuring it—they had been shopping for a while, but this was the only gown that suited her taste. "It's so beautiful." Noel fawned over it, feeling jealous because she had her eyes on it too."I'm sorry, Ms. Jessop, but this is tailored made for Ms. Cordy Sachs—""How much is it?!" Mandy refused to hear a word of it. "I'll buy it right now!""It's not about the money—""I'll make a complaint
Noel took the zipper and pulled as hard as she could.Mandy inhaled as much as she could in turn, but the zipper just would not go up whatever they did."It's not going to work, Mandy," Noel said helplessly and tiredly. "No way! My waist is so thin!" It was just too much for Mandy.She could not even imagine the contempt Cordy would show her if she could not put on the gown! She was not about to suffer such ignominy!"It won't work. It will break if I keep pulling it.""Then break it! Just pull!""Cordy will know if it does break! She'll definitely ask you to pay for it!""She'll make me pay even if I don't!" Mandy growled through her teeth.Still, Noel was shrewd enough to think of a way around it. "Hold on just a minute. If you can't put it on when you're this slim, Cordy wouldn't be able to do it either. If neither of you can put it on, she has no right to ask you to pay for it."Mandy paused for a moment, but soon realized that Noel was right. "Help me take it off.""Ye
Regardless, none of them would admit it."Thank you," Cordy flashed a tender smile at Richard before turning to Mandy. "Pay up."Mandy's cheeks were alternating in color.Cordy had actually put it on! How?!"A bet's a bet. What, going to go back on it already?" Cordy sneered.Mandy's teeth were gnashing—she just had to make the bet in front of so many people.She could not afford to humiliate herself by reneging!"How much for the gown?" she growled."It's 1.3 million dollars, Ms. Jessop," a store assistant replied."What?!" Mandy thought she was hearing things.Most designer brands would cost a few hundred grand at most, but that gown cost 1.3 million?!"The dress was completely handmade in Franconia, and every part of the design was made to specifications. The 500 diamonds encrusted on it were in turn sewn by hand by our best tailor," the store assistant explained, while showing her the invoice. "The pricing was also charged according to official rates. Please take a look,
Cordy was holding Richard's hand as they arrived at the main entrance when a figure abruptly intercepted them, stopping them from leaving."What, regret paying up now?" Cordy narrowed her eyes at Kyle, who was panting."I'm not that petty," he heaved. "I paid, and that's that. My family won't miss it that much."Cordy smiled—it was ironic since she was the reason his family had that money, and she had worked for it with her life! Still, Kyle suddenly ignored her jibe and directly said, "You never answered my calls or texts.""Did you forget your place—""We can be friends even if we've broken up.""That's what you believe," Cordy said as she looked at him coolly. "You're already gone from my world, because I'd never befriend anyone as corrupt as you.""You don't have to be like that—""What do you want?!" Cordy snapped, cutting him short impatiently. Kyle took a deep breath, not wanting to fight her. "I just asked the store assistant. She said the boy's tailcoat costs six