Chapter 9

Two days after receiving the email, after arriving in Metro City, Emily stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeve of her blouse. Her sketches were arranged neatly inside a folder on the table, along with a small notebook where she had written down a few points she wanted to discuss during the meeting.

She had spent the last two days refining her ideas. The company had agreed to meet with her after receiving her inquiry, and although Emily tried not to expect too much, she couldn't deny that she was excited. This was different from everything she had done before.

She wasn't attending the meeting as a Carter representative. She wasn't there because of a family connection. She was going there because of something she had created herself. Claire arrived shortly afterward.

“Are you ready?”

Emily picked up her folder.

“I think so.”

Claire looked at the folder. “You've checked those designs about ten times.”

“I want them to be perfect.”

“They don't have to be perfect.”

Emily gave her a look. “You say that because you're not the one presenting them.”

Claire laughed. “Fair enough. Let's go.”

The company was located in one of the city's commercial districts. Its building wasn't as imposing as the headquarters of the largest luxury corporations in Metro City, but it was modern and well maintained. Emily immediately noticed the jewelry displayed in the showroom on the ground floor. Some of the pieces were simple. Others were striking, built around gemstones that weren't commonly used by mainstream luxury brands.

She slowed down for a moment. This was the kind of work she had been looking for. A receptionist greeted them and confirmed their appointment before directing them upstairs. They were shown into a conference room where three people were already waiting. A man in his forties stood to greet them.

“Ms. Carter?”

“Yes.”

“I'm Daniel Hayes. I handle brand development.”

He introduced the other two members of the team before inviting Emily and Claire to sit. Once everyone was settled, Daniel opened the folder containing the information Emily had sent during her initial inquiry.

“We're interested in learning more about your concepts,” he said. “Your proposal mentioned rare and unconventional stones, as well as limited-production pieces.”

“That's right.”

Emily opened her own folder.

“I don't want to create jewelry that simply follows whatever is popular at the moment. I want the pieces to have their own identity.”

She placed her first sketch on the table.

“This collection would focus on rare stones that aren't usually used in mainstream luxury jewelry. The goal isn't just to make them expensive. I want to make them recognizable.”

Daniel leaned forward to examine the sketch. Emily continued explaining. She talked about the shapes she had chosen, the way she wanted certain stones cut, and how she envisioned the pieces being produced in limited quantities rather than mass-produced. The executives asked questions throughout the presentation.

Some were about production, others were about pricing, materials, and the potential market. Emily answered as best as she could. When she didn't know something, she said so. She wasn't pretending to have experience she didn't possess. She simply knew what she wanted to create. After nearly an hour, Emily placed the last sketch on the table.

“I know this is still a concept,” she said. “But I believe there's a market for it.”

Daniel looked through the designs once more. “There could be.”

Emily waited. One of the other executives nodded.

“We like your work.”

Emily felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. Daniel closed the folder.

“We'd like to explore working with you.”

Emily smiled. “That's good to hear.”

“There is something we need to discuss, though.”

Emily listened as Daniel explained that the company did not normally provide everything an independent designer needed from the beginning. Instead, they preferred to develop promising designers gradually. They could provide access to their production facilities, help source materials, connect her with experienced craftsmen, and assist with marketing and distribution.

They could also provide initial funding to develop her first collection. Emily listened carefully. “What would you expect from me?”

“Your designs and creative direction would remain central to the brand,” Daniel said. "But because we'd be putting resources into developing it, the company would have an agreed share and certain rights during the development period.”

“How long would that period be?”

“Six years.”

Emily considered that. Six years was a long time. But it also gave her something she couldn't easily build alone. She would have the chance to develop her ideas without having to immediately carry the entire burden herself. She picked up the company profile that had been placed on the table earlier.

As she glanced through it, her eyes stopped briefly on the list of shareholders. One name caught her attention, Sterling Group. Emily's fingers paused against the edge of the paper. She read it once more. Sterling Group held a minority stake in the company.

Her expression didn't change. She simply made a mental note of it before continuing to read. She wasn't going to let Xavier's name appear everywhere and make her abandon every opportunity that crossed her path. Besides, this company had listened to her and that mattered. She placed the profile back on the table.

“So the investment will happen gradually?”

“Yes,” Daniel replied and adjusted his tie. “We wouldn't simply give you a large amount of money and leave you to figure everything out. We'd develop the brand in stages.”

Emily nodded slowly. “Okay,”

“We'd start with developing your first collection, establishing production, and testing the market. As the brand grows, the investment can increase.”

Emily looked down at her sketches. It wasn't the kind of deal she had imagined when she first started dreaming about having her own company, but perhaps that was the reality of building something from nothing. She couldn't expect a fully established luxury brand overnight. She needed to start somewhere.

“What percentage would the company receive?” she asked.

Daniel gave her the proposed figure. Emily didn't respond immediately. She wanted to think about it.

“I'll need to review the agreement carefully.”

“Of course.”

“I'll also have a lawyer look over it before I sign anything.”

“That's completely fine.”

Daniel slid a preliminary document across the table. “This contains the basic structure. The formal agreement will include the full terms.”

Emily took it. She looked down at the document, then at the sketches scattered across the table. For years, those designs had existed only inside notebooks. Now someone was willing to put actual resources behind them. She wasn't going to rush. She wasn't going to sign something simply because she was excited.

But she wasn't going to walk away from an opportunity just because one of the company's shareholders happened to be someone connected to her past. Emily closed the folder.

“I'd like to sign it after going through it.”

Daniel nodded. “Good. We'll arrange the next meeting once you've reviewed the proposal.”

Emily stood, gathering her things. As she and Claire walked out of the conference room, she glanced once more at the company's showroom downstairs. Her eyes settled on a necklace displayed behind the glass. She imagined one of her own designs sitting there someday. Emily smiled faintly. For the first time, the idea didn't feel impossible.

She returned home and reviewed the document and also sent a copy to her lawyer. When she was sure the document didn't hold any bizarre terms, she signed it and that marked the start of a new future for her.