Chapter 90
Elizabeth's POV
My words, it seemed, had the opposite of their intended effect, only serving to agitate the room further.
"What exactly does that mean?"
"Ms. Spencer! I think you owe us an explanation. This is completely unacceptable."
"Without funding, everything we're doing is meaningless, don't you understand?"
I settled back into my chair, my expression calm as I spoke again. "The project will proceed. As for the money, I will personally provide it."
A hush fell over the conference room as all eyes snapped toward me.
I understood the shock rippling through them; it was an outcome none of them could have possibly anticipated.
They all knew me as the daughter of a bankrupt family, a so-called heiress whose fortune was a thing of the past.
Even if they suspected some kind of arrangement between Alexander and me, they wouldn't believe it extended to him handing over the substantial capital required for a venture of this scale.
Their astonishment was entirely within my expectations.
My gaze swept across their stunned faces, my tone hardening with resolve. "Everything else remains the same. The only change is that I am now the investor."
The office was plunged into a dead silence, the team seemingly weighing the authenticity of my claim.
I didn't rush them, allowing nearly half a minute to pass before they slowly settled back into their seats, their expressions growing more serious.
The meeting officially recommenced, continuing as if the foundation of their work hadn't just been shaken and rebuilt.
After delegating the necessary tasks, I sent a brief message to Alexander to inform him of the development and then left the office.
I had a sum of money held under Julia's name, and I intended to use those funds to get the project off the ground immediately.
I sent a message to Julia while hailing a cab, and her reply came back almost instantly.
The car dropped me in front of an unassuming studio. Julia, dressed in her work clothes, was already waiting by the door. The moment she saw me, her face lit up, and she waved enthusiastically.
"Elizabeth!" She called out, rushing to my side and linking her arm through mine with familiar ease. "It's been a while! How have you been? Any new inspirations? Feel like designing something?"
Julia, as effervescent as ever, led me directly up to her private reception area on the second floor.
It had been some time since my last visit, yet the space felt comfortable and familiar. I sat down, and she handed me a cup of tea, her eyes wide with eager anticipation.
"I've been a bit busy lately," I said. "I'm afraid I won't have time to design anything for a while."
Her reaction was nonchalant. She waved a hand dismissively. "Your business is more important. My studio is always here. Don't feel any pressure."
Her understanding made me feel a pang of guilt, and I pursed my lips, unsure how to respond.
Then, as if a thought just struck her, Julia leaned forward. "Oh, by the way! What's the situation with you and Aiden now? Do you know what happened?"
I had little desire to discuss anything related to Aiden, but seeing the curiosity sparkling in Julia's eyes, I simply asked, "What happened?"
"You know how Aiden was paying a fortune for your pieces before? Well, he came looking again recently."
"Recently?" I narrowed my eyes. "Was it for that little girlfriend of his?"
These past few days, Aiden had seized every opportunity to cling to me, never once mentioning Bianca.
He had seemed so furious when he learned she had faked her illness to deceive him, but it appeared the effect was rather superficial. He had forgiven her quickly enough.
"I assume so," Julia confirmed. "He came in asking if I had any more of your designs. He was on the phone with some woman at the time, and they sounded incredibly close."
A soft laugh escaped my lips, startling Julia, who looked at me with a hint of concern.
"So, what's going on? What's the deal with you and Aiden now? What's your relationship?"
I waved my hand again, this time with finality. "There's no relationship between him and me anymore. I just find the man... disgusting."
So, he and Bianca had already reconciled, yet he was still pestering me. It seemed I had underestimated him. He had bounced back so quickly, already trying to get something more from me.
"As much as I wanted to fleece him, I really didn't have any of your designs left, so I had to let him go," Julia lamented.
"Julia," I said, a new idea taking shape, "if he comes back, you let me know. We are absolutely going to make him pay through the nose for this one."
Money was money, especially Aiden's money.
It seemed the crisis at his company had been more or less resolved if he had the leisure to shop for jewelry with Bianca.
If he was so eager to throw his cash my way, I was more than willing to take it.
"Julia, in two days, I want you to contact him proactively. Tell him you've managed to get in touch with me, and that I'm willing to create a custom piece for him. But," I paused, holding up two fingers, "it will require a two-million-dollar deposit upfront."
Julia's eyes widened at my two raised fingers, and she swallowed hard. "Okay! I'll tell him exactly that!"
My proposal seemed to energize her even more than before. "Whatever you need, just let me know!" She added, her voice buzzing with excitement.
I then explained my need for the funds I kept with her, and she agreed without a moment's hesitation.
"It's your money to begin with, of course, you can use it however you want," she said firmly. "And if anyone comes asking, I'll be sure to play dumb for you."
I shot her a grateful look.
With the funding secured, a wave of relief washed over me. I wouldn't let Jasper's sudden withdrawal of investment slide so easily.
This project had to be profitable—more profitable than originally projected. I would make the people behind this watch, and I would make them regret it.
Just as I was preparing to leave, Julia's phone suddenly rang. To my surprise, the caller was Aiden.
I immediately fell silent, and Julia, catching my eye, pressed the speakerphone button.
The first voice I heard was Bianca's, soft and wheedling. "Aiden, I just want the jewelry. Please, can you ask again if they have anything?"
Aiden's voice, dripping with indulgence, followed. "Alright, alright. See? The call is going through right now."
Listening to this scene play out in real-time, I had to actively resist the urge to roll my eyes.
Julia calmly recited the pitch we had just rehearsed. When she mentioned the two-million-dollar deposit, Aiden audibly hesitated.
I raised an eyebrow. Was he hesitating? Was that amount actually something he was reluctant to part with?
"Aiden, I want it," Bianca's voice came through again, insistent and cloying. "Please buy it for me?"
As expected, Aiden couldn't resist. He agreed through gritted teeth.
Julia, sensing her advantage, moved to close the deal. "I will send the account details to you for confirmation, Mr. Smith. You can send me your requirements, and I will contact Designer S as soon as possible."
Aiden's voice turned cold and hard. "You're getting the money, so you'd better do a good job. Don't try to pull a fast one."
"Of course," Julia replied smoothly. "A piece by Designer S is priceless. This transaction will be more than worth your while."
After hanging up, Julia quickly composed and sent the text message to Aiden.
A faint smile finally touched my lips as I watched the message go through. I didn't linger, leaving the studio shortly after.
It was a good thing I had never impulsively revealed my identity as Designer S to Aiden; otherwise, there was no telling how he would have tried to exploit it.
I walked to the end of the street before hailing a cab, a slow, heavy feeling settling in my chest.
In truth, if Aiden had ever possessed even a shred of genuine feeling for me, he would have recognized my identity long ago from the countless design sketches I used to draw in his presence.