Chapter 36 Return
The revolving doors at Mirage Fashion's lobby began their clockwork rotation precisely on schedule the following morning.
Henry walked in wearing an impeccably pressed charcoal suit. Though silver streaked his temples, his eyes shone with remarkable intensity. He carried a vintage leather briefcase filled with fabric samples and design sketches he'd collected during his years abroad.
"Henry." Emily had been waiting by the elevators since early morning.
Henry's eyes immediately welled up at the sight of the poised young woman before him. "Emily, you look just like your mother. During these years abroad, I've learned to stand my ground—I'm no longer the pushover they once manipulated. Together, we'll reclaim what rightfully belonged to Scarlett!"
As they spoke, Clara approached in her stilettos. Her expression darkened instantly upon seeing Henry.
The man she had worked so hard to drive away had returned. Yet since she had requested his return, she could hardly object.
Henry spotted Clara and waved his appointment letter with a cold smile. "Thank you, Ms. Johnson, for personally inviting me back to restructure the purchasing department."
Henry moved with impressive efficiency. On his first day, he swiftly terminated contracts with substandard fabric suppliers, introduced premium international silk manufacturers, and ordered the disposal of all counterfeit materials stockpiled in the warehouse.
Clara, watching funds flowing out and profits shrinking, smashed three antique vases in her office in a fit of rage.
She stormed into the design department, pointing at Emily, cursing, "You did this deliberately, didn't you? Bringing in an outsider to disrupt the company. What are you plotting?"
Emily continued modifying her design sketches without looking up. "Henry is one of the founders. How could he possibly be an outsider? Unlike certain people who occupy positions they don't deserve and can't even distinguish quality fabrics from poor ones."
"You!"
Clara trembled with anger. Spotting Charles entering the room, she immediately produced tears. "Charles, look what she's doing."
Charles frowned slightly as he positioned himself between the women. "Emily, understand your place. Mirage Fashion belongs to Clara. You're just a designer—don't overstep your boundaries."
Emily's head snapped up, her eyes cold. "What exactly are you implying, Mr. Windsor? What gives Clara the right to claim Mirage Fashion?"
"The fact that your father Simon, personally appointed her as director," Charles replied calmly.
Emily let out a derisive laugh. "Simon? He's nothing. Mirage Fashion is my mother's legacy! It has nothing to do with incompetents like Clara and Simon!"
Charles attempted to respond, but Emily cut him off.
She stepped forward, meeting his gaze directly. "You're quite devoted to Clara, aren't you? Treating her like a precious crystal. Her lack of talent doesn't concern you at all. Are you blind, Mr. Windsor, or just willfully ignorant?"
Charles's expression darkened. "Emily! Clara has a good heart; she simply lacks experience. She's constantly striving to improve."
Emily's smile grew colder. "Learning how to act, perhaps? Her tearful performances might fool you, but not anyone with clear vision. Has your profound love for her completely destroyed your judgment?"
"Enough!" Charles interrupted harshly, anger swirling in his eyes.
He acknowledged Clara's limitations but appreciated her apparent dedication—arriving first and leaving last, her desk perpetually stacked with industry textbooks. Her diligence somewhat redeemed her in his estimation.
Emily observed his protective stance toward Clara and found it utterly absurd.
She took half a step back, adjusting her blouse collar. "Clearly, Mr. Windsor, love has clouded your reasoning. Fine. We'll see how this unfolds. Eventually, I will reclaim complete control of Mirage Fashion, and when that day comes, Ms. Johnson will be thrown out of my mother's company."
With that, she turned and walked away, her heels striking the floor with resolute clarity.
Charles stared at her retreating figure, his knuckles white with tension.
When would this woman learn to control her temper?
Didn't she understand that Mirage Fashion was no longer her mother's company? Her presence at Mirage Fashion only deepened the rift between the sisters, serving no constructive purpose.
Initially, Clara had hired Emily to revitalize Mirage Fashion, hoping to demonstrate her capabilities to Simon and gain control of the Johnson Group.
But with their escalating conflict and Emily's obvious intention to seize power, even if Emily successfully revitalized the company, Clara would receive no credit, rendering her efforts futile.
If Clara wanted the Johnson Group, he would find another way to help her.
Emily should leave Mirage Fashion, and he already had a plan in mind.
Clara timidly tugged at his sleeve. "Charles, am I causing you problems? Maybe I should just give Mirage Fashion to Emily?"
Charles softened his tone. "Don't be ridiculous. Mirage Fashion belongs to you. Someone else should be the one to leave."
He failed to notice the flash of triumph that briefly crossed Clara's downcast eyes.
Meanwhile, Henry immersed himself in Mirage Fashion's archives.
The events of six years ago remained vivid in his memory. Back then, as a veteran at Mirage Fashion, he had discovered an unaccounted-for transfer of substantial funds while reviewing financial statements.
Following the trail, he uncovered hints of share transfers. Just as he prepared to investigate further, Clara discovered his activities.
Though merely a newcomer to the company at the time, Clara knew how to leverage Simon's affection for her. She first spread rumors that Henry was embezzling funds, then tearfully complained to Simon that Henry was bullying her and deliberately obstructing her work.
Simon, already harboring resentment toward Scarlett's trusted subordinate, coupled with Celeste's instigation, quickly manufactured charges against Henry and dismissed him.
The day Henry was forced out, he left with lingering doubts and frustration. He remained convinced that something was amiss regarding the funds and share transfers, but lacked evidence.
Now back at Mirage Fashion, he was determined to uncover the truth.
Dust blanketed the archives as Henry began searching through the furthest cabinets.
He moved heavy boxes one by one, oblivious to the paper cuts on his fingers. Finally, in a cobweb-covered corner, he found the familiar file box he sought.
Opening it revealed a disorganized collection of documents.
Henry patiently examined each page. Just as his patience began to wane, a document that had been folded multiple times fell out.
He picked it up and unfolded it. His heart contracted violently—it was the complete share transfer agreement he had failed to locate six years ago.
It clearly stated that all shares of Mirage Fashion had been transferred to Celeste, signed by Simon just three months after Scarlett's death.