Chapter 41 The New Company
Emily couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
She really didn't want the children getting involved in the entertainment industry. Although Elodie might be unreliable in some ways, she genuinely cared about the kids.
With her watching over them, nothing too terrible could happen.
She poked at the fried egg in the bowl, thinking, 'Fine, let them have their fun. Just don't let it interfere with their schoolwork.'
After breakfast, Emily changed into a sharp black business suit and prepared to head to her new company.
The Obscura Fashion that the Windsor Group had given her was not only a top-tier subsidiary, but also it came with three floors of space in the Windsor Group headquarters building. One floor would serve as a VIP custom boutique, while the other two would house the design studio and office space.
"Henry, I've sent the design plans to your email. Focus on the lighting renovation proposal. Bring the construction crew to the site at three this afternoon. I'll meet you at the Windsor Tower," she said, making the call as she walked out the door.
When she arrived at the Windsor Group headquarters, the reception desk had already been notified and respectfully escorted her to the private elevator.
The "Obscura Fashion" space still looked exactly as the previous manager had left it—polished cream marble floors that reflected like mirrors, and massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bustling traffic of the entire CBD.
Emily's heels clicked across the empty room as her fingertips traced the decorative molding on the walls.
"Tear this out and make it an open reception area," she said, pulling out a measuring tape. "Over there, partition off three VIP consultation rooms—soundproofing is crucial."
Her assistant scribbled notes frantically, then suddenly remembered something. "Ms. Johnson, Mr. Windsor said, if you need it, you can use the Windsor Group's renovation team."
Emily didn't look up from her tablet as she sketched. "No need. I have my own contractors."
She had no intention of letting Charles use renovation as an excuse to meddle in Obscura Fashion's affairs.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a photo from Elodie—Emma standing in front of the camera wearing a princess dress, with Ethan looking stern beside her. Behind them, a backdrop read "Skyline Entertainment Signing Ceremony."
The message that followed read: [They have their audition tomorrow.]
Emily looked at Ethan's mature expression in the photo and couldn't help but smile helplessly.
'Fine. Let them go cause some chaos.'
Right now, her mind was entirely focused on getting Obscura Fashion reopened within a month and capturing market share as quickly as possible, ensuring that Clara and Mirage Fashion would never recover.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a long shadow at her feet, like a predator preparing to strike.
The day after signing, Skyline Entertainment's exclusive van pulled up outside Elodie's building.
The window rolled down, and Ava waved with a beaming smile. "Ethan, Emma, hop in!"
The two kids wore brand-new overalls, holding Elodie's hands on either side.
As soon as they entered the company lobby, the receptionist stood there with two large bunches of cotton candy, her eyes crinkled into crescents. "Welcome, little sweethearts!"
Emma immediately let go of Elodie's hand, stood on her tiptoes to hug the cotton candy, and said in her sweet voice, "Thank you! Your lipstick color is so pretty today!"
This made the receptionist absolutely glow with joy, and she quickly stuffed a handful of fruit candies into Emma's pocket.
Ethan politely nodded. "Thank you very much."
Wesley's dressing room had been temporarily converted into a children's playroom, with Lego blocks and picture books scattered across the carpet. A nutritionist followed behind with a cart full of organic snacks prepared according to dietary recommendations.
Emma launched herself like a little cannonball into Wesley's arms, pointing at the script on his desk. "Wesley, is this what we're going to perform?"
Wesley set down the script and pinched her cheek. "That's right. Think you're up for the challenge?"
"Of course I am!" Emma puffed out her chest, then suddenly leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Wesley, I know you're an award-winning actor. Can you secretly teach me a winning secret?"
This made Wesley burst out laughing. "The secret is—being as adorable as Emma is enough!"
Wesley couldn't help but think to himself, 'Even though Ethan looks way too much like Charles, which makes me want to ruffle his composure, Emma is absolutely precious.'
For Emma's sake, he'd refrain from teasing the little guy.
In the audition room, the director was already prepared.
The moment the children entered, filming was about to begin. The photographer raised his camera and called out, "Come on, look at the lens and give me a smile."
Emma immediately broke into a sweet smile, her eyes curving into little crescents, and she even winked playfully, instantly melting the hearts of everyone on set.
Ethan stood perfectly straight, unfazed by the camera, his eyes clear but with a hint of seriousness. When the director asked him to act out "eating something disgusting," he furrowed his brow slightly and turned his mouth down at the corners—an expression identical to Charles when he tasted food he didn't like.
Wesley sat behind the monitor, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest.
That furrowed brow, that way of pursing his lips—it was like a miniature version of Charles!
When the audition ended, all the crew members burst into applause.
The director exclaimed excitedly, "Perfect! These two children were born for the camera!"
The crew surrounded the children, some offering them juice, others handing out snacks, everyone's face glowing with affection.
Emma accepted the treats and sweetly said, "Thank you all! You've been working so hard!"
Ethan gave his portion of snacks to a nearby prop assistant, saying quietly, "You should have some too."
Everyone was even more charmed by how thoughtful and adorable these children were—they were clearly destined to be everyone's favorites.
During the break, Wesley called Ethan over and casually asked, "Ethan, your mom's work must be pretty tiring, does she?"
Ethan blinked, remembering that when Elodie had lied, she'd said their mother was her colleague, so he cleverly replied, "Yeah, Mom's work at the hospital is really hard."
Wesley smiled slightly. Such a young child, yet his words were completely flawless—much better than Elodie, who couldn't tell a lie to save her life.
Elodie felt her scalp tingling under Wesley's gaze and could only grab some fruit from the table, pretending to be enthusiastic. "Wesley, have some fruit! These strawberries are so sweet."
She handed Wesley strawberries while shooting meaningful looks at Ethan, signaling him to stop talking.
Ethan understood Elodie's expression and pulled Emma over to play with Legos, leaving Elodie to face Wesley's interrogation alone.
Wesley set down the strawberry and asked seriously, "Elodie, tell me honestly. Are these Charles and Emily's children?"