Chapter 94 The New Product's Explosive Success
Listening to Marshall's idiotic rambling, Celeste inwardly sneered while maintaining her cheerful facade. "Marshall, you're so capable—you'll definitely manage Mirage Fashion well in the future. But since you just arrived in Emerald City, take a few days to relax first. There's no rush with company business. Once you've had your rest, I'll accompany you to the office to get familiar with operations."
Throughout the ride, Marshall alternated between asking about Emerald City's entertainment spots and making crude jokes with the female assistants. Every sentence revolved around drinking, partying, and women—the perfect picture of a worthless playboy.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Celeste listened to the rowdy laughter from the back and felt sick to her stomach, but forced herself to keep flattering him. "Marshall, if you enjoy nightlife, I'll arrange even more for you later. I guarantee you'll have the time of your life in Emerald City."
She knew that as long as she could keep Marshall distracted, once the "Lustre" jewelry launched, everything would turn around. All this groveling was for Clara to protect her inheritance.
A week flew by in a flash. Under Celeste's careful arrangements, Marshall spent every day bar-hopping and club-crawling, surrounded by women, completely forgetting about taking over Mirage Fashion.
That morning, still nursing a hangover, he was jolted awake by a financial news alert on his phone.
"Mirage Fashion's New 'Lustre' Jewelry Line Sells Out on Launch Day, Stock Price Surges 30%."
"What the hell?" Marshall rubbed his throbbing head and slammed his fist on the table. "I haven't even started yet. How is there already a new product launch?"
Only then did he remember why he'd come to Emerald City. He hastily threw on a wrinkled suit, didn't even bother combing his hair, and hailed a cab to Mirage Fashion.
The moment he walked through the company doors, Marshall put on the airs of a future boss, chin raised high, barking orders at the receptionist. "Get your department heads over here—I've got something to say!"
The front desk staff had never seen him before. She was timidly about to contact her supervisor when Marshall had already swaggered into the office area.
In the design department, employees were busy processing orders for "Lustre" jewelry.
Marshall immediately zeroed in on a young female designer at her workstation. He walked straight over and reached out to pat her shoulder. "So you guys made this 'Lustre' stuff? Pretty impressive. Work under me from now on, and I guarantee you promotions and raises!"
The female designer jumped in fright, nearly dropping her mouse, and quickly scooted away from him.
Her colleagues frowned, but nobody dared speak up; after all, everyone had heard Marshall was Simon's nephew and might be taking over the company.
Seeing no one dared resist, Marshall became even more brazen, reaching out to grab the designer's hair. "What are you dodging for? I don't bite..."
"Marshall, what do you think you're doing?"
Just then, Shirley rushed over, slapping his hand away and shielding the female designer behind her. "This is a workplace, not your personal playground!"
Marshall stumbled backward from the push, immediately flying into a rage. "Who the hell do you think you are, interfering with my business! Believe me, I can have you fired tomorrow!"
As they faced off, commotion erupted at the company entrance—Simon had arrived.
He'd just received a report from his assistant about "Lustre's" massive success and was completely bewildered, having no idea who had pushed this project forward. His first instinct was to find Marshall and get answers.
"Marshall, what's this 'Lustre' situation?" Simon strode into the office area, scanning the chaotic scene with deeply furrowed brows. "Why is the office in such an uproar?"
The moment Marshall saw Simon, his eyes lit up. He immediately rushed over, puffing out his chest to claim credit, "Simon, perfect timing! I masterminded this 'Lustre' launch! I knew the company's performance had been struggling lately, so I specifically worked with designers to rush this product. Who would've thought it'd be such a hit right out of the gate? Look, the stock price is up!"
"You masterminded it?" Simon looked completely confused. Marshall had this kind of capability? He'd truly underestimated him before.
Before Simon could think further, Celeste hurried in from outside, carrying the original design drafts and production records for "Lustre."
She'd arrived just in time to witness Marshall taking false credit and immediately contradicted him, "Marshall, what nonsense are you spouting! You had nothing to do with 'Lustre'!"
Marshall's expression changed, glaring at Celeste, "Celeste, what are you doing here? I'm talking to Simon—this is none of your business! Just go home where you belong."
Celeste laughed contemptuously, walking up to Simon and handing over her documents. "Simon, take a look. These are the original design drafts for 'Lustre'—Clara's approved concept from before. The revision records and factory coordination details are all here. Shirley and Clara pushed this through together. Marshall had absolutely nothing to do with it!"
Shirley immediately stepped forward, pulling out chat logs on her phone. "Mr. Johnson, look, these are my conversations with Ms. Johnson discussing 'Lustre' design details, plus production updates from the factory. We worked around the clock this past week to make it happen. Marshall never even came to the office until today. How could he have been involved in planning?"
Employees around them nodded in agreement, with the bolder ones quietly adding, "That's right, Mr. Johnson. This is Marshall's first time at the company, and he was just harassing a colleague."
Marshall's face turned red as he frantically pointed at everyone. "You're all lying! You're in cahoots! Simon, don't believe them—this 'Lustre' was my..."
"Enough!"
Simon cut him off sharply. Looking at the documents in his hands, then at the expressions of the surrounding employees, he already had his answer. He'd thought Marshall might have some competence, never imagining he was just a bragging liar!
Simon's expression grew darker, fixing Marshall with a gaze full of disappointment and fury. "You have the nerve to speak? I sent you here to take over the company—this is how you handle it? Partying and womanizing all day, causing scenes at the office, and now taking credit for other people's work! You've disappointed me beyond words!"
Marshall was struck speechless, opening and closing his mouth without managing a single word.
Seeing Simon's icy stare, then Celeste and Shirley's determined expressions, he finally realized that Celeste had played him.
At that moment, holding the "Lustre" design drafts, Simon's mind kept returning to Clara's previous design talent, and his thinking completely shifted.
He turned to Celeste, his tone softening slightly, "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"
Celeste's heart eased, knowing Simon was wavering. She quickly said, "Clara's been building her skills steadily. She truly has talent in design. Please give her another chance!"