Chapter 98 Glamour Gem Group
Watching Nathan's retreating figure, Charles picked up his phone and looked at Emily's photo on the screen, his lips unconsciously curving into a smile.
He knew Emily was still resisting him, but he had patience. Someday, he would make Emily see his sincerity.
Meanwhile, Emily was in her office at Obscura Fashion, reviewing design sketches. When Nathan arrived with news about the funding, she paused for a moment, then frowned. "What's this money about?"
"Mr. Windsor funded it personally. He said Obscura Fashion shouldn't be delayed due to financial issues, and he also asked me to assign additional security to protect you from Marshall's harassment."
Emily fell silent for a moment, feeling a mix of complicated emotions.
Charles's gesture made her uncomfortable, but she had to admit this funding did solve Obscura Fashion's urgent problem.
She picked up her phone, looking at Charles's number, but ultimately didn't call.
Taking a deep breath, she said to Nathan, "Got it. You can go now. I don't need the security. I can handle myself."
With the funding secured, Emily needed to sort out the supply issues for these materials.
Her destination was Glamour Gem Group—a top-tier global jewelry material supplier that controlled various rare materials, especially the Miracite she urgently needed. Glamour Gem Group was the world's largest holder of this precious stone.
"Susan, book me an appointment with Glamour Gem Group. Tell them Emily from Obscura Fashion wants to discuss material procurement cooperation."
"Right away."
Half an hour later, Emily's assistant, Susan Gray, brought back surprising news.
Carol Rose, the head of Glamour Gem Group, had personally responded, inviting Emily to meet at their headquarters tomorrow at 10 AM.
"That fast?"
"I'm shocked, too. Glamour Gem Group has such high industry standing that usually cooperation requests get responses the next day at the earliest. We got a reply in just thirty minutes, and from Mrs. Rose, who rarely handles these matters personally. It's incredible."
Emily knew Carol's position at Glamour Gem Group, but precisely because she understood her elevated status and that she typically didn't manage such trivial matters, she found it even more surprising.
It seemed the rumors about Carol retiring were false.
With Carol involved, what she wanted to accomplish would be easier.
The next morning, Emily arrived punctually at Glamour Gem Group's headquarters, wearing a crisp white suit.
The receptionist led Emily through Glamour Gem Group's impressive lobby toward the top-floor conference room. Glass display cases along the corridors showcased various rare gemstone materials, their facets catching the light and casting brilliant reflections—everywhere demonstrating the global jewelry material supplier's impressive capabilities.
Opening the conference room door, someone was already inside.
A woman in a champagne-colored haute couture dress sat there, her makeup flawless, a large diamond ring on her finger as she touched up her lipstick in a compact mirror. Seeing Emily enter, she glanced over with undisguised disdain.
Emily paid no attention, walking directly to a window seat where she sat down, pulled out her tablet, and began reviewing her preliminary cooperation proposal for Glamour Gem Group.
"You're here for cooperation talks, too? Which company? I don't think we've met." The woman put down her lipstick and asked condescendingly.
Emily responded coolly, "Obscura Fashion. Emily."
The woman paused, then laughed as if she'd heard a joke. "Never heard of it. Must be some startup, right? Trying to get materials from Glamour Gem Group? I'd advise you not to waste your time. Glamour Gem Group's rare materials aren't available to just anyone."
Emily frowned slightly but didn't respond.
She was here for business cooperation, not to argue with irrelevant people.
Seeing Emily's silence, the woman assumed she'd hit a nerve and became even more smug. "I'm Valerie Johnson, Design Director at Luminance Jewels. You've surely heard of Luminance Jewels? We're a top-tier domestic jewelry brand here to discuss cooperation with Glamour Gem Group. Small companies like yours, even if you show up, you'll just be sidelined."
She deliberately flaunted her diamond bracelet, the stones flashing painfully bright under the lights.
"Let me tell you, Mrs. Rose doesn't meet with just anyone. I pulled many strings to get today's appointment. You probably won't even get to see Mrs. Rose. You should head back early instead of wasting time here."
Emily continued ignoring her, focusing on the materials on her tablet.
Seeing this impervious attitude, Valerie felt annoyed but said nothing more, occasionally glancing at Emily with pure contempt.
After about ten minutes, the conference room door opened. Carol's assistant entered with a smile, looking around the room. "Is Ms. Johnson here? Mrs. Rose is waiting in her office. Please come with me."
Hearing "Ms. Johnson," Valerie's eyes immediately lit up. She stood quickly, smoothing her dress and putting on a bright smile. "That's me! I'm Valerie. Thank you for coming—shall we go now?"
The assistant looked confused, glancing between Valerie and Emily, who remained seated. Then, realizing the mistake, she said somewhat awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Ms. Valerie Johnson. I'm looking for Ms. Emily Johnson."
Valerie's smile froze instantly, as if someone had doused her with ice water. She stood there stunned.
She pointed at Emily in disbelief. "Her? Someone from a tiny company gets to see Mrs. Rose first? Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"
"No mistake. Mrs. Rose specifically instructed me to prioritize Ms. Emily Johnson. Ms. Valerie Johnson, please wait a bit longer. Mrs. Rose will meet with you after she finishes with Ms. Johnson."
Valerie's face flushed red, as if she'd been publicly slapped.
Valerie had just been mocking Emily, saying Emily wouldn't even get to meet Carol, yet Emily was not only meeting her but getting priority treatment while Valerie had to keep waiting in the conference room.
Valerie could feel both the assistant's and Emily's gazes on her, those looks seeming to pierce right through her. She opened her mouth to say something, but couldn't find appropriate words, forcing herself to swallow her response.
Emily slowly stood, nodding to the assistant. "Thank you."
Then, without even glancing at Valerie's ashen face, she followed the assistant out of the conference room.
At the door, she faintly heard Valerie's suppressed fury behind her, "What kind of nobody company gets priority? Must have pulled some strings!"
Emily's lips curved into a subtle smile as she turned back and made a playful face.
Immediately, the sound of a glass hitting the floor echoed from the conference room.
Emily felt even more delighted.