Chapter 103

Chapter 103

After Griffin left, Cordelia realized there was still one thing she'd forgotten to ask.

Holden was coming to Vogue Vortex for a guest lecture, and she had no idea how it was being arranged.

When Liliana sat down, Cordelia noticed she'd brought two servings of food—and every dish happened to be something Cordelia loved.

"I saw the good stuff was running low, so I went ahead and grabbed yours first. I was worried there'd be nothing left." Liliana ducked her head, a little sheepish. "Sorry, I probably should've asked."

Cordelia couldn't help but laugh. "You brought me lunch and you're apologizing? I should be the one thanking you."

It was as if Liliana was terrified of upsetting her.

Cordelia didn't understand the reason behind Liliana's caution, but so far, her impression of the girl was good.

It suddenly reminded her of the first time she'd met Sloane. Her first impression hadn't been bad then, either.

Back then, she'd genuinely believed they could become good friends.

Liliana quietly let out a breath of relief.

Thank God she'd paid attention and asked around about Cordelia's favorite dishes beforehand.

All morning, Liliana kept stealing glances at Cordelia. She was completely focused when she worked, radiating an effortless magnetism just sitting there—nothing like the broken, helpless woman she'd been in front of Ellington yesterday.

Was this really a doomed relationship? Cordelia looked perfectly fulfilled and happy on her own. She didn't need Ellington at all!

After lunch, the two walked back to the office together. On the way, Cordelia suddenly asked, "Why did you want to join the design department? I heard you don't have any design experience."

"I think it's incredible—being able to create something with your own hands. But my family was totally against me studying design. They probably only agreed to let me come to Vogue Vortex hoping I'd give up once I saw how hard it was."

By comparison, Cordelia felt she was far luckier. At least her parents had always fully supported her pursuing a career in design.

Soon it was time for the afternoon shift. They returned to their desks, and everyone seemed to settle into work mode.

But a closer look at the screens would reveal that not everyone was actually working.

Cordelia, of course, was genuinely focused on her design drafts.

Liliana, on the other hand, was secretly messaging Ellington.

[Cordelia seems totally fine. She's working hard and looks way better than yesterday.]

[But when I came back from getting lunch, I saw some guy talking to her. Who is he? Not bad-looking either. Definitely potential competition for you.]

The only person at Vogue Vortex who'd approach Cordelia voluntarily was probably Griffin. No one else would dare.

But Ellington wasn't about to spell that out. Some things Liliana didn't need to know.

[Sounds like you two are getting along?]

Liliana didn't reply.

Cordelia had appeared beside her at some point, assigning her a task.

"These are company files. Familiarize yourself with them first—you won't be able to do any real work otherwise."

Liliana quickly closed the chat window. From Cordelia's expression, she hadn't noticed.

Close call.

"Come with me. There are some basics I need to walk you through."

Liliana's whole purpose in joining Vogue Vortex was to keep an eye on Cordelia. She'd never actually planned to work.

But now, it looked like she had no choice.

At the end of the day, Liliana had hoped to casually invite Cordelia to dinner—maybe create an opportunity for her and Ellington to meet. But Cordelia was staying late?

Lingering any longer would look suspicious, so Liliana left.

A thought struck her: Ellington's chances were even more hopeless than she'd imagined.

Cordelia was thriving after the divorce. What did she need a man for?

---

The day of Holden's lecture at Vogue Vortex arrived quickly. Virtually every employee was expected to attend, along with other prominent designers and corporate representatives from the industry.

As Cordelia made her way to the main conference hall, Griffin's words kept replaying in her mind.

The lecture was meant to promote exchange and elevate both parties' design skills. But Vogue Vortex and Holden—and every other renowned designer, for that matter—were fundamentally competitors.

This lecture probably wasn't going to be just a lecture.

Cordelia was seated in the second row, with Griffin directly in front of her.

Given her seniority at Vogue Vortex, she shouldn't have been anywhere near the front.

Griffin must have arranged it.

The hall filled quickly, and Holden took the stage to a wave of applause.

Cordelia recalled her one previous encounter with Holden.

He was Ondine's uncle. If it came down to loyalties, he'd stand with Ondine.

Holden picked up the microphone, his sharp gaze sweeping over the audience. It paused—just for a fraction of a second—in Cordelia's direction.

Then he began to speak.

That single glance left Cordelia inexplicably uneasy.

But maybe she was overthinking it. A prominent figure like him had no reason to single out a nobody like her at an event this high-profile.

"Among you are leaders in the design field, and also newcomers just starting out. Whether you're at Vogue Vortex or any other design firm, there's one thing you need to understand first."

"Your designs serve the market. You need to figure out what the market wants before you can generate revenue. If you've chosen to create market-driven designs, then leave your little artistic ideals at the door. That's better for you and better for the work."

Holden kept talking, barely pausing.

Something about his tone rubbed Cordelia the wrong way.

She understood that design had to align with market demand to be profitable—that making money and making art were two different things. But Holden's delivery was dripping with arrogance.

This purely profit-driven philosophy—what was it supposed to do for newcomers just entering the field?

"Companies need to make money. I'm sure plenty of you need to make a living, too. Art doesn't pay the bills. Figure out what the market wants to see, then design accordingly. It'll save you a lot of wasted effort."

Cordelia had heard enough.

Maybe she was still too green, too idealistic.

Holden's claim about leaving artistic aspirations out of commercial work sounded neutral enough at first. But the longer he talked, the more mercenary it became.

"I believe today's lecture was supposed to be an exchange of design philosophies—a chance for mutual growth. Not a sermon."