Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Liliana looked puzzled. "Doesn't everyone who wants to do design dream of working at Vogue Vortex? You can learn so much here."

"But with your family's money, if you really wanted to learn design, you could go somewhere better suited for you. A slower-paced company, or a design school—either would work. But Vogue Vortex isn't right for where you are now."

Over the time they'd spent together, Cordelia had always sensed something off about Liliana. Something she couldn't quite name.

Liliana acted like she knew nothing about design. But certain details gave her away.

She'd either worked in the industry before or had formal training.

Yet she'd entered Vogue Vortex posing as a clueless outsider who'd gotten in through connections—and had been trying to get close to Cordelia ever since.

Cordelia had watched her interactions with their coworkers too.

Since joining the design department, Liliana had only cozied up to her. She never initiated contact with anyone else.

Cordelia already had a theory. She just hadn't confirmed it yet.

She'd originally figured there was no benefit in calling Liliana out. If the girl wanted to keep up the act, fine—she didn't seem to mean any harm.

But now Cordelia felt some things needed to be said.

"Liliana, do I need to keep spelling it out? I'd rather hear what you have to say."

Silence stretched between them.

Liliana hadn't expected to be found out so quickly. She let out a breath of genuine admiration. "Was I really that obvious? You truly are my sister-in-law."

The moment that title left her lips, Cordelia's suspicion was confirmed.

"So you came to Vogue Vortex because Ellington wanted you to?"

Surely this hadn't been Liliana's own idea.

"I wouldn't put it that way. It was my idea—Ellington just helped me get in. Otherwise, with that man's personality, you'd be married to someone else before he ever made a move."

Liliana was practically dying of frustration on Ellington's behalf.

How many days had passed now? He still hadn't done a single thing.

Was this really how someone was supposed to win back their wife?

But there wasn't much she could do either.

Matters of the heart—they had to figure it out themselves.

"So you pushing me to open my own studio every day—that's his idea too?"

The question stumped Liliana. It took her a long moment to realize the misunderstanding.

"That has nothing to do with him. It's entirely my own thought. With your talent, you really could leave Vogue Vortex."

For most people, Vogue Vortex was an incredible platform. But for someone like Cordelia, it wasn't necessarily essential.

If she wanted to, she could absolutely accept outside investment, start her own studio, and come out ahead of anything she'd earn here.

Cordelia shook her head. "That's not how I see it."

Leaving Vogue Vortex wasn't the hard part. But if she actually started a studio, keeping it going long-term would be a different story.

"Before I joined Vogue Vortex, had you ever heard my name?" Cordelia explained slowly. "And after I joined? Things were different, weren't they?"

"Liliana, it's not that simple. And it's not something I can decide alone."

Right now, Vogue Vortex had made her—not the other way around.

If she left now, how would that be any different from biting the hand that fed her?

Besides, Griffin was the one running this branch.

She already owed Griffin enough. If she just up and left to start her own studio, what would he think?

Liliana half-understood. "So once you're more established and famous, then you could open your own studio?"

Cordelia laughed softly. "Maybe."

By then, her thoughts might have changed entirely.

Who could say?

"Anyway, stop bringing up the studio thing around me. I have my own plans."

Liliana agreed and dropped it.

But privately, she was already thinking—what could she do to speed up Ellington and Cordelia's remarriage?

If only Raina were home. Then there'd be none of this mess with Flynn and those other women.

---

Right before the end of the workday, Griffin suddenly asked Cordelia for her past design drafts.

"What do you need drafts for? And the process documentation too—what use could any of that be?"

Griffin's explanation was brief.

"Headquarters wants to see them."

Vogue Vortex headquarters… wanted to see them?

Cordelia's lips parted, but no sound came out. "Why would headquarters want these?"

The last time anyone asked to see her drafts, it was judges observing in person at a competition. She'd assumed no one cared about that stuff behind the scenes.

She never expected headquarters to ask.

They hadn't asked for any of this when she was first hired either.

"Word came from headquarters. They want to transfer you there—the process can start now."

Griffin paused, then offered a different explanation.

The transfer was a certainty. But providing original sketches and process records wasn't actually required for it.

Someone else wanted to see them.

When Griffin first got the news, even he was surprised. He hadn't expected a client to specifically request Cordelia as lead designer. They wanted to see her original work to verify that everything she'd achieved since entering the industry was earned on her own merit.

Too many people in this world were all flash and no substance. The bigger the corporation, the harder it was to find someone truly talented who also fit their vision.

Ondine's plagiarism scandal was a textbook example.

Griffin didn't want Cordelia getting her hopes up for nothing. Submitting the drafts didn't guarantee she'd land the project.

The transfer itself, though—that was only a matter of time.

Still, the news alone was enough to stun Cordelia.

Joy flooded through her chest.

"Really?"

So Xander hadn't just been comforting her after all?

Her disbelief left Griffin at a loss for how to explain.

What could he say?

"The official paperwork isn't done yet. Headquarters is still processing it. Once the formal notice comes through, you'll submit your materials. Give it about two months total, and you'll be working at headquarters." Griffin paused, feigning a sigh. "But judging by your reaction, it's a little early for congratulations. You don't believe me? I'm hurt."

That last line made Cordelia laugh out loud.

This was so unlike Griffin.

"What are you talking about? Of course I believe you."

She just couldn't believe the transfer was actually happening this smoothly.

Even now, it still felt like a dream.