Chapter 117
Frederick raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by how quickly she'd stepped into the role. That hint of amusement flickered in his eyes again. "Go on."
"I need thirty percent as an advance payment. Also, I want to see specific numbers for the profit-sharing percentage, written clearly in a formal contract."
She paused, meeting his inquiring gaze, and added: "You know I need the money..."
Frederick listened quietly, then suddenly gave a soft laugh. "Money-grubber."
The teasing carried a barely perceptible trace of indulgence, but Beatrice was too preoccupied to notice. She took it as typical capitalist mockery toward an employee.
Frederick agreed without hesitation. "Tomorrow Liam will bring the contract. All terms will be as you requested."
His quick agreement left Beatrice with all her prepared arguments stuck in her throat.
---
The next day, while Beatrice was still asleep, the Stuart Group's operations and administrative departments were already in an uproar.
It had started when Liam created a new group chat at 3 AM and dropped a bombshell.
[Liam: @All, Urgent notice: Relaunch the domestic business line for our high-end jewelry brand 'Elysian'.]
[Liam: Design department, I want to see all core members of Elysian's European team at headquarters within three days. HR, coordinate their visas and accommodations.]
[Liam: Admin department, clear the entire east side of the 32nd floor in the Stuart Group Building. I need a top-tier design studio renovation plan before tomorrow. Requirements: panoramic views, excellent lighting, state-of-the-art equipment.]
The chat remained dead silent for three seconds before erupting.
Elysian? That barely surviving brand rumored to be Frederick's casual, money-burning venture just to gain a foothold in the European market? Now being relaunched? With the entire team relocated from Europe? And taking up the prime real estate of the 32nd floor?
Everyone knew the 32nd floor was Frederick's territory. Placing a nearly exiled sub-brand's design studio directly under his nose was baffling—until Liam sent his final message.
[Liam: Additionally, Mr. Stuart will personally oversee the 'Heart of the Deep Sea' collection from design to launch. The chief designer has been selected and will start soon.]
Instantly, speculation ran wild.
What jewelry chief designer besides Beatrice could cause such a massive mobilization across the entire group?
A new rumor about Beatrice quickly emerged—the beautiful troublemaker disrupting the group's strategic deployment.
Liam stared at the constant stream of private message notifications appearing on his phone and massaged his temples in frustration.
---
Three days later, Beatrice, holding a contract with terms so generous they made her head spin, followed Liam into the Stuart Group Building for the first time as an "employee."
"This way, Ms. Jennings," Liam said in the elevator, naturally switching to her new title.
The elevator stopped at the 32nd floor.
When the doors opened, Beatrice froze.
She had imagined her office might be a well-lit cubicle or perhaps a quiet, independent small room.
What she saw exceeded all expectations.
The entire eastern side of the floor had been completely opened up, creating a vast, expansive space.
Directly facing the elevator wasn't a wall but a massive glass panel with the 'Elysian' logo printed in elegant font.
Inside was a minimalist industrial design with several large workstations arranged thoughtfully. Cutting-edge equipment gleamed under the lights.
By the windows was a perfectly positioned lounge area with a coffee machine and plush sofas, offering a spectacular view.
The entire studio exuded modernity and artistic sensibility.
"Is this... Elysian's design department?" Beatrice could hardly believe it.
"Yes." Liam pushed open the glass door with a welcoming gesture. "It was renovated overnight according to your professional requirements and Mr. Stuart's specifications. The rest of the team will arrive this afternoon. Feel free to familiarize yourself with the environment. Your chief designer's office is at the far end."
Beatrice looked in the direction he indicated.
At the deepest part of the open space was indeed a separate room.
However, this so-called "private" design studio also featured three massive floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
One faced outward, overlooking most of Silverwave City's splendor.
Another faced the spacious common office area, while the third directly faced the door to Frederick's office.
Just then, the executive elevator chimed, and its doors slowly opened.
Frederick appeared to be heading to a meeting. He walked forward without a sideways glance, but as he passed the glass wall, his step faltered almost imperceptibly.
His gaze, through the transparent glass, landed precisely on Beatrice.
Their eyes met.
He didn't speak, but the corner of his mouth curved into the slightest smile.
Beatrice stood motionless until he disappeared down the corridor, only then slowly looking away.
---
In the afternoon, Elysian's European team arrived.
Leading them was a Seraphim man named Leo, in his early forties, wearing an impeccably tailored smoke-gray suit with a meticulously groomed beard. His eyes carried the characteristic scrutiny and discernment of an artist.
He was Elysian's design director. With him came three core designers—two men and one woman—each with an expression that clearly said, "We're expensive and not to be trifled with."
They were obviously suspicious about this sudden "strategic relocation."
A brand forgotten by headquarters and left to fend for itself in Europe for years had overnight been recalled, given top resources and the most prominent location. It was highly unusual.
Even more unusual was the parachuted-in chief designer.
Too beautiful, too young—not someone who seemed capable of shouldering a chief position.
After Liam made brief introductions and left, the atmosphere in the spacious studio turned somewhat awkward.
"Ms. Jennings," Leo spoke first, his voice carrying a hint of refined accent, "pleased to meet you. However, before we officially begin work, may I see your previous portfolio?"
This was both industry protocol and a test.
Beatrice nodded, offering no unnecessary words as she connected her laptop to the projector.
The screen lit up, displaying a series of design sketches and finished product photos.
From her award-winning college pieces to her limited private commissions.
Dynamic, bold, filled with Lumarian essence, yet cleverly integrating modern aesthetics.
The studio fell silent except for the soft whirring of the projector.
The polite facade on Leo's face gradually gave way to genuine interest.
When a design sketch for a brooch themed around "crysalis" appeared, he suddenly spoke: "Stop."
Beatrice paused the presentation.
"This concept is fascinating," Leo walked to the screen, pointing at the complex structure. "The 'butterfly emerging from chrysalis' idea is common, but your use of crushed diamonds and platinum filaments to represent light penetrating the pupal shell at that moment—that's brilliant. However... this connection point, if done with traditional prong setting, would destroy the overall sense of lightness."
His comment was quite blunt, almost directly questioning her professional ability.
The designers behind him exchanged looks, anticipating drama.