Chapter 126
Sarah's eyes were red as she gasped for air. Thinking about William's recent attitude toward her made her feel like she was suffocating.
She'd tried acting cute, faking illness, jumping off buildings, and cutting her wrists - all just to win his brief company. Deep down, she knew clearly that William was drifting further and further away from her, step by step, getting closer to that bitch Ava. She just didn't want to admit it.
Emily helped her walk slowly back to their booth.
Sarah felt bitter inside. She had to come up with a good plan to completely drive Ava away from William's side.
"Emily, can you contact those media people from last time again?"
Emily didn't catch on to what she was planning.
"Last time? That reporter friend of mine got kicked out of Emerald City by my brother's people, and his company went under too."
Emily didn't even want to bring up this embarrassing history. She hadn't gotten the job done and had dragged her friend down with her. She'd bragged in front of him, patting her chest, saying it was fine, that she'd take care of any problems.
In the end, William struck hard and fast - the guy lost his job the very same day, with no chance of recovery.
Emily felt completely humiliated and hadn't dared contact that friend since.
Sarah pressed on, "Contact him again. What we didn't pull off last time, let's try once more. We'll succeed eventually."
As she said this, her eyes were vicious, filled with determination to destroy Ava.
Emily looked troubled.
"Do we really have to try again? My friend is probably too scared - he's afraid my brother will kill him..."
This time, Sarah was going all in. "What's there to be afraid of? Things are already at this point - how could they get worse? If it works out, give him a big sum of money. That's a hundred times better than doing odd jobs in some small city."
Her friend was already unemployed - how much worse could it get? People like him, working-class folks, what they need most is money. Give them money, and what job won't they do? Do this one job and get a big payout - anyone would be willing to take such a sure deal.
Emily was convinced. "Alright. I'll contact him again."
William carefully examined the newly made diamond bracelet. It had a strong design sense, looking more elegant than anything on the market, with an added touch of unique charm.
No matter how he looked at it, he felt it had traces of Lolly's design style. The two of them had an unpleasant argument about this last time, so he didn't dare bring it up again and just buried it in his heart.
For now, they'd produce two bracelets. Following usual practice, one for Ava and the other as an exhibit for the launch event. After the launch, they'd sell it at a high price.
He had someone package both bracelets, with Ava's wrapped more carefully. Back in his office, he dialed Ava's internal line.
"Come to my office for a moment."
Ava paused. She'd gotten back to SilkGrove Estates very late yesterday, thinking he was already asleep, but he hadn't come home all night - who knows what he was busy with.
She locked her computer screen and headed upstairs with her phone.
The nineteenth floor was quiet in the afternoon. Probably all the colleagues were still drowsy, not yet fully into work mode. There wasn't a single person in his office reporting on work.
When William saw Ava enter, he glanced up. "Close the door."
Ava tensed up, remembering the last time she was bullied by him against this door.
"What is it?"
She got straight to the point.
William snorted. What kind of question was that - couldn't he call for her even if there was nothing?
He took out the packaged diamond bracelet from his drawer and placed it on the desk. "Come look at the piece you designed. After tomorrow's launch, it'll be available for public sale. You get the first one to try out."
Ava actually wasn't into diamonds - she preferred jewelry.
But you don't slap a smiling face. William was clearly giving her something, and she couldn't be ungrateful. Ava walked over and opened the delicate jewelry box.
The finished bracelet was stunning, looking much better than on the blueprint.
After all, all those diamonds weren't set for nothing - it looked sparkly and bright. Under lights or sunlight, it would shine even more.
"It's really pretty."
She praised it sincerely. This wasn't her first time owning something she'd designed, but she still couldn't help feeling a little excited.
He had personally overseen the factory, turning that blueprint into a real object, and then delivered it into her hands. The meaning was different. Ava thought this bracelet was probably something she'd treasure, treasure so much she'd be reluctant to wear it out.
William put down his pen. "Need help?"
Ava went, "Huh?" thinking, 'Help with what?'
William had already taken the bracelet and was putting it on her wrist. It matched perfectly with her porcelain-white, delicate skin. He thought it would look even better with that dress.
However, right now, he didn't want to bring out the dress hidden in the lounge. As James said, knowing in advance ruins the surprise.
"Tomorrow you need to prepare - put on some makeup, look presentable. I've prepared your outfit. And someone's written what you need to say - you just need to memorize it when the time comes."
He rarely let her wear makeup, but this time he was generous, telling her to look presentable.
Ava perked up when she heard the second part.
"I have to speak, too?"
In this kind of situation, facing the media, she'd definitely be nervous.
William made an affirmative sound, thinking that once the marriage news was announced, as the boss's wife of the Morgan Group, she'd have to say a few words at least, right? Who knows what sharp questions those media people might ask?
"Don't worry, I'll be there. If there's anything you don't want to say, no one will dare force you. Just go through the motions, leave the rest to me."
Ava felt more at ease, thinking it would be good to have him standing beside her.
She'd never stood with him openly in such a grand setting before. She could consider it the wedding he owed her.
Thinking of this, Ava actually looked forward to tomorrow.
The launch was set for ten in the morning.
Early that day, Ava was woken up by William to get styled. William had communicated with the stylist in advance - the makeup couldn't be too heavy, especially the eye makeup.
She already had fox eyes with eyelashes long as raven feathers - it couldn't be too seductive.
The stylist got the key point - keep the eye makeup light.
Ava had great skin, barely needing any concealer or anything like that. Just basic skincare and a layer of foundation were enough, which already looked much better than ordinary people.
The launch was being held in the lobby of the Morgan Group building.
Ava let the group fuss over her makeup, then was mysteriously led to the CEO's office.
William had already arranged everything and was waiting downstairs. With less than an hour until the launch, the venue was already set up - they just needed people in place.
James looked at the warm decoration, thinking - had William's taste changed? In the past, when holding launches, the venue always followed his cold, minimalist style, all decorated in black, white, and gray. Today, surprisingly, he'd used white and pink, and even put out lots of flowers and balloons. Why did it look a bit like a wedding venue?