Novel Square
Chapter 450
Chapter 450
Chapter 450 Important Contest Matters
Leah did not seem surprised at all by the news. Smiling, she nodded. "Thank you. You've put in a lot of work for this." The designs that her studio produced were novel, innovative, and reasonably priced; it was only natural that they would be very popular on the market. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
At the same time, a storm was brewing in the CEO's office at the Frey Corporation building.
"All of you are useless! Don't we have any better designers? Where the hell has this Dream Designs company sprung up from? They've taken away a ton of our collaborative projects!"
Documents were strewn all over the floor. The terrified secretary, who had been yelled at until they were shaking in their shoes, plucked up enough courage to stammer, "S…sir, this isn't exactly our fault either. It's just that Dream Designs' work is outstanding, and their prices are very reasonable. Perhaps we can consider lowering our prices as well?"
This suggestion, unfortunately, did not find favor at all with the middle-aged, bald CEO. With a ferocious expression on his pudgy, greasy face, he snarled, "Lower our prices? Do you know how much we'll lose if we drop our prices by just ten cents, even? Go and hire some of those internationally famous designers! I don't believe that one ramshackle little fledgling company like that can compete with us! We've been established for over ten years! The Frey Corporation has dominated the market from the start, and now this upstart Dream Designs has suddenly made off with part of our share. I'm extremely upset about this. Find a way to get their person in charge here. I want to have a talk with them!"
The frazzled, trembling secretary immediately went to the computer and looked up the available information on Dream Designs.
"Sir, this company was just established this year. The person in charge is Sarah White, along with the well-known international jewelry designer Cindy. Their CEO is Serena Coleman, who is also a globally- renown designer…"
Bernard Carter, the middle-aged, bald CEO, paused and scrunched his brow in deep thought. "Why do those two names sound so familiar? Sarah White…wait, isn't she that Han Howard fellow's wife? Her husband's already been arrested; why is she still able to establish a company?"
The secretary explained, "Apparently they didn't formally register their marriage. Furthermore, Mr. Howard backs her up in this and he's also Mr. Hendrik. That's more than enough to keep her safe and out of trouble."
Bernard gave a start. "Now I remember. She was the woman that Mr. Hendrik was protecting. However, it's also been established beyond doubt that Han Howard and Mr. Hendrik are one and the same. If that's the case, we can't use ordinary measures to deal with Dream Designs. Alright, listen up. The International Design Contest is happening in a month…" The CEO leaned closer to his secretary. In a muffled tone, he muttered his orders and a venomous look flashed through his eyes.
Evening came, and the sun's fading rays were hidden behind the clouds.
Serena stopped Leah, who was getting ready to leave the office. She looked rather agitated. "Sarah, that Mr. Wright messaged me. He said he'll meet me here and take me home. Is he insane or something? I've already laid out everything clearly for him, and he still wants to bother me every day! Call Han and get him to send the fellow away…"
Regretfully, Leah shook her head. "I'm telling you, those two are of the same mind. Han was insistent that Mr. Wright try his luck with you. I only said a few words the last time, and he got mad at me."
Serena sagged, looking as if she would die on the spot. "Oh, alright, alright. I'll have to leave quietly by the back door. You have to cover for me, okay?"
As Leah went with Serena to the back door, she asked, "The International Design Contest is coming up. Do you want to take part?"
Serena pulled herself together and gave this some consideration. "I can't go. If that Mr. Wright finds out about my travel plans, he's going to show up and bother me every day. You'd better go this time. Our company is very new, and it's essential that we gain some sort of global recognition."
Leah nodded. "Well, the contest information states that each participating company can only send one person anyway. We have so many people in the company now; we'll need to hold an internal design competition to choose the best person for the event. We've been steadily expanding the business for the last two months, which is excellent. If we manage to place in the International Design Contest, we'll be able to get support funding from the government, and we'll be listed in the Top 50 Who's Who rankings for new, influential companies. That will boost our popularity significantly."
The International Design Contest this time was a crucial event.
After Leah had seen Serena off, she went back to her own office and began drafting plans for the studio's internal design competition. She had just worked out the schedule for the entire event when Susan called her on the phone.
"Sarah, I noticed your company has registered for the International Design Contest. Are you sending in your design, then?'
Leah shook her head as she wrote down a few names. "I don't know yet. We need to hold an internal company-wide competition first. If there's anyone who shows greater potential, I'll have them represent the company in the Contest."
Susan could not help feeling worried about this. "Dream Designs is a newly-established company. This is a crucial period for you; I don't think it's wise to let someone else handle something so important. Not
only that, if you lose, you won't be able to get governmental support funding or be listed in the Who's Who for new, influential companies."
Naturally, Leah was aware of how important the International Design Contest was. "I know. It's just that if I enter the competition and don't place, it will certainly affect the solidarity within the company. Anyway, if there's someone here who's even more talented than I am, I plan to let them represent Dream Designs; I'll stay here and see to any company matters."
Susan sighed at Leah's insistence. "You'd better be extra discerning then," she advised. "Don't send anyone with a questionable background or credentials. I'm not trying to be an alarmist or scare you; I'm telling you this as someone who's been in the business for a long time. There are deep waters in this industry, deeper than you might think."
Her concern warmed Leah's heart. "I'll be careful, I promise. Thank you."
After hanging up, she was about to continue drawing up several plans when she heard someone coming into the room.
"Aren't you coming home?"
Han's sudden appearance in her own office gave Leah a fright. "Didn't the front desk stop you?" She had given clear instructions that Han was not allowed to come in as and when he pleased.
Han gave a derisive snort. "Who's going to stop me? Anyway, this building belongs to me."
Leah's forehead creased. "You gave it to me, so it's mine. I'll pay you back for the rent or hand the building back to you someday, I promise!"
Han lifted his brows. "Well, yes, the building is yours, but you're mine." To him, there was no difference.
He was not aware of it, but his voice had taken on a slight teasing note, and Leah's cheeks turned faintly pink. Now that this man's secret identity had been exposed, he was not even bothering to pretend anymore. It was as if he had become an entirely different person.
In the blink of an eye, however, he seemed to revert to what he had been in the past when he had been pursuing Leah.
"Why don't you go home first? I've still got some work to finish up here." Leah deliberately turned her gaze away. A trace of embarrassment flickered in her eyes, gone in a flash.
However, Han took hold of her wrist, stony-faced, and drew her to the door with him. "You need to balance work and rest, you know."
Leah put up only a token resistance, then abandoned the struggle altogether. Once they were out of the room, however, she was not prepared for the sudden temperature drop after the warmth of her office. She immediately cowered behind Han, shivering.
Han saw her ducking behind him out of the corner of his eye, reached out, and enfolded her in his arms. "If you're cold, you should stop being shy and make the first move."