Chapter 905 Exploiting A Designer's Work Is Prohibited!
Chapter 905 Exploiting A Designer's Work Is Prohibited!
Despite the design department facing staff shortages, the prospect of treating everyone to a meal had unexpectedly brightened the atmosphere.
"You're lucky," quipped the male designer, who was fond of teasing.
This time around, Irene wasn't toiling away solo on her clothing designs as the male designer had generously lent her his expertise.
Irene responded with a gentle smile and chose to remain silent.
Abigail, on the other hand, began to sense something amiss between them but didn't make any overt gestures.
After summoning Irene and Yeezy into the office, Abigail directed her inquiry to Yeezy first. "Have you received any inquiries from anyone wanting to purchase the clothes?" Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
A smile adorned Yeezy's face as she replied, "I was just about to tell you that someone offered me 9 million to purchase the entire collection."
"From the entertainment industry?" Abigail still favored the idea of selling to up-and-coming stars or those renowned for their acting skills, which would bolster the designer's reputation within the industry and potentially lead to higher sales prices.
"I don't recognize the buyer personally, but here's the number." Yeezy retrieved her phone and passed it over.
Upon accepting the phone, Abigail glanced at the displayed number before copying it and forwarding it to Xavien.
"I'll have someone look into it for you, so hold off on selling for now," Abigail remarked and shot a glance at Irene. "What about yours?"
"There's a museum that's keen on me donating this garment to them. They want to exhibit it to promote culture," Irene revealed. She was secretly quite inclined toward the idea of having it showcased in a museum.
Abigail looked at her and was momentarily unsure of how to respond.
Luna cleared her throat. "Which museum is it?"
Despite Irene's inner inclinations, she ought to recognize the importance of not undervaluing her work. Disrespecting her efforts would be tantamount to disrespecting herself, she mused.
"It's reportedly the Endosky Museum," Irene replied, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. The call from the party had caught her off guard, and in her immediate thoughts, Abigail was the first person who came to mind.
After all, Irene worked for L.Moon, and this piece of clothing had gained significant attention. How to handle it exactly? Well, that was up to Abigail.
"Do you happen to have a breakdown of the costs involved in creating this garment?" Luna asked calmly while reclining back in her wheelchair.
Her inquiry prompted a moment of reflection for Irene as the latter hadn't considered the financial aspect of her creation.
All the materials for the garment were provided by L.Moon, totaling roughly around 150 thousand. The gold thread was particularly expensive, and the fabric used was also of high quality.
Luna's subsequent words carried a weight of wisdom, her calm demeanor belying the seriousness of her message. "Are you aware that if someone, a company, or even a collective values your labor, they'll compensate you accordingly? It's essential to understand that even for cultural promotion, financial backing is crucial. When it comes to promoting cultural tourism or hiring models, they all understand the need for payment. If Endosky Museum isn't willing to compensate you, they're simply exploiting your talent," she concluded, her voice tinged with a silent sigh.
It was probably because they thought Irene was naive, so that was why they did this to her.
"Give me the phone," Abigail instructed.
Without hesitation, she dialed the other person's number.
However, disappointment struck as the other party promptly disconnected the call, not just once, but twice in a row. Hence, thwarting Abigail's attempts to communicate with them.
Luna's lips curled into a sardonic smirk, her chin tilting upwards as she said to Irene, "Why don't you give it a shot?"
Irene hesitated momentarily before reaching for the phone. Her fingers tapped against the screen as she attempted to reach out once more. Yet, the ringing tone echoed fruitlessly, and she was met with silence on the other end.
This was clear that the other party knew Abigail's phone number.
Luna's expression soured, a mixture of disdain and disappointment evident as she gestured widely, "Their insincerity speaks volumes."
A perplexed Irene scratched her head in bewilderment. "I never expected such behavior from them."
Luna offered a knowing nod, her voice tinged with empathy as she elaborated, "It's not entirely unexpected. You're still relatively new to L.Moon, and your time has been consumed by the production crew. You haven't had the opportunity to develop your designs yet. They see you as new, so they hope to exploit your naivety."
Reflecting on past encounters, Luna recounted instances where she had encountered similar opportunists. She vividly recalled showcasing Abigail's designs at modest fashion exhibitions, only to encounter companies masquerading as cultural ambassadors with the hidden intention of seeking to benefit from others' talents without offering anything in return.
"Would you mind handling this garment for me? I'm not really well-versed in these matters." Irene hesitated to get involved in clothing matters. Most importantly, everything about the clothes was made by L.Moon.
As the duo made their way back to the office, Abigail's phone suddenly chimed with an incoming call.
Spotting the caller ID displaying the CEO of Leap Gaming Technology's name, Kirby Antoine, Abigail's lips curved into a knowing smile as she tapped the answer button and pushed Luna out of the design department.
"It's been quite some time since we last caught up. How have you been?" Her voice exuded warmth as she engaged in conversation.
Naturally, Leap Gaming Technology was interested in obtaining the licensing rights for Phoenix outfits. Abigail, well aware of the purpose behind his call, prepared herself for the negotiation ahead.
"Phoenix outfits come with a hefty price tag, so we can't adhere to the previous profit-sharing arrangement," she articulated.
"Would a 15% commission suffice? Considering it's the brainchild of our in-house designer, L.Moon, there's also a need to allocate a share to the original creator. Can you appreciate the complexity of the situation?" she continued.
The two of them stepped out of the elevator, and Luna wheeled herself into the office.
After hammering out the terms of the collaboration, Abigail requested Leap Gaming Technology's patience for another week so that the details could be finalized before she made the official announcement.
"Any other ideas?" Luna inquired.
"Indeed. Take care of matters at the company, and I'll reach out to someone," Abigail responded, reaching for her phone to dial Cindy's number.
Upon Cindy's prompt answer, Abigail wasted no time in asking, "Are you available? I'd like to meet face-to-face. There's a matter I could really use your assistance with."
Cindy's voice exuded eagerness as she replied, "What is it? I'm all ears and ready to help in any way I can!"
With a polite demeanor, Abigail requested, "Could you arrange for Madam Wright to have a meal with me? I have a collaboration proposal to discuss with her."
Cindy's response was swift and enthusiastic, "Absolutely, not a problem at all! Madam Wright and I are quite close. Would lunch today work for you?"
"Sounds perfect." Abigail agreed without hesitation.
Doris Wright was a well-known filmmaker who was best known for her documentary series on mythology. Her social media account following surpassed 600 thousand.