Chapter 74
“Here, this can be used to put our FineArt Studio at the top,” Madam Collins said excitedly as she placed a thick file in front of Spencer. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction and her voice was full of anticipation, unlike her usual self.
Spencer looked up from his own paperwork and regarded his mother with a frown. “What is this, Mother?”
“This,” she said slowly, tapping the file with a manicured finger, “is the strategic plan Melanie painstakingly put together to revive LuxeArt. But now, I have it in my hands. Right now, LuxeArt is struggling—they’re barely keeping their head above water, still scrambling to secure the necessary funds. Melanie intends to present this plan to banks and investors for loans. But imagine, my dear, if we were to implement it first. Wouldn’t that be brilliant?”
Spencer took the file and flipped through the pages, his frown deepening as he absorbed the contents. The more he read, the more his irritation grew, making him feel uncomfortable as he looked at his mother with a scowl. “How exactly did you get this, Mother?”
Madam Collins waved a dismissive hand, entirely unbothered by his tone. Instead, she beamed happily, already imagining the humiliation she would deal Melanie, thus getting her own revenge. To her son, she answered, “I have my ways, Spencer. I have a few trusted eyes and ears inside Melanie’s circle—people who know how to get me what I need. She may think she’s clever, but I outmaneuvered her at every step! I even planted the perfect bait.”
She let out a delighted chuckle, leaning back in her chair. “I had one of my people spread the rumor that I was opening a new high-end gallery and was offering positions with better salaries and irresistible benefits. Naturally, some of her employees took the bait. The moment they did, they brought valuable information along with them—this plan included.”
Spencer arched a brow, at that, “And you’re going to use these people? The ones who betrayed Melanie so easily? Today they’ve sold her out, tomorrow they will sell you out for benefits.”
His mother laughed again and shook her head.. “Oh, of course, I am not going to hire them! Your mother is not foolish. I have no intention of keeping them around. I selected them very carefully—each one of them is incompetent in their own way. They are nothing more than disposable tools to get what I needed. However, the ones who truly matter, the skilled artists, designers, and craftsmen?” She leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “Those, Spencer, I have already taken care of.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Do you not remember how I managed LuxeArt in her name? From the moment she went to work at ABC Industries, I was the one pulling the strings, handling operations, making decisions at LuxeArt. And over the past two years, every single time I let someone go—whether it was staff, suppliers, or top-tier artists—I ensured they believed Melanie was responsible. To them, she was the cold and ruthless one, while I remained their trusted ally.”
Spencer exhaled sharply, recognizing his mother’s cunning for what it was—both impressive and ruthless. “So, you think they’ll come back to you now, just like that?”
“Not think, dear boy. I know they will. Melanie has been desperately trying to win them back this past week. She even personally reached out to the bigger artists, but they have all refused her. And why wouldn’t they? As far as they know, she was the one who cast them aside in the first place. But me? I was the gracious, understanding figure who sympathized with their plight. And now, when I offer them a place at FineArt with open arms, they will gladly walk back through my doors.”
She smirked, gesturing towards the file. “Now, imagine if we were to combine this plan—her plan—with the talent I have been keeping within reach all this time. FineArt wouldn’t just climb to the top, Spencer. We would dominate the scene, leaving LuxeArt in the dust.”
Spencer looked down at the plan in his hands, his fingers tightening slightly around the edges. The weight of the document was nothing compared to the weight of the thoughts running through his mind. As he scanned the pages, he couldn’t help but be reminded of just how brilliant a strategist Melanie was.
He had already witnessed her prowess firsthand when he stepped in as the interim CEO. The momentum she had given ABC—it was something their competitors could only dream of. Even if he chose to do nothing, the company would continue on the trajectory she had set, and keep making profits. It was out of sheer desperation that he was still following the path that she had approved earlier.
Spencer exhaled sharply, a flicker of guilt creeping into his chest. He had let himself be swayed by Mr. Grif’s suggestion… no, he’d just been swayed by multiple things and abandoned Melanie…
Shaking his head, he snapped the file shut, his jaw tightened as his gaze lifted to meet his mother’s. If only Madam Collins had poured this much effort into establishing FineArt instead of focusing all her energy on dismantling LuxeArt, things would be vastly different.
Instead of thriving through innovation, they were resorting to underhanded tactics to take down a company that was already struggling.
He took a deep breath, his decision firm in his mind. “No, Mother. We will not be using this plan.”
The room fell into a heavy silence.
Madam Collins stiffened at his words, her expression twisting into one of disbelief before sharp anger took over. “And why not?” she demanded, her voice cold with barely concealed fury. “Do you have any idea how much money I’ve spent acquiring that report? How many resources I’ve used? And now you’re telling me we’re just going to throw it all away?”
She took a step closer and glared at him. “What is it, Spencer? Have you suddenly developed a soft spot for her?” Her tone dripped with accusation. “Have you forgotten that she chose Adam over you? And now you’re having regrets? Is that why you’ve been ignoring Hallie as well?”
Her voice sharpened as she continued, “But let me tell you something—you need to stop this foolishness. Melanie won’t come back to you, no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise. So give up, Spencer. Move on.”