Chapter 109

 109:
Anthea’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Your company’s founder is shrouded in mystery, possessing considerable wealth. It seems everyone is keen to unravel his secrets and, if possible, forge some connection with him. Don’t you have even a hint of curiosity?”
“I admit, the mystery surrounding our boss is intriguing. However, I truly have no hidden agendas. My only aim today is to understand your design preferences better,” Linsey responded with sincerity.
Anthea nodded, her smile carrying a hint of amusement. “We’ll see about that,” she said, her tone implying a challenge.
Linsey held Anthea’s gaze, aware of the underlying test in her words. She wondered if Anthea was still probing her real purpose for the visit. Hastily, Linsey added, “I hope it doesn’t come across as trivial, but my husband and I are newlyweds, and deeply in love. We have a strong bond, and I assure you, there are no hidden motives on my part.”
Anthea’s amusement grew with the unfolding situation.
She hadn’t anticipated such developments—Collin had just departed, and now his wife appeared on her doorstep.
And to her astonishment, Collin’s wife was a designer from CR Corporation.
Anthea couldn’t help but muse on what Linsey’s reaction might be if she ever discovered that her husband was the enigmatic founder of CR Corporation.
Although she had taken a liking to Linsey, Anthea wasn’t one to rely on first impressions. She needed to see for herself if Linsey truly lived up to Collin’s praise.
Easing the conversation back to business, Anthea offered a knowing smile. “Don’t worry. If I had any doubts about you, I wouldn’t have let you through the door.”
She let a beat of silence linger, taking an unhurried sip of her coffee before speaking again, her voice carrying quiet authority. “But let me be clear—my expectations for designers are uncompromising. I’m willing to give you a chance, but if you fall short, I won’t hesitate to walk away.”
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Linsey met her gaze without wavering, a flicker of certainty in her eyes. “Mrs. Blakely, I have absolute confidence in my work. Trust me—I’ll deliver results that won’t just meet your expectations but surpass them.”
Anthea let out a light chuckle. “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard promises like that. If you want me to take this seriously, you’ll need to show me something real.”
Linsey barely hesitated before flashing a confident smile. “That’s simple enough.”
She reached into her bag, pulled out a thick folder, and handed it over. “Mrs. Blakely, these are designs I’ve worked on in my free time. Some are unfinished drafts, but they should give you a clear idea of my skill and range.”
A glimmer of interest crossed Anthea’s face as she took the folder, flipping through the pages with careful scrutiny.
Noticing Anthea’s focused expression, Linsey spoke with quiet conviction. “To be completely honest, Mrs. Blakely, I’ve never taken on a client project before. You would be my first, and I don’t take this opportunity lightly. I truly hope you’ll give me this chance—I promise to deliver a design that surpasses your expectations.”
As Anthea flipped through the pages, admiration slowly flickered across her face, her initial skepticism fading.
Truth be told, she had only considered giving Linsey a chance out of respect for Collin. But now, as she studied the depth of creativity in each design, she felt something shift. Linsey wasn’t just promising talent—she was proving it.
The designs in the folder were arranged in chronological order, tracing Linsey’s evolution as an artist. The earlier pages were unpolished—skilled but still tethered to the influence of other designers. Yet as the pages turned, so did her confidence. Her strokes grew bolder, her lines more intentional, and her designs shed imitation, becoming undeniably her own.
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