Marianne chuckled with a sly grin, "A younger lover has its perks, obedient and at your beck and call. Something those high-society heirs just can't match." As they were chatting, a dashing figure made his entrance into the grand ballroom. It was none other than Elvis, with a beautiful woman at his side.
His gaze instantly found Aurelia, seated in a quiet corner. No matter the occasion, she always chose the most unassuming spot, yet her natural beauty was undeniable. Amongst the crowd, she shone the brightest.
As he approached, Aurelia offered a warm smile. "Mr. Cooper graces us with his presence." Leopold beside her scowled for another suitor here pestering his wife.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtElvis took the seat opposite her, his eyes briefly meeting the bodyguard. "And you are...?" "My bodyguard," Aurelia said nonchalantly.
"Oh." Elvis forced a laugh, taken aback. He had thought he was her new beau.
"Allowto introduce my new head designer, Viola." Aurelia greeted her with a polite nod. "Congratulations, Mr. Cooper. It seems you've found a designer after your own heart." Elvis smiled thinly. "I hope she meets my expectations." Viola was confident in her designs. Though Aurelia's creations were currently all the rage, she believed her unique flair would bring a breath of fresh air.
"Don't worry, Mr. Cooper. My designs will rival Director Aurelia's. As to who comes out on top, that remains to be seen." Her words carried an edge of arrogance.
Aurelia understood the challenge all too well.
Elvis was ambitious and driven. His greatest desire was to have Ethereal Gems unveil a design that would rock the jewelry world and dominate the global scene.
"The most important thing for a designer is to have their features, not to win or lose." Aurelia had always been indifferent to fand fortune, believing that only with a clear mind could one create truly exceptional designs.
But Viola saw things differently. To her, this was an opportunity to shine after being underappreciated for so long. By outdoing Aurelia, she could rule the jewelry world.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Competition breeds excellence. My ancestors were jewelers with age-old techniques such as chasing, filigree, and repoussé..." Viola was clearly throwing down the gauntlet, yet Aurelia maintained her gracious demeanor, unfazed.
"Well then, | look forward to seeing Director Viola's designs." Beverley and Marianne returned from the dance floor, or rather, rushed back to join the buzz upon seeing Elvis.
"Mr. Cooper, is this a new girlfriend?" "Don’t misunderstand. She's my new designer," Elvis clarified. To date, no woman had replaced Aurelia as the ideal companion he sought, that was, a partner who could handle both hand business.
Marianne snickered, "Has my cousin stopped clinging to you recently?" Elvis felt a bead of sweat form at the thought of Melissa Stirling, a headache personified.
Aurelia likely distanced herself because of Melissa's antics.
In truth, Elvis was the most eligible bachelor among them. Both Arnold and Leopold were married, hardly competition for him. But because of Melissa's constant interference, Aurelia had kept him at arm's length.
"Just lighten up and enjoy the party. No need for a downer." Beverley pulled a face. Melissa seemed hell-bent on Elvis. It was pitiable, really.
"I've noticed the Stirling family is all or nothing, either complete philanderers or utterly devoted. Arnold and Melissa certainly fall into the latter."