<b>Chapter </b><b>431 </b>
Caitlin didn’t back down. “Fine, I ept your challenge. Just don’t beg me for mercy when you lose.”
“Hmph! As it!”
Zora’s confidence stemmed from having already studied Ka’s entire portfolio. She was importantly, she knew Caitlin hadn’t released anything new in quite a while.
familiar with Caitlin’s design style–and more
With Caitlin so distracted by her mother’s case, Zora believed it would be an easy
“Let’s wait and see
Caitlin slipped on her sunsses and walked out of the building.
Zora watched her back until she disappeared, then turned and stepped into the elevator.
<b>Back </b>in the CEO office, she found her mother sitting motionless at her desk.
“Mom, are you okay? That woman came to see you again what did she say? Why are you crying?”
Zora spotted the tears on Ximena’s face and grew suspicious.
“It’s nothing”
Ximena wiped her face. “She didn’t say much.”
“I bet this is about Teresa. <b>She </b>thinks you had something to do with her death, right?”
Zora had overheard Caitlin confronting her mother at Cloudtop Resort.
She lowered her voice. “Mom did you really do it?”
“Drop it, Zora. Go take care of your work. I need to step out for a bit.”
Ximena didn’t want to exin further. She grabbed her purse and left. No matter what, she needed to check on someone at the hospital.
<b>Xavi </b>returned to the car holding <b>a </b>cold drink,
Zinnia blinked at the cup he handed her. <b>“</b><b>What’s </b>this?”
“It’s for you. Plum juice. Iced.”
Zinnia looked surprised. So that’s where the kid had gone–to get her a drink?
“And here, take this too.”
He tossed her a keychain–cute, bunny–shaped, and obviously from the same shop.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“Came with the drink. Girls usually like this kind of stuff, right?”
Xavi scratched his <b>head </b>with an awkward smile.
Zinnia didn’t care for knickknacks like this, but she couldn’t bring herself to reject the gesture. She looked at him for a long moment, noticing the sweat dripping down his face.
Something inside her stined. It had been so long since a man showed her any kind of kindness. Why did her chest feet warm?
A few minutester, Caitlin returned.
“Drive<b>,</b>” she said as she got into the car.
Xavi started the engine.
Zinnia turned around. “You done talking with Ximena?”
“Yeah. We’re done.”
“It’s hot, and Xavi bought iced plum <b>juice</b><b>. </b><b>I </b>saved it for you.”
Caitlin smiled. “You should drink it. Don’t waste the kind thought–he bought it for you, after all.”
Then she teased, “Nice move, Xavi. You’re pretty good at this. But hey, where’s mine?”
“Ah–sorry! I forgot. Want me to go get one now?”
Xavi flushed with embarrassment.
“No need. I’m njoking. Let’s head to TIG.”
At TIG, Caitlin joined the executive meeting hosted by CEO Garrett.
Department heads gave their reports<b>, </b><b>and </b>Garrett presented a newly prepared financial summary.
Since 4EVER Capital took over, TIG had gone from loss to profit. The numbers were climbing steadily.
Besides the operational updates, Garrett raised a key decision. “Caitlin, we’re finalizing the seasonal collection. The design team has narrowed it down to two candidates. I’d like your final word.”
Caitlin reviewed the concepts.
One was from veteran designer Justin–polished, upscale, and very much in line with TIG’s signature style.
The other was from neer Wade–fresh, bold, and unconventional, butcking finesse in some key areas,
Caitlin made her decision. “We’ll go with Justin’s design. Push production immediately–we need to be ready by Tuesday’s productunch
“Agreed,” Garrett said. “Justin’s concept fits the theme best.”
The decision was made, and Garrett ryed instructions to get the samples finished on time.
But Caitlin had one more request.
“Bring Wade in. <b>I </b>have a few notes for him,”
Of course.
Garrett called down to design.
News <b>had </b>already spread: Justin’s designs won. As congrattions poured in, many took the opportunity to belittle Wade.
Wade, being part of the younger design crowd, didn’t say much. He knew his work <b>had </b>ws and epted the decision withoutint
Still, he didn’t expect Caillin herself would ask to see him.
He
e walked into the meeting room, nervous and full of awe. Seeing Caitlin in person–she was even more stunning than in the media. Elegant, poised–utterly breathtaking.
“Caitlin…”
“Come in.”
He lowered!
d his gaze a
and stepped forward.
“You asked for me?”
“I reviewed your work, Wade. It’s full of potential–very original.”
That praise stunned him. From someone like her? He couldn’t believe it.
“But,” she continued<b>, </b><b>“</b>your design has a critical w. You need to shift your perspective slightly. For <b>instance</b>, this sketch–here are three changes 1 made.”
She handed him the revised draft
Wade looked it over–and was blown away. “This is… brilliant”
She’d solved the exact problem he’d been stuck on. Her edits opened the whole concept up.
“A true collection expresses one idea, even if each piece looks different. You need visual variety but conceptual unity. And always include a hook–something unforgettable.”
Caitlin’s feedback was insightful. Wade nodded, eyes lighting up. I get it now! Thank you so much! Look–if I tweak it like this, does that work?”
He was sharp. He’d already m
adjustments, and now the piece looked polished and cohesive.
As the two of them discussed design, Sebastian arrived at the door holding a bouquet of roses.
He was about to surprise Caitlin<b>–</b>until he saw her deep in conversation with a young, very attractive designer.
A fresh–faced, handsome kid,
Sebastian froze.
She’s still mad? And now she’s moved on to a boy toy?
Alright then–who’s hotter, me or the pretty boy?
<b>Chapter </b><b>432 </b>