Chapter 31: Evening Party
Julian’s expression gave Vivian a sense of triumph.
He was actually a really nice guy. Just looking at how he had helped her catch those stray cats proved it. Even when he was bitten and scratched by them, he didn’t react at all. He was so afraid that if he moved too much, he might hurt the little kittens!
It was clear that Julian was actually very gentle on the inside. It was just that he didn’t express himself. He kept his true feelings hidden so deeply that no one else could reach them. And now, Vivian had discovered this secret!
She didn’t exactly want to tease him; she just thought it was quite amusing to do so!
After breakfast.
Grandma Faulkner urged Julian to drop Vivian off at work. Since Rachel was also heading out to go shopping, the three of them left together.
Along the way, Rachel, who was sitting in the back, kept trying on jewelry. One moment she was asking Vivian if a pair of earrings looked good, and the next she was asking about her ring.
Vivian was very patient, answering each question and offering her professional advice as a designer. Rachel was delighted to hear it.
"Vivian, you’re amazing! If you have time, could you design a set of jewelry for me? I’ll find someone to make it for me later," Rachel asked, immediately trying to enlist Vivian’s help.
Vivian’s smile faded slightly as she replied politely, "Rachel, my schedule has been pretty packed lately, so I might not have that much time.
"If you want, you can contact my assistant on my Official Account to make an appointment. She will explain the schedule and deposit details to you in depth.
"Since we’re family, I can give you a twenty percent discount. After all, a designer’s reputation is very important. If I do too much free work, people won’t respect the prices I set anymore, don’t you agree?"
Vivian spoke methodically, her reasoning crystal clear.
Halfway through, Rachel’s expression soured. Still, she took the business card Vivian handed her. But after glancing at it, she froze.
"Ten million for a single design?" Rachel’s jaw practically hit the floor in shock.
She wondered, "Are you kidding me!?" She had thought drawing designs was just something done casually. The jewelry from those famous brands all looked more or less the same anyway!
Vivian remained entirely composed and said, "Yes. Take those ruby earrings you showed me today, for example. I’m currently designing a ’Swan’ themed jewelry series for them.
"Coincidentally, the pre-tax price for the design drafts of that set is ten million, and that doesn’t even include various miscellaneous fees. Rachel, if you want me to design something for you, I’ll waive all those extra fees."
This was already a very generous offer. After all, from the initial design to several rounds of negotiations with the client, making revisions to the drafts, and communicating ideas back and forth, a single set of jewelry could take several months to complete. Aside from top-tier designers like Vivian, whose initial drafts were usually so satisfactory they barely needed changes, revising designs repeatedly was a massive hassle for anyone else. Naturally, the miscellaneous fees would also add up to a significant amount.
"..."
Rachel fell silent. She clutched the business card Vivian had given her, her brows furrowed, lost in thought.
Seeing that Rachel had stopped talking, Vivian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Noticing that they were nearing the Faulkner Group building, she turned to Julian. "Julian.
"I have an evening gala to attend tonight. I don’t know what time it will end, but if it gets too late, I’ll just find a nearby hotel to stay at.
"I probably won’t be coming home. I’ve already texted Grandma on WhatsApp telling her not to wait for me for dinner."
Upon hearing this, Julian’s expression turned slightly serious. "Where is this gala?"
Vivian hadn’t expected Julian to ask for details. Although a bit surprised, she replied, "I’ll send you the location later!"
"Alright." Julian agreed. He then turned a corner and pulled up just outside a pedestrian street to drop Rachel off, before the two of them continued on their way to the Faulkner Group.
Vivian’s studio occupied a whole floor in the Faulkner Group building. Faulkner Group took up the twentieth floor and above, while she was conveniently located on the nineteenth. The nineteenth floor wasn’t extraordinarily high, but standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could still overlook the nearby commercial streets. The natural light during the day was excellent, and the view was quite nice.
The studio was already fully furnished and decorated. It had previously been leased out by Faulkner Group to someone else, but once the contract expired, Vance Wyatt immediately finalized the details and rented it to Vivian.
A personal assistant and two design assistants whom Vivian had hired had already arrived for work. They were all recent Master’s graduates from Aethelburg University, with only a little bit of internship experience.
"The company was just founded, so we are a bit short-staffed right now. However, I have already taken on two design commissions. For the next period of time, we will mainly be..."
Vivian quickly briefed the three of them on her recent work arrangements, then added, "Once the projects are completed, there will be commission bonuses.
"Rest assured, the company will only get better and better."
After speaking, out of a sense of "formality," Vivian found a wall and hung up some of the awards she had won.
This time, in establishing her own company, she didn’t use her "Nox" identity from the International Designers Association, but rather presented herself as a designer from the Lowell Group.
The Lowell Group was quite famous in Aethelburg, giving her considerable drawing power. Besides, they were all alumni. Even though the company was still small, these recent graduates didn’t have overly high demands. Moreover, Vivian offered a competitive salary. The trio quickly got into the zone and started working.
In the blink of an eye, it was five o’clock.
The gala was set to begin at seven. Seeing that she still had two hours, Vivian changed her clothes and did her makeup in the office, preparing to head over to the hotel where the event was being held.
She had already arranged everything over there. As soon as that "childhood sweetheart" appeared, she would be able to spot her immediately. However, considering the importance of today’s situation, it was better for her to arrive early and keep an eye on things.
With that in mind, Vivian set off at five-thirty. By the time she arrived at the hotel, the first-floor banquet hall had just been set up, and no guests had arrived yet.
DING-DONG.
Right at that moment, her phone rang. Vivian looked at it and saw a message from Eleanor Rhodes.
"Vivian. I have nothing to do tonight. I’m so bored. Where is your gala? I want to go too~"
Hmm? Seeing the text, Vivian paused. Did Tanya really have nothing to do tonight? Didn’t she say yesterday that she was going to do a follow-up visit at an adopter’s home?
She wondered, "Could she have been stood up?"
Recalling that similar things had happened before, Vivian didn’t think too much of it. After all, Eleanor Rhodes’s family was actually quite wealthy. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have funded a pet hospital for her and continuously sponsored her animal rescue efforts. Animal rescue, after all, offered no financial return.