Babel Novel
Chapter 18
It had only been a month since Stephanie joined Fantasy Boutique as a C-class designer.
Back then, everyone thought she entered the company due to Florence’s favor as she graduated from majoring in mechanical engineering at Scorger University in Astoria, which had nothing to do with fashion design.
With regret in her eyes, Florence asked, “Stephie, are you really going to leave?”
Raising her eyebrows, Stephanie asked, “Why wouldn’t I? Should I keep giving my designs away for someone else’s glory?”
Pursing her lips, Florence understood the statement and figured out that Stephanie had no intention of making sketches for her anymore.
Some employees couldn’t help laughing. Alicia Jekins, the design director, said sneeringly, “Ms. Stephanie Hayes, you’ve only been here for a month, but it seems you haven’t even completed a decent sketch, have you? How arrogant of you to say such things.”
Glancing at Florence, Stephanie asked, “Florence, tell them. Am I being arrogant?”
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Florence pierced her red painted nails into her palm and thought, ‘No way I’ll admit that Stephanie is talented. Forcing a smile, she replied, “Stephie, although you majored in mechanical engineering, your dedication is admirable. It’s indeed a tough journey to be in a field you’re not familiar with. I’ve always noticed your hard work.”
Douglas snorted and said, “Flore, you’re so kind to speak up for her.”
‘Speak up for me?’ Stephanie thought it was hilarious. Florence’s words sounded like she was speaking up for Stephanie, but in fact, she was belittling
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“All right, enough for the toadying and bullying. It’s meaningless,” said Stephanie, taking out her resignation letter and throwing it on the table before Douglas, “Sign it now. I’ll leave right away.”
Douglas quickly signed with a darkened face and looked at the HR Director, asking, “What are you waiting for? Go through the formalities and terminate
her contract”
With teary eyes, Florence said, “Stephie, Fantasy Boutique has a promising future. Don’t be irresponsible to yourself because of some unpleasant
matters.
Douglas said sneeringly, “Flore cares about you. If you leave Fantasy Boutique, you’ll never be able to find another design studio to take you in!”
Just then, a clear female voice interrupted, “Who said so?”
Everyone looked at a woman walking into the meeting room, followed by her assistant with black-frame glasses. She was dressed in a white suit and three-inch white high-heels, appearing aloof with a hime haircut.
Everyone knew she was Julianna, a big shot in the design industry, the founder of Style Jazz Couture, and also one of the owners of Starlight Design Studio.
Standing beside Stephanie, Julianna reached out and stated, “On behalf of Starlight Design Studio, I’ll hire Ms. Stephanie Hayes to be our designer. I hope she can lead Style Jazz Couture to a higher achievement.”
Everyone was shocked at the announcement as Style Jazz Couture was one of the top luxury brands in the world, whereas Fantasy Boutique was only a famous domestic brand only. The mention of Stephanie becoming an S-class designer left everyone speechless,
In the design industry, designers were divided into four classes, which were C, B, A, and S.
S-class was the highest-class designer’s symbol. Only the top three designers who had-won the international competition were qualified to be S-class
designers.
Sat, 25 May
Douglas said laughingly, “Stephanie, Uncle Vincent invited her here to support you, didn’t he?”
With a cold glance at Douglas, Julianna said, “Some people sure are blind, treating an untalented employee as a treasure but ignoring the real talent. hired Ms. Stephanie Hayes obviously because she’s qualified. Unlike someone who likes to label others’ works as theirs.”
Florence pursed her lips, thinking that Julianna was alluding to her and believing that Stephanie must have said bad things about her to Julianna.
After receiving a look from Julianna, the assistant immediately took out a contract and read out the terms of hiring, When Stephanie’s annual salary of 40 million dollars with a 10 percent annual sales commission was announced, everyone was astonished.
Alicia muttered, “It’s almost as much as Ms. Star’s annual salary, isn’t it?”
“Stephanie’s worth it,” said Julianna with a smile.
Alicia rolled her eyes and kept quiet.
Stephanie thought Julianna was here to support her, so she naturally showed respect and signed the contract.
Releasing a sneer, Douglas said, “Ms. Saunders, no matter how rich Starlight Design Studio is, you should spend the money properly. I feel sorry for you. to waste it in vain.”
Julianna glanced at Florence and replied, “Mr. Fletcher, you’d better worry about your company instead. I’m afraid you won’t be having high-quality sketches anymore after today!” She then looked at Stephanie and asked, “Ms. Stephanie Hayes, is there anything else you need to clean up from your office?”
“I still have some discarded sketches,” replied Stephanie.
Julianna said smilingly, “Take them with you. Even though they’re discarded ones, those mediocre people couldn’t replicate them even after studying for centuries.”
With everyone turning speechless, Stephanie and Julianna left with the assistant and Willow following behind.
Florence immediately stood up and ran out. Stephanie had played her cards too well lately, putting Florence on the defensive. And now this resignation- the sketches Stephanie prepared for the summer collection hadn’t yet been examined by Florence, and Stephanie was going to take them all. Florence wouldn’t let that happen.
Seeing Florence’s reaction, Douglas followed along, with everyone also rushing out with curiosity.
The moment Stephanie opened her office door, Florence blocked her way, spreading her arms and stating, “You’ve resigned, so all the drafts you drew before belong to the company! You can’t take them away!”
“Move aside,” said Stephanie coldly.
With her height shorter than Stephanie, Florence looked up and said, “Stephie, it’s just some discarded sketches. Why do you care so much about them?”
With a mocking smile, Stephanie answered, “Yeah, why do you care too? Can’t you even draw some yourself?”
Noticing Douglas, Florence said seriously, “Stephie, even if it’s some discarded sketches, you drew them after learning designs in Fantasy Boutique. It’s related to the company’s confidential information, so you can’t take them away!”
After Stephanie gave Willow a look, the latter immediately grabbed Florence by the neck, flinging her into Douglas’ arms.
Florence complained tearfully, “Douglas, I’m considering for our company. You should know that it’ll cause us incalculable losses if our design concept is
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stolen by other design studios.”
Douglas uttered lowly, “Stephanie, you can’t take any sketches away from this office, or else, don’t over think of leaving”
With cold eyes, Willow shouted, “I’d like to see who would dare lay a finger on us!”
Stephanie patted her on the shoulder and said, “Don’t be mad. It’s fine.” She looked at Dou g l a s s and stated, “Rest assured. I won’t take away any
sketches”
Entering her office, Stephanie opened a cabinet and pulled out a stack of drafts. She fished a lighter from her bag and set them ablaze in front of everyone. Draft by draft turned to ash.
Surprised, Florence muttered, “Y-You burnt them?”
With a faint smile, Stephanie tapped her head and replied, “My drafts are all up here, and nobody can take that.”