Chapter 87
Evelyn lowered her lashes, fingertips absently tracing the edge of the design draft as she curled into the corner like a startled rabbit.
Alexander watched his sister's timid demeanor, his chest tightening with protectiveness.
"If Isabella wants to participate, give her KL's competition slot," he said gently.
Isabella immediately fluttered into her brother's arms like an excited sparrow. "You're the best!" She buried her face against Alexander's shoulder, shooting Evelyn a triumphant glance.
Evelyn turned away, gaze fixed on the plane trees outside the window.
It wasn't that she didn't want to join the design competition. But the crisis at CH's P-country project demanded her attention. The daily financial losses kept her awake at night.
She'd stayed up completing her competition entry, revising it three times before satisfaction. The final draft now rested in Dylan's hands.
"Boss! This design is insane!" Dylan practically danced across the video call. "If we produce this, every luxury brand will grovel at your feet!"
"Speaking of which, since I've worked so hard—"
[Puppy-dog eyes emoji]
"Silence." Evelyn typed the word with icy precision.
Dylan instantly replied with a prostrate GIF.
Her fingers tapped the screen, sending a digital red envelope.
"Your Majesty is most gracious!"
"Your Majesty is most—"
"One more word and I deduct your salary."
"Submit this under the Celadon name for the International Jewelry Design Awards preliminaries."
The Celadon pseudonym carried legendary weight in design circles—each appearance caused seismic shifts.
"Consider it done!" Dylan thumped his chest before adding cheekily, "You're basically nuking a goldfish bowl. What chance do other contestants have?"
Evelyn recalled Isabella's eager expression, amusement flickering in her eyes.
Celadon's signature style stood unparalleled, with countless imitators becoming industry jokes. When her submission appeared during the public voting phase, the website froze for three full seconds.
The landslide victory came as no surprise.
Isabella also advanced to the semifinals, currently strutting into the office with a coffee cup held aloft.
"Sister, try my hand-brewed coffee." She slammed the cup onto Evelyn's desk, brown liquid sloshing over the rim.
Evelyn didn't even glance up.
Undeterred, Isabella raised her voice. "I'm feeling very confident about this competition!"
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating Evelyn Roland's office as she meticulously adjusted her jewelry design sketches.
"I heard even Celadon has entered this year's International Jewelry Design Awards," a colleague remarked, sipping coffee. "Evelyn, aren't you considering joining?"
Her fingers paused mid-stroke. A faint smile touched her lips.
"Celadon..." She gently closed her laptop. "How fortunate for her."
Isabella Langley approached in stiletto heels, her dress swaying with each step. "Sister, you're not avoiding the competition because you're afraid of losing to me, are you?" She waved her phone. "I just received my semifinal notification."
The office erupted in sycophantic praise.
"Miss Langley is incredible!"