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Novel Catalog
Chapter 15
Noel felt a wave of awkwardness wash over her. The mysterious, globally-ranked Lovely had successfully retained her crown for three consecutive years, a feat Noel had not even come close to achieving. It had been sheer luck that she placed fifth last year.
However, that was enough to elevate her status at Starstream, where she was practically worshiped by every employee.
Yet, as murmurs of disapproval toward Cordy filled the room, Hank Rogers had the audacity to speak up. “Why don’t you just be a macro manager instead? It would be easier for everyone.”
Noel couldn’t help but chuckle to herself as Hank openly mocked Cordy. She knew better than anyone that Cordy wouldn’t have it easy, even if she managed to reclaim Starstream Group. Aside from Stephen Lang, the rest of the people here were nothing more than lapdogs to her and her father. They would gladly give Cordy three months before she inevitably gave up.
“When I worked at Jessop Corp…”
“Sure, Jessop Corp designs high fashion here in North City, but you were only in PR back then,” Hank cut her off, throwing more shade. “You didn’t have anything to do with the designing, so it’s a whole different matter. Don’t bother pushing yourself.”
Cordy stood up, and while everyone expected her to storm off, she remained perfectly calm. She calmly retrieved a USB flash drive, plugged it into the conference room laptop, and pulled up several slides.
“These are the Starstream fashion lines from the past two years. It’s clear that not much has changed, and the design Ms. Noel Sachs presented is practically identical. If it weren’t for the color change, I’d have assumed it was last year’s draft.”
Noel opened her mouth to argue, but Cordy shot her a look. “Didn’t you gain any inspiration during your visit to Jessop Corp today?”
“I’m a professional. I won’t plagiarize another company’s work,” Noel said, trying to defend herself.
“And I’m telling you that the trends have drastically shifted this spring. Take a look at these brochures from several major international brands. It’s obvious your designs don’t reflect any of those trends.” Cordy’s tone was sharp, her patience running thin.
Noel’s face darkened. Cordy had exposed her for what she was—someone who hadn’t bothered to come up with fresh ideas in two years. Despite the loyal heads of departments who backed Noel, no one could deny the truth presented so clearly.
It was as though Cordy had slapped them all in the face.
Cordy addressed Noel with an air of authority. “From now on, all drafts from your department will only go into production after my review. You have one week to submit a new draft directly to me by next Tuesday.”
Turning to the others, she added, “Since none of you prepared the summaries I asked for, I expect them on my desk by nine in the morning tomorrow. If they’re not submitted by the deadline, your departments’ performance will be marked as null.”
With that, she left the room, leaving everyone stunned in her wake.
Stephen hurried to catch up with her, while the rest stood, wide-eyed, at the display of her strength and presence. How had she, only twenty-five and a woman at that, managed to command so much respect?
Back in her office, Cordy confided in Stephen. “Every department manager is Simon’s lapdog. I wish I could shake up the whole company and bring in some fresh blood.”
Stephen hesitated. “A shake-up might make it harder to gain loyalty. Organizations need their members to be united.”
Cordy was unbothered. “We can fire a few to set an example. But the priority is getting rid of Fiona Lamb—otherwise, Simon will have eyes and ears on every move I make.”
Stephen was taken aback. Cordy had far exceeded his expectations. His loyalty to her stemmed from a debt owed to her mother, but Cordy’s performance had him in awe. It reminded him of her mother at the helm.
Meanwhile, at Levine Ventures HQ, Randy Martin stood behind John, sensing that something was amiss. John didn’t seem to be focused on his work.
“Randy,” John said, setting the document he was holding aside.
“Yes, Mr. Levine?” Randy responded.
“How are things over there?” John asked.
Randy’s mind raced, wondering where “there” referred to. Was it the north? The east? The west?
Finally, he realized it must be about Mrs. Levine. But hadn’t John told him to trust her? Randy had refrained from keeping tabs.
Still, he was quick to act. “I’ll go find out,” he said before leaving the office.
He returned shortly after. “Mrs. Levine called for a meeting of the executives, but it seems like it didn’t go smoothly. The executives were furious, and we heard that Noel left the room with puffy eyes.”
John’s lips, which had been tight all day, finally relaxed. He took a sip of his coffee, his mood lifting. “Mrs. Levine?”
“…Right?” Randy asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” John teased, a grin spreading across his face.
Randy almost complained, but seeing John so relaxed, he realized it was because men in love often saw the world through rose-colored glasses.
“Oh, and by the way,” Randy continued, “Mr. Davis called you earlier, during your meeting.”
“What did he say?”
“That Mandy Jessop stormed into his office like a mad dog, causing chaos, and almost giving him a stroke.”
John smiled. “Just tell him I’m disciplining Mandy for the disrespect she showed him all those years.”
Randy was speechless. Bob would never believe that.
At 10 PM, Cordy stretched her arms, realizing she had worked late into the night. It was nothing new—she’d done this back at Jessop Corp.
Pushing the past aside, she picked up her coffee and stood before the window, staring out at the city. Her focus now was on setting her mother’s company back on track and keeping it out of the Sachs’ hands.
Though she had convinced herself that love was behind her, a certain man’s face lingered in her thoughts—tall, aloof, domineering, yet with a hidden tenderness.
She pursed her lips and chose indifference. She didn’t have any expectations anymore.
After setting down her cup, she left the office and went home. To her surprise, a delivery boy was waiting outside her door.
“Ms. Sachs?” he called out.
Cordy was puzzled. She hadn’t ordered anything.
“One portion of heart-healthy chicken soup. Please sign here!” The boy handed her a pen.
Cordy paused. The order was from ‘Dicky.’
Realizing who it was from, she signed for the delivery and brought it inside. As she sipped the broth, she considered thanking John. But in the end, she shrugged it off. Once bitten, twice shy.