Chapter 40 Without Her Job at F&M Apparel, She’d Be Nothing
Nicole’s face showed a hint of embarrassment, and there was a blush behind her ears. Ever since she slept with that guy five years ago, she had rarely had such intimate contact with other men except for work. After lowering her head and hemming a few times, she quickly found a topic, saying, “Actually, my idea is to separate the everyday wear from the haute couture ones. The everyday wear can be sold in-store, whereas the haute couture ones will be tailor-made.” She paused for a moment, her eyes lowered. Then, she continued in one breath, “Once your brand opens up the haute couture market, it will rise in status. By then, we can have a separate label under the brand name for the specific purpose of making high-quality clothing.”
Colton nodded with satisfaction, for Nicole’s words had pointed out nearly all the difficulties Gardner Apparel was facing. He lowered his voice to make it sound deeper, saying, “These are also my expectations. I didn’t think you would point them out directly in just a few words, though.”
Nicole only thought the man had said so out of courtesy, though. Without taking his words seriously, she continued, “These are my preliminary design drafts, but since we’re working with your company this time, I hope that your company’s designers can get involved in this too.”
Colton nodded with a faint smile on his face. “The entire Design Department of Gardner Corporation will be at your disposal, Miss Lisa.”
Nicole stood up while holding the design drafts in her hand. “Okay. In that case, I’ll be going to the Design Department to familiarize myself with the department first. I’ll come in right after the turn of the year.” She breathed a soft sigh of relief. Seems like Colton has much confidence in my design. He barely has any suggestions about these drafts.
Seeing her standing up, Colton stood up as well. “Let me take you there.”
Recalling what had happened when she had just arrived, Nicole put out her hand and interrupted him with a faint smile on her face. “No, you don’t have to. I’d like to go there alone and find out what they’re really like. That way, I can work with them more smoothly.” If she went there as Lisa, those in the Design Department would at least be respectful toward her in front of others, but that would be too hypocritical.
Colton mulled over Nicole’s words. Realizing what she meant, he nodded. “In that case, I’ll have my assistant show you the way to the Design Department. Please familiarize yourself with the department first.”
Nicole politely said goodbye to him and picked up the design drafts. After sorting the drafts in order, she left his office.
After Colton watched Nicole leave, a meaningful smile appeared on his face. Seems like my previous efforts weren’t all in vain, he thought. This was the first time Lisa joined the company for the partnership. As far as Colton remembered, during his company’s past collaborations with F&M Apparel, especially Lisa, she would only let her assistant submit the design drafts without much exchange with his company. With the official collaboration with F&M Apparel and Lisa heading the Design Department, Gardner Apparel would establish itself as the leading company in the country’s clothing industry.
Tony led Nicole to the Design Department before respectfully escorting her to the door. “Miss Anderson, the Design Department’s here.”
Nicole nodded before putting away the drafts in her hand with a modest smile on her face. “Thank you for showing me the way, Mr. Larson.”
“You’re welcome,” Tony replied. After bidding goodbye to Nicole, he turned around and left right away.
Nicole adjusted her collar and patted her hair in place to make herself look less slovenly. As soon as she entered the department, she heard a noise. It wasn’t loud, but she could vaguely discern the word “Lisa” from among the noise. When she calmed down and leaned forward, she heard those in the department talking about her.
“Did you hear that F&M Apparel’s Lisa will be coming to our company to work with us to launch the new fashions for the next summer and winter?”
As soon as the person finished speaking, a high-pitched female voice could be heard saying, “Bah! What’s so great about her? She’s only famous because she has F&M Apparel backing her up. Without her job at F&M Apparel, she’d be nothing.”
