Chapter 16: A Tooth for a Tooth, Toying with Vivian Lynch Editor: Henyee Translations

"You like them?" Adrian Preston asked suddenly.

"Of course, I do. Who wouldn’t love something so brilliant and beautiful? It’s just a shame they’re so fleeting. You can’t hold on to them."

Adrian Preston pressed his lips together and didn’t reply.

Perhaps because she’d had so much fun tonight, the ache in her heart had lessened. It was past midnight on the way back, and she was so exhausted she actually fell asleep in the car.

Her head came to rest on Adrian Preston’s shoulder. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before looking back down to deal with his documents.

Soon, they arrived at the villa.

"Adrian, we’re here..."

"Keep your voice down," Adrian Preston said, and Theo immediately shut his mouth.

Adrian Preston lifted her into his arms, carried her upstairs, and laid her on the bed.

"You’re sleeping so soundly, you wouldn’t even know if I sold you." Adrian Preston tapped her forehead gently. He watched her for a long moment before turning to leave.

The moon was beautiful tonight, and the breeze was gentle.

Mia Kane was woken by a noise early the next morning. She glanced at her phone; it was just past five. Even Adrian Preston wouldn’t wake her this early.

Looking at the overseas number, her first thought was that it was a scammer. She rejected the call, but the person called back several more times.

Finally, she answered in frustration, "Who is this? What do you want?"

The person on the other end spoke fluent English. "Excuse me, is this Miss Nona? Your work has been nominated for the Women’s Wear Designer of the Year award. We were wondering if you would be available to attend the awards ceremony."

"Scammer..." Mia Kane muttered before hanging up, planning to go back to sleep. But just as she closed her eyes, she abruptly remembered something.

She had traveled abroad for three months earlier and had indeed entered a fashion design competition—one that was said to be the Oscars of the fashion world.

She shot up in bed and quickly called the number back.

After the call ended, she leaped off the bed in excitement.

For the past three years, she’d had her own business—a fashion design studio. But her mind had been entirely on Chase Lockwood, so she’d been very laid-back as a designer, not caring whether she had orders or not. After all, she wasn’t short on money.

However, she had never given up her passion for design. She made many of her own clothes, buying the fabric herself, and was skilled in various techniques like tie-dyeing, printing, and embroidery.

While traveling abroad, she’d seen the competition entry form and filled it out on a whim. Then, in her spare time, she drew up the design sketches and created a sample. She never expected to actually be nominated—and for Best Women’s Wear Designer of the Year, no less!

If she won this title, she could finally make a name for her design studio.

The award couldn’t be mailed, and she didn’t have time to pick it up for now, so she asked them to hold on to it for her.

After the call, she washed up, changed her clothes, and waited for Adrian Preston to come get her for their run.

"You’re actually on time today."

"Let’s go! I can run ten kilometers today."

Mia Kane was full of energy, a far cry from her listless state the day before. However, after five kilometers, she was wilting. But Adrian Preston forced her to finish all ten.

After her run, Mia Kane changed into regular clothes and went to her design studio.

"Boss, you’re finally here! You haven’t been to the studio in two months and three days. Your office is about to start growing weeds," Rosalyn Shield, her assistant, was muttering nonstop.

"Huh? Where is everyone else?"

"They were poached," Rosalyn Shield said helplessly. "About half a month ago, by a company called Lynch Fashion Design, I think. They offered double the salary and snatched everyone away. Don’t you think she’s got a screw loose?"

Mia Kane frowned and immediately had Rosalyn Shield look into it.

Soon, the identity of Lynch’s boss was discovered: Vivian Lynch.

Vivian had studied finance in college and had absolutely nothing to do with fashion design. The fact that she opened a fashion design company right after returning to the country... Mia didn’t even have to guess her intentions.

She wants to crush her from all sides!

Right now, it was just poaching employees. In the future, she would probably start stealing clients.

"She didn’t try to poach you?"

"Oh, she did. Offered me the position of Design Director. But how could I leave? That would make me a traitor. I’m sticking with you!" Rosalyn Shield beamed.

Mia Kane was touched. Rosalyn’s family had run into some trouble in the past, and Mia had been the one to help them out. To repay the kindness, Rosalyn had stayed by her side ever since.

"Go and hire two more people. It’s time to get the studio up and running again."

"I’m on it!"

Rosalyn Shield left happily. Mia Kane returned to her office, but just as she was about to turn on her computer, her phone rang. It was an overseas number again.

"Miss Nona, someone has contacted us asking for your contact information. They hope you will consider a position at their company. I’m calling to ask for your thoughts."

"Who is it?"

"I believe her name is Vivian Lynch. Would you like to speak with her?"

All the blood in Mia Kane’s body rushed to her head.

The list of winners had just been announced. She had picked her nickname, Nona, on a whim while traveling abroad, yet Vivian Lynch had already tracked her down.

"Okay, I’ll log into my international social media account to talk with her. Have her add me." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

She used a VPN to access her international social media account, and soon, she had a friend request.

Seeing Vivian Lynch’s selfie profile picture, she had the urge to slap her right through the screen.

Vivian: Miss Nona, congratulations on winning Best Women’s Wear Designer. I’m a huge fan of your work. I was wondering if there might be an opportunity to invite you to collaborate?

Vivian: Of course, the salary will certainly be to your satisfaction. You can name your price.

Nona: A million a month.

Vivian: That’s certainly not a problem.

Nona: US dollars

Silence fell on the other end of the computer. One million US dollars was far too high a cost.

Vivian: Could you give me half an hour? I need to discuss it with my husband.

Nona: Fine, I’ll wait.

Mia Kane stared at the computer screen. The word "husband" was particularly jarring. She was also very curious to see if Vivian Lynch would be willing to pay such an exorbitant price.

In less than half an hour, a message popped up in the chat window.

Vivian: Okay, it’s a deal! When would you be available to sign the employment contract? The office is located at...

Nona: I won’t be back in the country for about three months. I can come to your company to work and sign the contract then. However, I need to make one thing clear: this award carries a lot of weight. Many international brands have already extended offers to me, all of which I will turn down. After all, I’ve already given you my word, and I can’t go back on it.

Nona: Furthermore, I’m willing to give up my career development here to return and work with you. But if I come back then and your company backs out of the deal, I will need you to compensate me for my losses over these three months—that is, three million US dollars. Is that acceptable? If so, let’s have a lawyer notarize it.

Vivian: That’s not a problem at all. We will naturally compensate you for your losses. But I guarantee that won’t happen.

Nona: Very well, then. I look forward to a pleasant collaboration.

When the chat ended, Mia Kane couldn’t help but smile.

In three months, would Vivian Lynch grit her teeth and welcome Mia with open arms, treating her like an honored guest? Or would she pay her three million US dollars in compensation?

Either way, it was a win-win situation for her.

She wondered what kind of expression Vivian Lynch would have when she discovered that Designer Nona was none other than Mia herself.