Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 246: Identical Design Drafts

Chapter 246: Identical Design Drafts

From early in the morning, Sophia Greenwood graced the design department with her meticulously applied makeup. Her colleagues, especially those who avidly followed fashion apps and public figures, instantly recognized the latest seasonal outfit she was wearing, their eyes brimming with envy.

"Ms. Greenwood, you truly turn our office into a runway with your daily fashion shows," one colleague remarked with a mix of admiration and jealousy.

Another female colleague shook her head in frustration, "It’s just disheartening to compare oneself!"

One woman nudged her friend playfully, suggesting, "Why don’t you just find yourself an old man to buy you those clothes?"

Her friend nudged back, both of them bursting into laughter, "Who? You mean you should find one!" The women paused, daydreaming, "Well, it depends on how much he spends."

Emma Hart listened to their banter with a hint of disdain. Although she knew it was all in jest, she couldn’t help but think there was a grain of truth in their words about depending on others. She understood that if one could simply reach out and get what they wanted, nobody would choose to be a designer.

Sophia Greenwood cleared her throat, her wine-red nails making her delicate skin look even more tender—a woman’s hands are her second face, and Sophia indeed took great care of every inch of her skin.

With a clap of her hands, Sophia’s authoritative tone filled the room, "Alright, everyone, our business partners are arriving soon to select a design proposal. They are a very capable company, and each of you needs to maintain our company’s image. Don’t let them see anything but our best. Any issues, don’t say I didn’t warn you! And..." Sophia paused, her gaze landing on Emma Hart and her group, "Are you all ready?"

"Yes," responded the members of both groups.

The two groups were hardly equal; Group A was robust, while Group B, led by Emma Hart, was only formed because Amelia Davidson had secured this collaboration and insisted on giving Emma a chance. This time, there were two proposals on the table, and it was up to the partner to decide which group’s design would be chosen.

Emma Hart, carrying her laptop, entered the conference room.

Logically, the order of presentation should have been decided by drawing lots, but as Sophia Greenwood entered, she was briefly stopped by someone from Group A. The team leader whispered something into Sophia’s ear, to which Sophia responded with a stern look, "Don’t cause any trouble."

The member of Group A nodded, "Of course not, it’s just about the order."

Emma Hart didn’t pay much attention as she waited for the meeting to proceed. Sophia Greenwood led the client, Mr. Lee, into the room.

"Mr. Lee, what an honor to have you here. Please, come in," Sophia greeted warmly.

Mr. Lee appeared to be a very serious and upright individual, maintaining a polite smile towards Sophia throughout the introduction.

The colleagues behind chuckled at Mr. Lee’s demeanor, "Mr. Lee seems so aloof. I’ve never seen anyone who could resist glancing at Sophia Greenwood."

In the workplace, a woman’s image, along with her capabilities, plays a crucial role. Though not directly decisive, it undoubtedly assists in some respects. Often, many tried to curry favor under Ms. Greenwood’s watch, but everyone knew who she was and dared not overstep.

"Ms. Greenwood, let’s start promptly," Mr. Lee suggested.

Caught off guard, Sophia gave an awkward smile and exchanged brief pleasantries before steering the conversation back on track, "Let’s get down to business then. Today’s main goal is to finalize the proposal. Our company has prepared two options for you, Mr. Lee. To expedite the process, we’ll start with Group A."

Mr. Lee gave Sophia a look, perhaps because she didn’t follow the usual protocol, but it didn’t matter much since both proposals were from the same company.

Emma, inexperienced and unfamiliar with the procedures, wasn’t fazed either.

A colleague from Group A stepped up and launched the PowerPoint presentation, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is our design proposal from Group A."

Hannah Davis pointed confidently at her design on the screen. Emma, sipping water, looked up and suddenly her eyes widened in shock. The design on the screen... wasn’t that her design?

Her gaze shifted to Hannah, who was beaming with pride, effortlessly explaining the design concepts that Emma had prepared in the PowerPoint. Even if one were to read straight from the slides, they would manage.

How could this happen?

Emma stared blankly at Hannah, tempted to stand up but restrained by the audience engrossed in Hannah’s presentation. Overwhelmed, Emma remained seated.

Mr. Lee watched Hannah Davis’s presentation with evident satisfaction, seemingly very pleased with her design. Following her conclusion, he led the applause, and Sophia Greenwood joined in, acknowledging that the work was indeed commendable.

"That’s an excellent design," Mr. Lee remarked, appreciating its shift away from overt commercialism back to nature, aligning perfectly with their company’s promotional ethos for the season. "Your company has really delved deep into our brand spirit," he commented to Sophia, clearly impressed.

Mr. Lee, eager to continue, said, "Now, I’m even more curious to see the second set of designs."

Sophia nodded and turned to Emma Hart. "Emma, please show us your work."

Sophia had not been closely involved with Emma’s design and was apprehensive about its reception, whispering to Mr. Lee, "She’s one of our new designers, just starting out. She completed the design proposal on her own, so..."

Mr. Lee brushed off Sophia’s cautious prelude, "Ah, Ms. Greenwood, don’t be so quick to judge. Who knows? She might be a dark horse with great potential."

With an encouraging look, he watched Emma as she moved hesitantly towards the front. With each step, Emma felt increasingly out of control, her gaze flitting nervously to Group A, where Hannah Davis instinctively avoided her eyes.

Emma knew her own design well—it was unmistakably hers. But would others believe it was her work?

Now, the two design drafts were identical. Emma’s mistake had been to prepare everything so thoroughly in her PowerPoint presentation to ensure there were no errors.

"Emma Hart, hurry up, don’t waste time!" Sophia urged impatiently.

Emma stepped up and launched the PowerPoint.

The screen displayed a design identical to Hannah Davis’s. The room fell into stunned silence, and Sophia looked on in disbelief at Emma’s presentation.

"The same?" murmurs began to spread among the audience.

Frustrated, Sophia slammed her hand down, "Emma Hart, what is this mess? Are you trying to sabotage us?"