Chapter 115
Don nodded, “Right.”
While talking, he glanced at the design proposal and then looked back at Brandon, kinda scratching his head about what Brandon was thinking.
“She’s not worth it?” Don asked nervously.
Brandon closed the design proposal, “She’s worth it.”
Don breathed a sigh of relief, “See, I’ve got a good eye when it comes to people.”
Brandon’s lips curled up in a half-smile as he looked at him, “People you’ve got your eye on?”
Thinking Brandon got the wrong end of the stick, Don quickly clarified, “The talent I’ve got my eye on.”
“Isn’t she not interested in coming over?”
“That’s why I need you to step in,” Don said, leaning in closer to Brandon, “There’s no one you can’t hold on to in this world. How about I set up a dinner and you try to sweet-talk her into it?”
Brandon tossed the closed design proposal onto the table, “I can’t hold on to her.”
“How do you know it won’t work if you haven’t even tried?” Don leaned in to grab the design proposal from the table, “The mighty Starlight Group personally inviting her to be the design director of a subsidiary? That’s a huge sign of respect. Who wouldn’t be tempted by that?”
Brandon’s lips twitched again, the arc shallow, but Don saw it-a clear hint of scoffing..
“No?” Don didn’t get it, couldn’t figure out where he went wrong.
Brandon didn’t clear up his confusion, just looked at him, “You told her about the subsidiary, right? The one set up in partnership with the Starlight Group.”
Don nodded again, “Yeah.”
Then he saw Brandon’s lips curl up in that faint, mocking smile once more.
Don puzzled, “What’s the problem?”
“No problem.”
Brandon stood up, “What time did you set up the meeting with her?”
“What time works for you?”
“I’m easy.”
Don was taken aback. “I’m easy” meant that the time was up to the designer. Brandon, usually so strict with time management, was actually willing to accommodate a designer’s schedule?
“You really like this proposal?” That was the only possibility Don could think of. Brandon, like him, valued talent.
Brandon gave him a look, “Did I say that?”
“You’re willing to accommodate the designer’s time, isn’t that the same thing?”
“My ‘I’m easy’ means, let’s see if you can even get the meeting scheduled.”
Don was speechless.
Brandon had already picked up the documents on the table, “Just let me know when it’s all set.”
With that, he was gone.
Don didn’t follow. There was no one he couldn’t get a meeting with; Brandon’s demeanor and actions were clearly very pleased.
Leaving Brandon’s office, Don couldn’t wait to call Sophia, “The client approved the design proposal. Everyone’s happy with it.”
Sophia was at the hospital, about to pick up Haley, and surprisingly happy at the news, “Really?”
“For real, why would I lie?” Don was already walking out, “There might be some tweaks needed to the proposal. Are you free tonight? How about dinner with the client to discuss it face-to-face?”
Sophia glanced at the time, “Sure, what time?”
“Whenever works for you. The client is very enthusiastic.”
“How about six in the evening?”
“Works for me.”
“You pick the place, I’m not familiar with the client.”
Don nodded, “Alright, I’ll text you the address.”
“Okay.”
Sophia hung up and looked up to see Haley staring at her expectantly.
“You’ve got work, right? You go ahead, don’t mind me. I’ll call Aaron later,” Haley said, reaching for her phone.
Laura glared, “She’s got work, and doesn’t Aaron?”
“Aaron didn’t get a proper job.” Haley muttered, then clammed up under Laura’s sharp gaze.
Sophia pretended not to hear, stepping forward to help Haley, “No worries, I’ll take you home first.”
Sophia called a cab for Haley and sent him home.
The hospital was quite a distance from home.
By the time Sophia got Haley to the doorstep, it was nearly five.
“Let’s have dinner at home, you haven’t been back for years.”
The cab had just stopped at the neighborhood entrance when Haley tried to convince Sophia.
Before Sophia could reply. Laura had already jumped in, “Used to be a rich lady, how could she fancy our humble home cooking?”
While speaking, Laura helped Haley out of the cab, not forgetting to turn to Sophia and say, “You don’t need to come back, I can help your dad to the apartment. Go wherever you please.”
Clearly not intending to let her in.
Haley was uncomfortable watching this, looking at Laura, “What kind of talk is that? Our daughter comes home for once, and we should at least have a meal together.”
“I don’t have a daughter.”
Haley was taken aback.
Sophia remained calm throughout, “I’ll go back and get some stuff, don’t worry, I won’t come back to bother you again.”
“What stuff do you still have here?”
Sophia ignored her and went straight in.
Aaron was still sprawled on the sofa, glued to his phone, the little one probably still at daycare, not home.
Seeing Sophia come in, Aaron stood up.
“Back already?”
Sophia gave a soft “hm” and went into her room.
The room was filled with clutter, and there was a thin layer of dust on the tables and cabinets-it hadn’t been cleaned in a long time.
The bed was also covered with old clothes and sheets, as well as toys and books the kids didn’t want anymore. It had become a complete junk pile.
The desk wasn’t much better, also covered with clutter..
There was nowhere to sit in the entire room.
Laura came in with Haley and seeing Sophia in the room, started ranting, “Betty is getting older, we need to clear out this room for her.”
Haley frowned immediately, “Where’s Sophia gonna stay when she comes back?”
Laura rolled her eyes dismissively, “Does she still need to come back? And even if she does, what’s wrong with sleeping on the sofa? She’s not staying long”
Haley didn’t dare to make another peep.
Sophia ignored them, just surveyed the room, and went to the clutter-covered desk, pulling open a drawer. Unsurprisingly, in the corner, there was a jewelry box gathering dust.
Sophia popped open her jewelry box and, yup, that white jade necklace was still chilling in there.
She fished it out and dangled it from her fingertip, zoning out as she stared at it.
