Jean practically raced into her office, her excitement bubbling under the surface. The moment she stepped in, her eyes scanned for one person… Emma.
Her cousin who was also a hard worker. Seated at her desk, brows furrowed as she focused on her computer screen. Completely unaware of Jean's arrival.
Emma was deep into her screen, fingers flying across the keyboard, when suddenly, her vision was blocked. With zero hesitation, she slid onto Emma's desk, deliberately blocking the screen.
Jean perched herself right on Emma's desk, arms crossed, a triumphant smirk on her lips.
"Good morning, dearest cousin."
Emma barely flinched. Instead, she sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Jean, I swear, if you just gave me a virus by slamming your butt on my keyboard…"
Jean didn't let her finish by giving her the devilish grin ever. "Oh, relax. Your precious files are safe." She tapped her fingers against the desk. "Now, let's talk business."
Emma gave her a suspicious glance. "Business? Why do I feel like I'm about to get dragged into something?"
Jean leaned in, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Because you are."
Emma sighed dramatically, leaning back in her chair. "Jean, I know that look. It means trouble."
Jean grinned, swinging her legs slightly. "You wound me, cousin. Can't a woman just share her joy?"
Emma raised a brow. "Joy or revenge?"
Jean gasped in mock offense. "Why not both?"
Emma groaned. "Why do I feel like this has something to do with Diane, the pretentious bitch CEO?"
"Nope!" Jean declined while smiling ear to ear.
Emma arched her eyebrow in question, "then, Jordan Cogx the narcissist CEO?"
Jean chucked giddily, "you are absolutely wrong again. Think harder, I know you just have the name on the tip of your tongue."
Emma's eyes widened, "Logan Kingsley!"
"Ding! Ding! Ding!" Jean dramatically faked a gasp. "Wow, Emma. How would you assume that?"
"Because his name is always on the tip of your tongue!" Emma shook her head, but the amusement was clear in her eyes. "Okay, spill it. What did Logan do now?"
Jean smacked Emma slightly, "I don't take his name that often."
Emma rolled her eyes to that statement. "Yeah, whatever you say Boss!" To that she got another smack. "Ouch! Fine, now spill the drama… I'm all ears."
Jean's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh, it's not about what he did… it's about what I'm going to do."
Emma braced herself because she had a feeling something big was in the works. "Go on."
Jean's grin widened. "I'm stealing his client."
Emma blinked. Once. Twice. Then she leaned forward, intrigued. "Okay… now you have my attention." Her hands dropped to her lap. "Jean… continue."
Jean slid off the desk, pacing in front of her. "Let's just say I overheard something interesting this morning. A certain client who specializes in the art of fabrics."
Emma sat up straight, instantly catching on. "You mean the one Logan's been after?"
Jean turned to her, a smug smile in place. "Exactly. And guess who's about to swoop in and take them first?"
Emma let out a low whistle. "You're playing with fire."
Jean shrugged, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Please, Emma. I am the fire."
Emma exhaled, but she was already smiling. "Alright, boss. Tell me the plan."
Jean grinned. "That's what I like to hear, always my partner in crime."
Jean stood at the head of the sleek conference table, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the city skyline through the large glass windows. The tension in the air was palpable… She didn't have time for second chances.
The sound of the door opening made her turn. Emma stepped in first, her expression smug yet professional, followed by three women who exuded confidence.
"This is the A-class team you asked for," Emma announced, stepping aside to let them in fully. "Rosalie Carter, marketing manager. Sasha Vance, PR manager. And Ganga Patel, our soon-to-be designer."
Jean's sharp eyes assessed each of them as they took their seats.
Rosalie, the marketing manager, straightened her blazer and met Jean's gaze without hesitation. "I've already studied Kim Chong Yu's business portfolio. If we play this right, we can make him reconsider."
Sasha, the PR expert, crossed her legs with a knowing smile. "He may have already chosen Logan, but that means we just have to make him think he made the wrong choice."
Ganga, the designer, adjusted her glasses, her fingers already tapping on her tablet. "If we can incorporate a signature design concept tailored to his market, we'll give him something Kingsley Corporation won't."
Jean smirked. Finally, some people who understood the assignment.
She placed both hands on the table and leaned in. "Good. Because I'm not here to lose. Logan may think he has this in the bag, but I'm about to remind him that he's dealing with me."
Emma grinned from the side, clearly enjoying the brewing storm.
Jean's voice was cool but commanding as she added, "So let's get to work."
After an exhausting yet productive discussion with her team, Jean finally returned home. The moment she stepped inside, the weight of the day threatened to settle in, but the thrill of the challenge ahead kept her spirits high.
For a brief moment, she allowed herself to relax, a small, satisfied smile gracing her lips as she walked into the house. But her moment of peace ended as soon as her eyes fell on the strict figure.
Sitting in the living room, waiting like a judge prepared to deliver a verdict, was her mother. Her sharp gaze met Jean's the instant she walked in, filled with unmistakable disapproval.
Jean sighed internally. Of course, this wasn't over.
"You're late," her mother remarked coldly, placing her teacup down with a quiet clink.
Jean didn't bother responding. There was no point.
Her mother exhaled sharply, shaking her head as if disappointed beyond words. "Look, I called Brandon and asked him to give you another chance."
Jean's fingers twitched at the mention of his name, but she maintained a neutral expression.
"He told me how you rudely walked out on him last night," her mother continued. "Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was? You can't keep ruining every chance at a respectable match, Jean."
Jean clenched her jaw, but her mother wasn't finished.
"Look I had to convince him with everything in my power so, you will make it right. Tomorrow night, you will meet Brandon again for dinner."
The command was clear. The expectation set.
Jean smiled politely, tilting her head slightly as if considering it. Then, with unwavering calmness, she said, "I can't."
Her mother's brows knitted together. "What do you mean you can't?"
Jean met her gaze directly, unflinching.
"Because I'm going to South Korea tomorrow."
Silence fell between them.
Her mother's expression twisted in shock, then fury. "Jean…"
But Jean didn't stay to listen. She turned on her heel and walked away, her smile widening.
Let her mother fume. She had bigger things to focus on now.