C10 Chief Designer

"Rhyd, are you telling me... you were the one rejecting all my drafts before?" Julietta's voice quivered with a mix of humiliation and fury. Rhyd's words cut deep, and they were simply too harsh.

"Now you won't even look at my designs before telling me to leave?" Julietta pressed, her frustration evident.

"Yes, I rejected them! And what of it? With the quality of work you're producing, I don't even need to waste my time reviewing it—I've thrown them straight into the trash," Rhyd said dismissively.

Julietta clenched her jaw, her face flushed with anger. So it was Rhyd who had been dismissing her work all these years without so much as a glance? Her efforts, poured into those drafts day and night, were just casually discarded?

It felt like a blatant disregard and trampling of her hard work.

"Still not satisfied?" Rhyd taunted with an arrogant smirk. "You question my judgment? I'm one of York City's top ten jewelry designers. You? You haven't produced a single noteworthy piece. If I say your work is garbage, then it's garbage."

"Enough. You can leave now. This is a space for management, and you don't belong here," Rhyd said, her tone light but laced with finality.

"Julietta, do yourself a favor and recognize your place. Take your deadbeat husband and get out. Stop embarrassing yourself," Leon added with a tone of impatience.

"What's all this commotion about?"

At that moment, a deep, authoritative voice filled the room, prompting an immediate hush among the management team.

Jefferson emerged from his office, his gaze methodically sweeping over Rhyd and Leon. The couple's fleeting bravado evaporated under his scrutiny. Facing Jefferson, a recent arrival from the Alvarez Group, they didn't dare to make another misstep.

Both had witnessed Jefferson's formidable influence firsthand. Their father had barely navigated through the recent challenge, while Carter Evans, the Evans family's third son, was still reeling from the ordeal.

"It's nothing serious, Chairman Jefferson, just a minor issue. Some folks were unclear about the company's policies, and I was in the process of setting them straight," Leon explained.

"Oh?" Jefferson glanced at Leon, inquiring, "And who might be unaware of the rules?"

"It's a junior employee from the marketing department, Julietta. She entered the executive suite without permission, so I was reprimanding her," Leon responded.

"She was here at my request. Is there an issue with that?" Jefferson's tone remained even.

"Furthermore, I want to remind you that this is a workplace. As a member of the leadership team, making a scene is unbecoming, don't you think?"

Leon's face soured at Jefferson's rebuke.

"I expect a quiet work environment. If there's any more disruption, you both may need to find a new place to work," Jefferson stated firmly.

With that, Jefferson turned to Julietta, offering a warm smile.

"Miss Julietta, I reviewed your jewelry design concept from yesterday and was quite taken with it. Please, come to my office so we can discuss the details of your design," he invited.

"Thank you, Chairman Jefferson," Julietta replied with sincerity.

Ignoring Leon and his entourage, Jefferson led Julietta and Miron back to his office for a private conversation.

Rhyd watched their departing figures, her snort of disdain barely masking her irritation.

"She just stumbled into good fortune. How could her mediocre designs catch Chairman Jefferson's eye?" she muttered bitterly.

"Chairman Jefferson isn't a jewelry expert; what does he know about design? He's mistaking trash for treasure," Leon sneered under his breath.

Neither had anticipated Chairman Jefferson's intervention on Julietta's behalf, leaving them at a loss for words.

Moments ago, they had mocked Julietta's designs as subpar, yet now, in the presence of the company's elite, Chairman Jefferson's endorsement had turned the tables, leaving Rhyd feeling profoundly humiliated.

"Ms. Rhyd, for someone at Julietta's level, it's already quite a feat that Chairman Jefferson is considering her for an internship," a senior executive from the Evans family said, ingratiatingly. "In any case, Julietta will ultimately be taking orders from you."

"Absolutely, Ms. Rhyd. As the company's Chief Jewelry Designer, you'll have the perfect opportunity to show Julietta what true jewelry design is all about," chimed in a manager from the design department.

"Ha, the idea that she could use jewelry design to make a name for herself in the company is laughable. Once she's in the design department, I'll take my time teaching her a lesson," Rhyd remarked with a cold laugh.

She was, after all, the deputy director and the Chief Jewelry Designer of the company, holding absolute sway over the jewelry design sector.

Julietta thinking she could use her design skills to rise through the ranks? Pure fantasy.

...

In the CEO's office.

Jefferson himself served coffee to Julietta and Miron, which left Julietta feeling flattered and a bit overwhelmed, sensing that her creative design had truly impressed Chairman Jefferson.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," Jefferson said warmly as he settled back into his chair. "Your 'King of the World' design is exceptional. It's one of the most outstanding submissions I've seen."

"Thank you, Chairman Jefferson," Julietta replied, taking the opportunity to introduce Miron. "The 'King of the World' is a collaborative design between Miron and me—he's right here beside me."

"Oh?" Jefferson inquired nonchalantly. "Is this gentleman your husband?"

"Uh..." Julietta hesitated before confirming with a nod.

Jefferson smiled and continued, "The reason I've asked you here today is to inform you that your design has been approved by the Board of Directors. The company will move forward with production, and I would like you to personally oversee the development and research of this project. You'll be in charge of the entire process."

"Me, personally in charge?" Julietta was surprised, then thrilled at the prospect. To oversee the production of her own design, a true gem, was beyond her wildest dreams.

You should be aware that adhering strictly to her design, the cost to produce the King of the World would exceed ten million yuan! She had never before managed a project of such magnitude.

"But I'm just a salesperson in the marketing department, with no experience in this field..." Julietta said, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"There's no need for concern," Jefferson said firmly. "In my capacity as the acting chairman of Evans Jewelry Group, I am pleased to inform you, Ms. Julietta, that your creative design has met my expectations. Therefore, I am appointing you as the head of our design department and as the Chief Design Officer."

"The announcement is prepared and awaiting your consent. Once you agree, it will be issued under the authority of the Board of Directors," Jefferson continued. "You can even take over the director's office today."

"Chairman Jefferson, are you saying you want me to be the Chief Design Officer?" Julietta asked, her lips parting in astonishment, hardly able to believe what she was hearing, as if in a dream.

Chairman Jefferson was offering her not just the role of the design department head but also the Chief Design Officer—a pivotal position with the utmost authority over jewelry design within the group!

Before this moment, she hadn't even dared to dream of such an opportunity. Her greatest hope had been to be recruited by Chairman Jefferson as a jewelry designer, which would have left her completely content.

Yet, unexpectedly, she was being catapulted to the upper echelons of the group's management.

"Indeed, although your position will initially be on an interim basis, it will become permanent once you successfully bring the King of the World project to fruition," Jefferson stated earnestly.

"Nevertheless, you will have full access to the position's authority. If the project is successful, it will bring substantial profits and significantly enhance our brand's impact. I am very confident in the value this project holds, and currently, the group needs an exclusive, high-end jewelry piece to bolster our presence in East Province's jewelry market."

"Moreover, I believe your design expertise is more than sufficient for this role," Jefferson added. "Rest assured, go ahead with confidence. You will have my full support every step of the way."

Julietta took a deep breath, her excitement nearly indescribable. Once she had composed herself, she looked at Chairman Jefferson with a solemn expression. "Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity. I promise to make this project a resounding success!"

"No need for thanks," Jefferson said with a smile, casting a glance at Miron. "And considering your husband's role in creating 'King of the World' with you, it's clear he has a remarkable talent for jewelry design. Have you thought about him joining our design team?"

Julietta turned to Miron, her eyes twinkling. "What do you think?"

Miron chuckled. "I might not have enough expertise to be a jewelry designer, but I could certainly assist you and offer strategic advice."

She nodded, looking back at Jefferson. "Chairman Jefferson, may I have Miron as my assistant?"

"There's no need to ask my permission," Jefferson replied. "I trust your judgment. As our new Chief Design Officer, you'll oversee the jewelry design team and make your own personnel decisions."

Two minutes later, Jefferson and Julietta emerged from the office, all smiles, leaving the company's executives with looks of astonishment.

"Alright, everyone, please pause your work," Jefferson announced to the gathered senior managers, his tone commanding attention.

The executives rose from their chairs, their eyes fixed on the trio.

"I'm officially announcing that from now on, the jewelry design team will be under the full direction of our new acting Chief Design Officer, Director Julietta," Jefferson declared solemnly. "I expect everyone to extend her a warm welcome and full cooperation."

The room was filled with shock and disbelief at his words.

"What? Chief Design Officer? How is she qualified for that?" Rhyd's mind reeled with shock, her face a picture of astonishment, as she processed Chairman Jefferson's announcement.

The news hit her like a bolt from the blue. For years, she had been the de facto leader of the jewelry design team, despite her title as deputy director. Now, it seemed, she would have to follow Julietta's lead.