Chapter 196 Unrepentant
Sophia had taken two days off and had to go to the company today. With the awards ceremony the day after tomorrow, the design of the dress was urgent. Sophia had been at the sewing machine all day.
When everyone learned that everyone could participate in this assessment, more than a dozen designers were working hard to create dresses.
Even Charlotte, who was usually not competitive, was practically glued to the sewing machine.
"Aren't you going to participate?" Sophia curiously asked Larry.
She remembered that Larry was best at designing dresses.
Larry shook his head. "Sophia, I am your staunch supporter; how could I participate in the assessment and jeopardize your chances? I won’t do such a thing."
He was disappointed that Charlotte would participate. The three of them were so close, eating together every day, and nearly commuting together. But their friendship could not withstand one assessment.
Sophia understood. That was just how the workplace was.
"The dresses you design are much better than your other clothes. This is an opportunity; I think you should try it."
"Wouldn't that ruin your chances?"
"What's mine will be mine; what's not won't come even if I force it." Sophia was very open-minded. Anyway, there were already so many competitors, one more or one less didn't matter.
She didn't care anymore.
Larry really wanted to participate, but he still shook his head. "I can't compete with you guys. I won't participate."
"You need to have confidence in yourself; you're not inferior at all." Sophia patted his shoulder and left.
Larry sat in his place, thinking for a long time.
He didn't have much confidence. A man designing women's clothing was a minority in the entire industry, and many people would question his ability because of his gender.
He was a graduate of a prestigious university, and his grades were always good in school. He belonged to the type who could always excel no matter how much he played. He had a talent for design and liked designing women's clothing, especially evening dresses.
During school, he participated in a campus competition and won first place with a set of evening gowns he designed. However, because he was a man, he was maliciously rumored to be a psychopath who liked to study women's bodies, and that was why he was able to design such a dress that highlighted the beauty of women.
This incident almost prevented him from graduating.
Afterwards, he rarely designed evening dresses and mostly designed some standard women's clothing.
Sophia's encouragement gave Larry a bit of courage, and he quickly drew a set of dresses on paper.
But he didn't plan to participate in this assessment, as it didn't mean much to him.
Sophia put the finished dress on the model, and Fiona came in with a coffee.
"Wow, Designer Kelly finished the dress so quickly. Let me see."
She was wearing high heels, and when she was one step away, Fiona tripped, and the coffee was about to splash on Sophia's dress.
Sophia, having been fooled once, was not about to let it happen again. When Fiona "tripped", Sophia held her, grabbed her hand, took the coffee, and splashed it on Fiona's face.
Fiona let out a scream.
Everyone looked over.
"Fiona, you're really unrepentant." Sophia really wanted to throw the cup at her head, but if she did, it could easily turn into intentional assault.
She slammed the cup on the table with a "bang", which scared Fiona.
"I've warned you, don't mess with me again."
Sophia stared coldly at Fiona.
A chill ran down Fiona’s spine. At this moment, everyone was watching them. Fiona's face was covered in coffee; she was utterly embarrassed.
She was a bit relieved that the coffee wasn't that hot; otherwise, her face would have been ruined.
"You... you wait for me!" Fiona threatened angrily, then turned and ran.
Sophia frowned deeply. How did someone as stupid and poisonous as Fiona, with average business skills, get hired by the Lancaster Group?
The annual performance results of the employees came out. This year, everyone in the design department met the standards except for Fiona.
Fiona, who had just cleaned herself up, saw the notice and was almost in tears. She ran to find Margaret.
Margaret sighed, "Think about what you've done this year."
There was no breakthrough in design, but she was good at bullying lower-level employees and newcomers.
She was already being lenient by allowing Fiona to stay.
In the company, if your performance did not meet the standard, your year-end bonus was halved. She was the only one in the department who didn't meet the standard. This was really embarrassing.
Fiona walked out dejectedly. She subconsciously looked towards Sophia.
Why did Sophia, who had only been here for a few months, get Margaret's appreciation?
She must outperform Sophia in this assessment. She needed to regain her lost dignity and face!
She will make a comeback!
The next day, Sophia took her gown to meet Noah.
Noah was preparing for the award ceremony tomorrow. In the lounge, a line of clothes was brought in and quickly taken away.
Several designers from the Lancaster Group were already waiting when Sophia arrived.
The person who had just gone in to see Noah was Fiona. When she came out, she was smiling confidently, looking like she had already won. She even walked up to Sophia on purpose.
"Sophia, don't even think about competing anymore!"
Sophia couldn't be bothered to respond to her.
Soon it was Sophia's turn. Sophia went in, greeted Noah casually, and then unveiled her gown.
Noah glanced at it and looked away, her face expressionless and her voice cold.
Just as the rumors suggested, Noah was indeed difficult to please, with extraordinarily high standards.
"Duplicate." She said flatly.
"What?" Sophia didn't understand.
Noah said impatiently, "Your gown is identical to the one someone else showed me earlier. Oh, right, she seems to be a designer from your Lancaster Group too, her name is..."
"Fiona."
"Right."
Noah lowered her head and continued to read through the script in her hand, ignoring everyone else.
Seeing Sophia still standing there, her assistant hurriedly signaled her to leave.
Sophia was calm and composed. She smiled and said confidently, "My gown is different from hers."
Noah looked up. "How is it different?"
"Try it on and you'll know, Noah."
Noah snorted coldly: "I don't have time."
"It will only take three minutes. If you aren't willing, I'm afraid you'll miss out on a gown that could make you shine."
Sophia spoke with such confidence that it piqued Noah's curiosity.
She looked at the gown, which was clearly identical to Fiona's, both in color and design.
Finally, Noah looked at Sophia.
She looked her up and down, then put down the script and went to the dressing room.
Sophia quickly followed.
Noah's pickiness was well-known in the circle. She was not only picky about gowns, but also about scripts and endorsements, and she had a sharp eye.
The scripts she chose to act in all had high ratings, and the endorsements she chose always had high sales.
She had the capital to be picky.
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