Chapter 122 The Beginning of Competition
Seeing Luann being mercilessly attacked, Joshua's sinister eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
Casually, he picked up his teacup and took a sip, showing great interest as he watched the young woman.
He was curious to see how she would resolve this awkward situation.
Luann showed no signs of anger and instead nodded.
"You're right."
"But whether I am just a decoration, won't you know soon enough?"
Evan snorted disdainfully, rolling his eyes at the ceiling.
Know my foot!
Old Man Curtis had already made an agreement with them.
During the voting later, no matter what kind of nonsense Luann presented, they would all ignore it and vote with a six to four majority.
Winning by a margin of two votes wouldn't arouse suspicion from outsiders.
Facing Evan's outspoken hostility, Luann's eyebrows furrowed lightly.
She glanced at all the shareholders with her clear gaze and noticed that while they didn't speak, they all held similar attitudes and reactions to Evan.
"Enough, enough, everyone, let's keep quiet for a moment."
Mr. Curtis interrupted their conversation and motioned for Luann and Myron to take their seats.
Once they were seated, he spoke, "After discussing it at our board meeting, we have decided to base our votes on the design drawings presented on the spot and let the shareholders choose."
"For the sake of fairness, shareholders who hold shares in the Curtis family are not allowed to participate and are not present here."
"In the end, whoever receives the most votes will be appointed as the design director."
A hint of surprise flashed through Luann's lowered eyes.
Is that it?
Isn't it too obvious that they're rigging the contest?
As expected, Joshua immediately came forward to find a loophole.
"Grandfather..."
"Call me Chairman, don't show disrespect here, with whom are you trying to obtain favor?"
Mr. Curtis's tone turned unpleasant.
With his fists clenched and placed on the table, Joshua forcefully resisted.
"Chairman, I don't think this is fair."
"The design director's responsibilities are not only about designing, but also about negotiating project collaborations."
"If Luann can sit in this position based solely on her design skills, then any designer can do the same, right?"
Mr. Curtis's eagle-like gaze stared sharply at Joshua, as if he wanted to tear him apart.
In reality, Joshua had already faintly guessed that this competition was just a formality, but he still fought for it with all his might.
"I think we can have two rounds of design."
"The first round will be the design drawings, and the second round will be a contract presented by the board of directors, handed over to us
"The two of them were competing to see who could persuade the other."
"In business, it's a common occurrence for companies to fight for partnerships."
"Furthermore, the board of directors cannot represent everyone's perspective."
"Our design is aimed at the public, not just the ten of you."
"I think we can make the design public to all company employees and let them vote again."
"In that case, regardless of who wins in the end, everyone will be satisfied and feel more secure in their positions."
Mr. Curtis increasingly felt the disadvantage.
He could win over the shareholders, but he couldn't win over the entire company, right?
Myron felt a chill running through him, and though he looked calm, he exuded a strong, overwhelming pressure towards Joshua.
For a moment, Joshua felt an airless suffocation.
He was about to speak.
But the woman beside him calmly replied,
"Yes, I agree."
Everyone looked at her with dumbfounded expressions.
"Luann, you..."
Luann subtly squeezed Myron's hand under the table and whispered at a volume only they could hear, "Can you give me a little bit of confidence?"
Myron furrowed his brows.
He didn't want to reject Luann, but...Could she really handle this?
Facing Luann's unwavering gaze, Myron's worries vanished instantly.
Almost involuntarily, he said, "Alright."
Luann stood and walked towards Joshua.
"I agree to all your demands."
Joshua sneered and tilted his head slightly, his fine bangs obscuring the alternating brightness and darkness in his eyes.
A sudden surge of energy filled the air.
Mr. Curtis hastily intervened, "Alright, alright, you two prepare, we'll officially start in ten minutes."
Luann walked away.
Joshua immediately followed suit.
She had thought she would be afraid and back out in the final moments.
She entered the women's restroom.
When she came out to wash her hands, she caught sight of Joshua standing at the door, his face filled with a cold, mocking smile.
"Why don't you just be the vase at the Curtis family? With Myron taking care of you, money won't be an issue, right?"
"Why choose to suffer here of your own accord?"
Luann pulled out a tissue and casually wiped her damp hands.
She kept her gaze lowered and didn't look at him directly.
"I originally wanted you to lose with some dignity, but unfortunately, you don't want to give me that opportunity."
Her soft words were as fragile as wind, stirring laughter in Joshua.
"You sure have a big mouth."
"Well, I'll see how far you can go without their protection."
"Don't think I don't know that my grandfather has long favored your side!"
Joshua's eyes widened, his teeth bared, and his suppressed voice seemed about to burst into a furious curse.
Luann walked past him, casually stuffing the crumpled paper into his mouth.
"Don't worry, this path is a dead end for you, and there's no turning back."
Joshua "..."
He angrily muttered several times and forcefully spat the crumpled paper on the ground.
A pair of shiny leather shoes landed in front of him.
Above was a chilling voice filled with murderous intent.
"Don't you know that littering carries a fine?"
Joshua fiercely glared at Myron and snapped, "You don't need to worry about it! You're not even in the company anymore, yet you still linger around like a ghost!"
Myron stepped aside, revealing the old man behind him.
He filed a complaint.
"Grandfather, I can't handle it, so you handle it."
Mr. Curtis decisively said, "Deduct his salary and allowance for this month!"
Joshua "???"
Frustrated, he returned to the meeting room.
Two tables were placed in the middle, about five meters apart, with several sheets of white paper and pens on top.
Joshua's first action was to rush to Luann's table and carefully inspect each page of paper, afraid that something messy might have been mixed in.
Luann propped her hand on the table and casually said, "If you're not at ease, we can switch seats."
"No need! I feel disgusted sitting on the chair you, a woman, sat on!"
After spitting out those harsh words, Joshua returned to his seat.
Meanwhile, Mr. Curtis shook the dozens of crumpled papers in his hand and threw them on the table, randomly picking one up.
"The topic is wedding dress design."
"So now, let the competition begin!"
