Chapter 210 Pretense
Watching Grace leave, Joshua quietly moved towards the staircase, wary of getting on Myron Curtis's bad side. But just as his hand touched the fence, Myron Curtis spoke up icily. "How's work going for you?"
"Well, extremely well."
In the past, he had boasted in front of Myron Curtis because he was the design director, and Curtis was no longer working at the company. Having been demoted and working under his wife, he had already offended Luann Weaver. Provoking Myron Curtis's ire would only make his life even more miserable. Myron Curtis responded coolly, “If Luann Weaver gives you a hard time, let me know.”
A wry twitch flickered across Joshua’s lips. “What good would telling you to do?”
Myron Curtis’s gaze lifted gently to meet his. “I can take care of Luann Weaver for you.”
A shiver ran through Joshua. Was Myron Curtis serious or bluffing? “Luann Weaver is your wife. Would you side with me over her?”
Myron's expression remained unchanged, dead serious. “Whatever's happened between us, it can't erase the fact that we're brothers.”
“Besides, I haven’t known Luann for that long, have I?”
Joshua’s brow furrowed slightly. Perhaps Myron had a point. After all, he was part of the Curtis family.
By comparison, Luann Weaver was an outsider. “It's nothing major. Luann just enjoys messing with me,” Joshua confessed.
“She had me working in a store on the brink of closure, selling clothes, and today, she sent me to the factory to check a shipment of materials. I didn't know anything; I had to check each item individually, based on appearance.”
“After a whole day, my eyes were about to cross!”
“Isn't she taking it too far?”
Listening to his complaints, Myron said darkly, “Didn't you just say you were doing well at the company?”
At this ominously stated observation, Joshua’s guard shot up. “Isn't it your duty, as an assistant, to follow your director’s orders?”
“It seems you still hold a grudge against Luann. You stay quiet, but you're keeping score inside.”
“What do you think we should do, Grandpa?” Joshua turned to their grandfather, who had been silently enjoying the drama.
Caught off guard by the mention of his name, Vito Curtis slowly shifted his cane and calmly responded to Joshua’s distraught expression. “Joshua, Luann means well for you; don’t be ungrateful.”
“Since Luann sent you to the factory to check materials, spend the next week there.”
“Myron Curtis, are you messing with me?!” Joshua suddenly realized that Myron’s previous words were just to get a rise out of him.
Myron Curtis let a smirk cross his face.
Without looking back, he stormed up the stairs, fuming, “Birds of a feather flock together! They’re both out to get me!”
Only the occasional sound of sipping water was heard in the calm break room. Juliet Weaver held a paper cup, sitting uneasily on the sofa. Restlessness clawed at her from the inside as she awaited an unknown outcome. Time lost its grasp, stretching until the door creaked open, admitting a woman of enviable Grace and shine.
She held her chin aloft, her entire demeanor radiating an inborn loftiness and self-assurance. Catching a glimpse of Juliet Weaver, the corners of her eyes danced with subtle mockery.
"Hello, Grace! My name’s Juliet Weaver!"
Juliet sprang to her feet, leaning forward in a respectful bow, her hand extended in eager anticipation. Nonetheless, Grace did not meet her handshake. Instead, she strolled over to the couch and seated herself leisurely, never once acknowledging Juliet's presence.
"Where's James?" she asked her assistant, ignoring Juliet.
"He'll be here shortly, in a meeting plotting out our talent strategy for the latter half of the year," the assistant reported.
Juliet, feeling uncomfortably out of her element, straightened up and hurried to pour Grace a cup of hot water, her voice cordial yet strained. "I truly appreciate you making the trip out here, Grace. Please, have some water!"
Grace tilted her head, looking at Juliet with derision. The assistant, seizing the moment, spoke up with a biting edge. "Aren't you aware that Grace only drinks water that costs a thousand dollars a bottle? How dare you serve such inferior swill to Grace?"
With a flick of the wrist, the assistant toppled the disposable cup, drenching Juliet. She stumbled backward, lips taut around her lower lip, eyes misting over as she muttered a hurried apology.
Though she appeared soft and demure, inside, she was fuming. How could she have possibly known what water Grace preferred? Was everyone on the planet expected to know this woman's tastes? She let out an internal sigh of resignation.
With a casual air, Grace finally spoke, causing the assistant’s bravado to melt away, returning to stand behind Grace.
A moment later, James entered the room, instantly grasping the situation at a glance. He casually handed a few tissues to Juliet without much sympathy. After all, despite Juliet's promise, Grace of the Curtis family carried more weight in his eyes.
"Here, have some water," James said, passing an exquisitely packaged bottle to Grace, who accepted it with a gracious smile.
"Thank you, James."
James positioned himself between the two women with a document in hand, which he casually dusted off on the table.
"I'm not one for beating around the bush," he declared bluntly. "I'm planning on promoting Juliet Weaver."
"But you know, Grace, Juliet Weaver's reputation isn't stellar. It'll be tough for her to make a comeback."
"So, I'm thinking of having her ride your coattails on the red carpet."
Grace felt displeased, but her face betrayed no sign of discontent. Instead, she offered a faint smile.
"James, there must be a good reason for your decision."
"But it won't affect my reputation, right?"
"Relax," James reassured her while handing her a contract, "To make it up to you, I've secured a shoot with your favorite magazine. You'll be on the cover next week."
Methylene Blue was a top-tier magazine, a high flyer in the industry.
Whenever a new issue hit the stands, the first batch would sell out within an hour, leaving people eagerly waiting for restocks.
Only A-list stars made it to their cover.
Aside from their own selected models, they had invited no more than a handful of celebrities to Grace the cover over the years.
It was evident that working with Methylene Blue was a prestigious affair.
Grace's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Thank you, James."
James patted her shoulder. "Make the most of this opportunity. Methylene Blue has a readership that spans all age groups; it's sure to be a huge boost for you."
