Chapter 33
To everyone else, it looked like Ophelia had deliberately pulled some strings to get Brock's attention.
For the rest of the shoot, Cameron barely gave Ophelia any screen time, and even Sharon next to her was pretty much invisible. The second and third episodes were one-on-one knockout rounds, and the design theme was "prints". It was a 10- to-7 elimination round, judged by professionals. The five losing designers would be subject to a public vote. The bottom three would be eliminated.
At the end of the episode, each contestant drew lots to determine their opponent, but the results weren't revealed until the next episode. The director did this to wait for audience feedback after the episode had aired, planning to pit the most controversial contestants or celebrities against each other for more drama.
After the shoot wrapped, Ophelia left the studio. When she got into the elevator, she happened to run into Sharon. Sharon stepped aside to give her room, and the doors closed, leaving just the two of them inside.
Sharon looked even more stunning in person than in the movie trailer Ophelia had seen. Her fox-like eyes gave off a sultry vibe. It wasn't the kind of face that the entertainment industry favored, and despite Sharon's scandal-free career, her roles as scheming villains always drew criticism. Seeing her in person today, Ophelia understood why she hadn't remembered this show from her last life.
"By the way, thanks for today. I really appreciate you agreeing to team up with me," Ophelia said, and she was genuinely grateful. She knew that as an unknown designer, it wouldn't have taken much for the director to simply replace her if no one had wanted to partner with her.
"It's no biggie. No one else wanted to team up with me either," Sharon replied, her tone carrying a sort of resigned indifference. She had the face of someone who always seemed to be plotting, but her words were blunt and straightforward The elevator fell into a brief silence. It wasn't until Ophelia glanced up that she realized neither of them had pressed a floor button, and the elevator hadn't moved at all. She quickly pressed the button for the first floor.
Sharon awkwardly pressed her lips together. Trying to break the tension, she casually asked, "So, you run your own studio?
"Yeah, something like that," Ophelia replied. They exchanged a few words, and though Ophelia wasn't usually one to get involved in other people's business, she gave Sharon a bit of a heads-up. "You might run into some financial trouble soon. I'd suggest you take a good look at your accounts, especially your taxes." She almost came right out and told Sharon someone was setting her up.
Sharon was stunned for a moment. Ophelia thought Sharon might dismiss her warning as nonsense, but to her surprise, Sharon seemed intrigued and immediately took it seriously. "Wait, are you some kind of fortune teller? A fortune teller once told me I'd face a disaster this year, but if a savior stepped in, I'd be able to avoid it. Could you be my savior?"
Ophelia blinked, slightly caught off guard. Sharon looked so glamorous and aloof, yet she spoke with this oddly naive, almost ditzy vibe. 'She must've traded two-thirds of her brainpower for that killer face, Ophelia thought.
"Maybe," Ophelia replied. "Just make sure you check everything thoroughly and handle it yourself. Don't trust the people around you."
They stepped out of the elevator together, and Sharon got into her car. Ophelia watched as the vehicle drove off into the distance. Hopefully, that warning sticks, she thought. If Sharon's movie could crush Emily's, that would be a nice bonus.
"Ms. Spencer, please wait." As Ophelia was about to call for a cab a young man who looked like an assistant hurried down the steps and stopped her. "Ms. Spencer, Mr. Decker would like to invite you to his studio for a chat."
Tve got no time," she responded in an aloof tone, already trying to walk around him.
But the assistant was quick to follow her and insisted, "Mr. Decker said... you'll make time. This way, please." There was a
sharpness in his eyes, but he remained respectful as he opened the car door for her.
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Ophelia hesitated for a couple of seconds before getting in. She did have a few questions for Brock anyway. The assistant got into the driver's seat, and after about half an hour, they arrived at a sleek office building in the city center. The design studio of Fashion Ladies took up an entire floor, which was impressively grand.
"Ms. Spencer, please wait in Mr. Decker's office for a moment," the assistant said while pouring her a cup of coffee.
Ophelia looked around the spacious and bright office. She saw a few mannequins draped in various dresses and formal wear lining the walls.
Not long after, Brock pushed the door open with a casual smile and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Ophelia. I had some things to handle."NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.
"What do you want to discuss?" Ophelia cut straight to the point. She wasn't one for small talk, especially not with someone like him.
"You haven't changed since you were a kid-always so direct," Brock replied with a smile. He didn't seem tense or surprised anymore, unlike their earlier encounter at the studio.
Brock said in a serious tone, "You've seen how things are, right? I've got a lot of influence with the director. If you want to make a nante for yourself, all it takes is a word from me. I really do want to help you."
"Ophelia gave him a half-smile and watched his seemingly sincere face.
And then?" she asked, her tone light."
"Then, after the competition ends, I can arrange it for you, whether you want to go to Dellanex University or study abroad. I guarantee that when you come back, I'll make sure you have a job as decent as mine. I'm genuinely looking out for you." As he spoke, Brock slid closer and reached out to take her hand, but Ŏphelia swiftly pulled away.
Listening to his well-rehearsed lines, Ophelia suddenly burst into laughter. She already had a naturally sweet look, and when she laughed like this, Brock immediately relaxed.
"Since you've laid it out like that, I'd be ungrateful not to agree, huh?" Ophelia replied.
'Absolutely, Brock thought, though he kept that genuine smile on his face. This was the same act he'd used to fool her over and over in her last life.
"I have just one request," Ophelia said, her voice steady.
"What is it? I'll do my best to fulfill it for you."
"Give me back my grandmother's sketchbook."
The smile on Brock's face froze instantly and he asked, "What sketchbook? I have no idea what you're talking about." Ophelia wasn't surprised by his reaction at all. In her last life, after her identity as the designer of La Reverie was revealed, Miles had tried to exploit her to boost Fashion Ladies. That was when she crossed paths with Brock again.
Brock acted like he was doing everything to help her, but in reality, he was using her to secure his position as chief designer. It was only by chance that she discovered the sketchbook her grandmother had left her in his possession. Even with undeniable proof back then, he still was still as calm as he was now, lying through his teeth.
Ophelia said, "I gave up my place at the Royal College of Design to thank you for getting my grandmother to the hospital in nime and saving her life. I never intended to go, so you don't need to worry about me holding that over you.
"But this sketchbook is the only thing my grandmother left me. All your success these past years came from that sketchbook. didn't it? You've gotten everything you wanted from it. Give it back now, and you won't lose a thing" 14:00 Sun, Nov 10 B
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