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Novel Catalog
Chapter 16
Victor listened intently, his gaze fixed on Eden as she spoke. His eyes betrayed no emotion, but there was a hint of focus in them, something that was rare for him during these meetings. It was clear that he was taking her presentation seriously, and Eden could feel his scrutiny. Despite his cold demeanor, the way he watched her made her a bit self-conscious, though she did her best not to show it.
Her voice remained steady as she described the fabric choices, color palettes, and how each piece was designed to appeal to a specific demographic. She could sense that her audience was engaged—Lucian, Anson, and the other employees were taking notes, nodding, and asking occasional questions about the designs.
“These pieces are versatile,” Eden continued, “and with the right marketing strategy, I believe they can capture the attention of both young professionals and university students. The bold colors and cuts aim to reflect the spirit of freedom and individuality while remaining wearable for daily life.”
Victor’s sharp eyes were unwavering as she presented. He didn’t interrupt, but his presence was undeniable. Eden wasn’t sure if his silence meant approval or disinterest. She could only guess that he was contemplating the commercial potential of her designs.
The projector flicked through each design smoothly, showcasing the garments one by one. She was confident in her work, but as she reached the final slide, she caught a glimpse of Victor’s expression—there was something there. Was it interest, or was he simply indifferent?
As the presentation concluded, she paused and met his gaze briefly before looking around the room at the others. “Thank you for your time. I look forward to any feedback.”
Victor’s lips barely moved as he spoke, his voice as controlled as ever. “Your designs are well thought out,” he said, his tone flat but not dismissive. “I’d like to see the final samples in person. We’ll discuss the next steps after that.”
Eden nodded respectfully, but she couldn’t help the slight flush of relief that washed over her. His approval, even if indirect, felt like a victory.
The rest of the meeting continued without much more attention on her. Her segment was over, but she remained at the table, listening to the discussions about upcoming marketing strategies and other departments’ reports. As the meeting drew to a close, the tension in the room seemed to lift, but Eden still felt the weight of Victor’s presence behind her.
Once the meeting had adjourned, people began to gather their things and leave the room. Lucian approached her once more, offering a polite smile. “Good job, Director Bleu. I’ll be in touch if any follow-up is needed.”
Eden returned his smile and nodded, her thoughts already shifting toward her next task. She had made it through her first big meeting at Alwynn Group without any major hitches, but there was still so much more to prove.
Just as she was about to leave the meeting room, she felt someone’s gaze on her. Turning, she saw Victor standing by the door, his expression unreadable. He didn’t say anything, but the look in his eyes was enough to make her pause for a second.
“Mr. Alwynn,” Eden said, taking a small step toward him, “If you have any further feedback, I’d be happy to hear it.”
Victor’s lips twisted into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. “For now, just keep up the good work, Director Bleu. I’ll be watching.”
There was no malice in his words, but something about his statement sent a chill down Eden’s spine. She wasn’t sure what exactly it meant, but she couldn’t deny that the challenge was intriguing.
As she left the room, her mind was filled with a thousand thoughts. What had Victor truly meant by that? What was he expecting from her? She wasn’t about to let him intimidate her, but she knew that navigating this new role at Alwynn Group would be far from simple.
Eden’s first day had come to an end, and yet it felt like it was only just beginning.