So this had been Camille's plan from the start—set her up to look incompetent and unfit for the job, hoping Vladimir would lash out at her—or worse, fire her.
Hazel could still recall the day Camille gave her a jewelry design on a sheet of paper, only to tell her to throw it away, that it meant nothing.
With a frown etched on her face, Hazel snatched her arm from Camille's grip, slowly.
"I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't remember anything like that—you never told me... " Hazel said, her voice steady and firm.
Camille's eyes briefly darkened before she turned to Vladimir, masking it with a bright smile.
"I told her, but maybe she forgot. I'm terribly sorry on her behalf, Mr. Vladimir. Please don't be too hard on her... or fire her," She said, her voice laced with forced concern.
"It's okay," Vladimir said lazily, making Camille's smile falter.
Having worked in Vladimir's company for a long time, she knew how much he despised incompetence and delays. So why didn't he fire Hazel or at least scold her... ?
"Let me see your sketch" Vladimir said seriously. Snapping out of her thoughts, Camille quickly extended her project to him.
Vladimir placed it on a device, and the image instantly reflected on the large TV screen.
"Mrs Morgan, what do you think about this design? " Vladimir asked seriously.
The employees exchanged startled looks, unable to believe that Vladimir, of all people had lowered himself to request the opinion of a mere employee, and worse, on Camille's design.
Camille remained rooted on her spot, her fist tightly clenched.
"I think it's... cool sir... " Replied Hazel slightly surprised.
"Hazel, you don't talk to the CEO that way! Have some— "
"Miss Sinclair!" Vladimir's cold, commanding voice stopped her mid sentence.
Biting her lip, Camille angrily bowed her head.
"Miss Morgan, I'd like your opinion on this design. Is it striking enough? " Vladimir asked, his steady gaze lingering on her face.
Hazel's gaze lingered on the large TV screen before flickering toward Vladimir.
"The design is... okay, " Hazel began slowly, then stopped.
"But it lacks impact. It's too plain and simple, something only older women would be drawn to."
Camille, feeling as though Hazel was trying to get back at her—gritted her teeth, fury simmering within her. Not realizing Hazel had only spoken the truth.
"Are you saying I sketched a worthless design?! That I'm dumb?! Do you even know what I went through to create it? I worked day and night on that piece!" Camille fired angrily.
"I never said your design is worthless Miss Sinclair. I only pointed out that it's too plain, that it lacks life— "
"Then how should it be, huh? You want it to glitter like a diamond? Not everyone likes flashy things!" Camille cut Hazel off harshly.
"It shouldn't be too flashy, but it must be appealing—charming enough to attract both the young and the old," Hazel remarked calmly. A small smile tugging at her lips as she caught Camille's furious expression. She was clearly enjoying it.
"Charming? Appealing? That's all you think this is about? Sir Kael made it clear—we need more than beauty, we need something unforgettable, we're aiming for creativity not just looks!" Camille shot back sharply.
"It sounds as if you only care about our company winning. Of course we're aiming for something creative and unforgettable—but without even a touch of beauty, how would it stand out from the rest? How can it be creative and unforgettable if there's nothing to give it life, no spark of emotion behind it?
If you're talking about creativity, then what exactly is our main goal in this competition? is it simply to win, or to outshine every other company? What we should be creating is a design that blends flawless craftsmanship with a story. Jewelry that people don't just wear, but treasure. we're not here to follow trends—we're here to set them." Hazel shot back coldly, and the room fell into stunned silence. Even Vladimir, unshaken by most things, looked surprised.
Kael who stood beside Vladimir smiled.
Vladimir's lips curved into a faint smile, amusement flickering in his eyes.
What a bold little thing, he thought.
At first glance, she looked naive, fragile—almost foolish. But behind that innocence mask hid a woman who was both fearless and shrewd.
Camille's body shook with anger, her words caught in her throat.
Humiliation burned through her veins—Hazel had embarrassed her, torn her pride to shreds. She wanted nothing more than to strangle her on the spot.
"You have no right to speak on this project. What could you possibly know? You're nothing but a mere college student, while I'm a graduate who's been with this company for years," Camille spat through clenched teeth.
Kael's frown deepened at Camille's harsh statement. He took a step forward, ready to speak, but Vladimir's cold, commanding glare stopped him instantly.
"I wouldn't be talking if the CEO hadn't asked for my opinion instead of yours. And yes—i may be just a mere college girl but that doesn't disqualify me from pointing out my views" Hazel stated plainly.
"You—! "
"That's enough!" Vladimir cut Camille off seriously, then stood up as he took slow, deliberate strides towards Hazel, his cold gaze pinning her in place.
Hazel felt her breath hitched as he stood in front of her, her gaze darting around nervously.
"So... what are you trying to say, Hazel?" Vladimir asked softly. Her name rolling off his lips with unexpected familiarity.
Her thoughts drifted back to her dreams, and with him standing before her now, heat rushed through her body. Just his presence alone was enough to ignite her imagination.
"I... I think maybe Miss Sinclair should try working on the design again," Hazel said nervously, her voice low.
Vladimir nodded.
"You heard that, Miss Sinclair. Hazel, a mere college student, was clever enough to point out the flaws in your design. Fix it—all of you. Next meeting, I will only approve one sketch from the rest. Your bonuses for this month, however, remains intact. " Vladimir stated coldly.
"Everyone out... except miss Morgan," Vladimir added lazily, his tone casual yet commanding. The employees froze, then quickly scrambled out of the meeting room—each casting Hazel a stunned glance. Camille trailed behind them, her steps unsteady and her face drained of color. Her thoughts consumed with fury and humiliation.
"Why did you ask me to wait behind... sir?" Hazel asked slowly as she took a step back.
"What's wrong with your eyes? Didn't you sleep last night... ? " Vladimir asked softly.
"I did sleep. Nothing happened." Hazel replied quickly.
Closing the distance between them, Hazel panicked as she tried to step back but Vladimir caught her by the waist, pulling her firmly against him.
"Stop—Stop, please... " Hazel started, but her voice broke.
Inside, she whispered a truth only she could hear—Stop appearing in my dreams....
"What? You don't want my touch? Or is it that another man kept you busy all night—that's why your eyes look like that? " Vladimir taunted darkly.
Hazel stared at him surprised.
"I... I wasn't with any man. " She muttered softly.
"Then tell me... What kept you awake the whole night?" Vladimir murmured, his voice low as he buried his face against her neck.
"Stu—Studying... I was studying," Hazel whispered, her voice trembling. The warmth of his breath on her skin, his arms caging her in, made her feel like her knees would give way at any moment.
Her heartbeat betrayed her, and Vladimir instantly knew the truth—she was lying.
Vladimir slowly pulled away, his gaze dark and brooding.
"You can leave" Vladimir said coldly.
Hazel quickly bowed her head then bolted out of the room.
Vladimir's dark gaze lingered on the closed door, his expression unreasonable before he turned away, striding to the sleek armchair and sinking lazily into it.
"Kael..." Vladimir called coldly with his eyes closed.
"Yes boss" Kael replied, emerging from the shadows.
"Find out who Hazel lives with... " Vladimir ordered lazily, his tone cold and dangerous.