Chapter 209 Cousin
Gina did not hide anything from her as she said, "Shelley's Mr. Sacchetti's younger cousin."
Christina arched a brow and realized what was going on. "So she was the one who decided to work with me?"
"Yes. The higher-ups told me to arrange for her to work with you." Gina seemed exasperated, for she had not expected Shelley to switch roles so quickly. Christina seemed unfazed, however. "Time can't restrain those who can work well. You were just doing your job."
Meanwhile, chaos was unfolding outside the office.
Shelley had to have a powerful background to rise to such heights despite only being a simple assistant.
What the people were focused most about at the moment were Shelley's designs. As the people crowded around each other, they began chatting.
"Aren't her designs too much like Ms. Steele's?"
"They're even using the same common elements."
"Isn't Shelley just copying her?”
Just then, Shelley entered the office, her heels clacking behind her. She seemed haughty as she raked her gaze across the office as if she was searching for the perfect product in a luxury goods store. In the end, her gaze landed on Anna.
"You. Be my assistant."
Anna was livid. She was an old employee in the company and had a relatively high position among the designers. How could she possibly be an assistant's assistant?
"I have a handful of work I need to deal with recently. I'm afraid I won't be able to do the job well, Anna rejected icily.
To her surprise, Shelley was ruthless. "Stop acting all high and mighty. You used to be Ms. Steele's assistant too. Weren't you buttering her up all the time? You should appreciate the opportunity I'm presenting to you."
Shelley even deliberately dragged her last word in mockery.
Anna's face turned bright red, and she jumped to her feet. "What are you trying to say, Shelley? I'm willing to work for Ms. Steele because she's capable, but are you as capable as her to make others willing to follow you?"
She had decided to work for Christina because she wanted to find out the limits of Christina's capabilities. After that, it was because she felt that Christina was someone worth working for.
On the other hand, Shelley only wanted Anna to work for her to assert her dominance in the office. People who resorted to trickery were people Anna looked down upon.
Anna's responses made Shelley's expression change. "Just wait and see if I'm capable or not. The latest season's clothing is about to go on the market, and my designs will sell as well as Christina's. But if you dare to reject me now, I'm going to get Ms. Tanner to deliver you a warning letter!"
Right as Christina was about to intervene in the argument, Anna, who was livid, took off her work identification pass and threw it on her desk. "You don't need to hand me the letter. I quit!" Having said that, she stormed out.
Christina dashed after her. "Anna, you don't need to do this. I'll explain this to Ms. Tanner."
"It's fine, Christina. I'm glad to have a coworker as sweet as you. I've already been thinking about changing companies. This is just the last straw." A relief look crossed Anna's face. "I wanted to humiliate her and let her know that taking shortcuts will only make others look down on her. Take care of yourself and be careful now that I'm no longer in Radiant Corporation."
Anna felt that Christina was far too naive. She was always worried about others, and she always forgot to take care of herself.
Despite the reluctance, Christina could not find any reason to make Anna stay.
She could only give her blessings to Anna for her departure from Radiant Corporation.
After Anna's incident, Shelley picked another person as her assistant and left with her new assistant.
A week later, Shelley's designs entered the market.
However, her designs were far too similar to the designs Christina had released a few editions before, and that included the elements and style. The sales were not great, but it was not terrible.
Nevertheless, Radiant Corporation's staff knew what the situation was-Shelley had simply designed by combining Christina's previous designs.
How could that be considered an original design?
Still, no one dared to voice a word about it. They had to keep their comments inside them, for Shelley was Zachary's cousin.
Zachary was rather satisfied with the sales, however.
Recently, Radiant Corporation and Timeton Group had jointly organized the next season's dress exhibition, and Zachary had given Shelley the role of lead designer.
"Good job, Shelley. Keep up the good work," Zachary said with a smile and patted her on her shoulder.
Blinded by her slight achievement, Shelley began thinking that she was on par with Christina in terms of design.
"Don't worry, Zachary. Leave this to me. I'll come up with the design drawings in less than a week.”
When Christina saw Shelley's design on the official website, she was not at all threatened.
She thought Shelley was going to present something far more impressive, but as it turned out, Shelley could only copy her ideas.
Before getting off work, Christina received a call from Linda. “I'm going to be at a cocktail party. Change
into some nicer clothes and come with me."
"I just got off work. I'm not free."
Right as Christina was about to end the call, Linda hastily said, "If you're not free, I'm going to have to get Charlie to keep me company instead. I'm sure he has all the time in the world right now." This again?
"Send me the address, and I'll be there as soon as possible."
Having achieved her goal, Linda could not help but chuckle. "You better hurry."
Once the call ended, Christina received the address.
She could not wrap her head around why wives of wealthy men were so free to hold cocktail parties all the time.
Christina changed into a fitting black dress with a mermaid tail. It accentuated her figure so flawlessly that she almost looked like the messenger of the goddess of beauty. After that, Christina headed to the location.
The second she stepped inside, Linda came over to tow her inward.
Christina uttered, "Ms. Macall, didn't you just recover from your illness? Why don't I accompany you home to rest instead?"
"I've been stuck in the hospital for such a long time. If I stay there any longer, my health is going to deteriorate for good!" Linda protested.
Christina was led into the event hall. The second Linda spotted someone, she started introducing Christina to them. "This is my daughter-in-law. She's a famous designer."
The wealthy women could not help but shower Christina with praises.
After all, Christina was an elegant and pretty woman.
However, Christina felt ill at ease hearing her introduction. "Ms. Macall, I don't think your introduction is quite right."
Christina did not mind someone introducing her as their daughter-in-law to compete with other families' daughters-in-law, but Linda's introduction would create misunderstandings.
Furthermore, Lindá had been hostile toward her back in the hospital.
Christina had no idea why Linda now seemed like a completely different person.
What is she trying to do this time?
Linda patted her hand and said in a sweet tone, "What are you talking about? I'm Charlie's second wife, and in the past, my husband's children should all be mine. Therefore, you are my daughter-in-law." Linda seemed to make sense, but not at the same time.
Christina retracted her hand and stiffly rejected, "Ms. Macall, I still don't think this is a good idea. It's best
if I go back now."
"Why are you so stubborn? Julia doesn't want to acknowledge you as her daughter-in-law, but I do!"
Linda grabbed Christina, not wanting her to slip away. With the excuse of wanting to introduce Christina to the others, she pulled Christina over to her side.
"I've heard of people snatching other people's partners, but I've never heard of someone snatching another's daughter-in-law. Linda Macall, is there anything and anyone you have that you didn't acquire through underhanded means?"
The second Julia's stern voice echoed in the area, the atmosphere turned tense.