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CHAPTER 202
Drawing out her breath, Andromeda reached for the buzzing telephone and picked it up slowly.
She was least bothered by the caller. All she wished for was to know the reason so she could go back to her work.
The earlier she did, the better for her.
"Hello?"
"Good afternoon, Miss Kai," Fu Chu Hua's voice resonated from the other end of the phone.
Without waiting, she could guess the content of her message this time. "Good afternoon. Mr Liu wants me in his office?" Andromeda questioned quickly.
"Huh, yes, Miss Kai. He needs you to take look at a new designer."
Finding his reason suspicious, Andromeda inquired, "Why didn't he send her over?"
"He, Miss Kai," Fu Chu Hua corrected. "And he wants you over. He wants you here now, please."
"Okay." Although Andromeda had her suspicions at first, she resigned herself to whatever he needed her for.
Besides, this was her chance to question him and see if he would spill. If this doesn't work, she would shift her target to someone else.
And who better than Xu Fang to know what exactly happened?
"All right. I would be there soon. Thank you."
Placing the telephone, she ended the call before shutting down her laptop as she rose to her feet.
Within a few minutes, she arrived at the last floor. Upon setting her eyes on Fu Chu Hua, Andromeda dipped her head in a bit as she walked past her table and headed for the door.
Getting inside, Andromeda shut the door behind her as she continued walking till, she came to stand two feet away from the chairs directly opposite his.
"Good afternoon, sir. You called," she professionally greeted but still held on to her poise.
A pleasant slow smile worked his way across his face and into his eyes the second he landed his eyes on her.
Just like always, Andromeda looked particularly charming in her pencil lemon skirt and tucked-in white long-sleeved turtle neck blouse.
Her hair was left in a curly state in a side part while adorning a red lipstick and eyeshadow that made her look both domineering and dangerous.
"Miss Kai, please meet our newest fashion designer, Houyi Shawn. Mr Houyi, meet the creative director of Starlight Apparel."
Having introduced them, Liu Xueyi leaned back against his seat, crossed-legged and hands intertwined while his gaze rested on the two of them.
Taking the cue, Andromeda diverted her gaze from him to the side.
She had not been expecting anything special or too important but when her eyes met with Houyi Shawn's, she knew there was something different about him.
The air around him gave her a chilly vibe and the smirk that adorned his lips when he saw her sent chills running down her spine.
She did not know why but when she got some strange feeling about someone, she was usually on her toes because they proved suspicious.
The funny thing was that she could see that his status and the ambience about him did not hide it.
Also, she knew Liu Xueyi was testing her. This was a task he gave her. He wished for her to consider hiring him or not.
Although from the stern gaze he gave to her, she could tell he wanted her to hire him and keep a good watch on him.
Having those thoughts run through her mind somehow gave her calm. If they were on the same page and she read his expression, it was safe to accept this man and see what news he brought.
If he was from the enemy with an ulterior move, she would only know by having to remain close. And that she was going to do.
'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' Andromeda clarified.
However, that sweet chocolate gaze softened and a smile touched the corners of her mouth.
"Hello. I'm Andromeda Kai. Nice to meet you, Mr Houyi." She self-introduced once more.
"Pleasure, Miss Kai. I look forward to working with you." His smile was dry as he gazed up at her face. "That's if you consider me worth taking under your wing."
"Ah, I am not a judge. Talent speaks and then even without talent, I believe with the right heart, one can become better."
That pleased smile was on her lips again and her eyes held a glint of humour. She was sure he understood her as she planned not to mince her words anymore with him.
"Sure. Then, please judge my work."
"Alright." Turning her head to face Liu Xueyi, Andromeda asked. "May I?"
"Please, do not let me stop you." They held each other's smiles for a second before she diverted her attention once more.
"Can I have it?"
"Yes." He handed her his tablet for her to go through.
Andromeda wasted no time getting them from him and began accessing each.
She knew one would not readily bring plagiarized work to this company just to get in. The fact that his work was this good, made her know he did it.
The first reason was the fact that, if they weren't sure about the authenticity of his work, he would be asked to sketch then.
However, Andromeda was sure Liu Xueyi was playing bait for a reason.
Releasing a deep breath, she raised her eyes and nodded at him. "This is good. I am impressed."
"Really?" he heard him exclaim and placed a hand over his lips quickly. "I'm sorry. I am happy."
"I know the feeling," Andromeda said as her lips held a faint smile and her eyes twinkled, irrespective, it was hard to please her. "Mr Liu, he is good."
"If you say so," Liu Xueyi nodded at her. Not saying much, she shifted his attention to the young man before him and gave a slight nod.
"Okay, forward it via mail to my secretary and then you will hear from me."
"Thank you, sir. Thank you so much, Miss Kai."
Both Liu Xueyi and Andromeda smiled at him before Liu Xueyi showed him the door and asked to be excused.
Getting the cue, he did as he was told, leaving both parties alone.
A few seconds after he shut the door, Andromeda was the first to break the silence. Releasing a puff of air, she turned on her heels and faced Liu Xueyi squarely.
"He was sent," both of them chorused at once.
As if on cue, they let out a bit of laughter before nodding their heads at each other.
Like a teacher in charge of a pupil, Andromeda took the first turn on her right and rounded his desk till she was just a few steps away from his chair.
"Although his work is authentic, I could tell someone else's hands were on it."
Liu Xueyi's gaze narrowed once more. "Explain."
"He drew it, but looking at all his drawings and his sense of fashion, I could see the touch of another designer. If told to draw here today, he would easily pass the test because he would have already practised the designs beforehand with the other person."
"So, this proves my theory."
"Yes," Andromeda nodded. "Then again, he may not but we never can tell just yet."
"Okay, but I would stick with he was sent."
"Fine. The question now is, by who?"
"I do not know but you and I have our guesses. This is why I would hire him. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
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