Chapter 296: Definitely Not
After Michael’s departure, Wendy’s daily life reverted to what it used to be.
With one exception being that Michael was now monitoring her more closely than ever.
In the past, they used to do just audio calls but now, Michael would insist on her switching to video mode.
He needed the assurance that she was at home and not still working in the office.
Naturally, Wendy willingly complied with his demands.
Today was Wendy’s 81st day at HG.
She had just completed the final draft and called for a meeting immediately.
She had been painstakingly ticking off each day as it passed, wanting nothing more than to be able to return to Lake City as soon as possible and reunite with her husband and her children.
And now, finally, the day that she had been so looking forward to, was in sight.
Once the final draft copy was approved, it would no longer be necessary for her to remain at HG.
She could return to Lake City and oversee the project remotely.
At that thought, Wendy’s mood lifted considerably.
The draft finalization meeting was attended by the entire design team as well as Timothy and Todd.
Because this could well be Wendy’s last major meeting at HG.
Being designers themselves, they were eager to see what surprises Wendy had in store for them this time.
Smiling elegantly, Wendy stepped confidently on stage and presented the final copy on the screen behind her.
Everyone in the conference room unanimously agreed that the copy was perfect, another creation by Wendy.
Even Timothy and Todd could find no fault with it.
Timothy nodded, smiling with satisfaction.
After Wendy had finished talking them through the design concept, and selling points of the product range, everyone stood up and applauded.
Smiling, Wendy acknowledged their applause with a slight nod.
"Corinne, you’re putting your senior, me, to shame here," Todd said teasingly.
"Oh, stop it. Not you too," Wendy smiled, looking a tad awkward. Tucking a few stray strands of hair behind her ears, she continued, "And look who’s talking. You have your own design company while I’m still a salaried employee."
"Being the boss is not an indication of success," Todd responded. Sighing, he continued, "Because I’m the boss, I spend more time managing the business and have not been able to just design without a care in the world."
"Then you should consider coming back to HG," Timothy smiled and patted Todd on the shoulder. "Come back, and I promise to give you all the freedom you want as before."
"Hey, you took the words right out of my mouth," Todd burst out laughing. "I was actually planning to poach Wendy."
"Now, now, that was uncalled for," Timothy’s smile disappeared instantly. But, of course, he was only pretending to be upset. He continued, "Throughout my career, I have painstakingly cultivated only two students, both of whom have graduated with flying colors.
"I had already let one of them go to strike out on his own. But now, you’re planning to poach my remaining student too?"
"Hahaha," Todd had also been just kidding around with him.
The atmosphere in the room was decidedly agreeable.
However, Wendy was deep in thought as she gazed at her design team in the room.
Despite having lost most of her memory, she had built up a good rapport with this team over the past two and a bit months.
And the thought of having to leave them in a few days left her feeling a tad sad.
She stood facing the people in the room and gave them a deep bow.
In that instant, the raucous bantering in the room subsided, replaced by a somber silence.
Truth be told, Wendy did not want to be a wet blanket and dampen the happy mood in the room.
But she was indeed going to leave them soon, so it was just a matter of time before their mood would be dampened anyway.
This sudden bow from Wendy had caught everyone by surprise as the atmosphere became solemn.
There was not a sound from anyone in the packed conference room, including Timothy and Todd.
Taking a long, deep breath, Wendy looked sad as she spoke, "I am deeply sorry to have to tell you this now.
"As you are all aware, I had come back to HG solely to oversee this project.
"I’ve been here for more than two months now, and, as planned, I have completed the design drafts for the entire series.
"So, I am planning to return to Lake City in the next few days.
"Thank you so much for working the excessively long hours with me, putting in so much overtime together with me.
"But, as the saying goes, all good things come to an end."
At that point, Wendy could no longer hold back her emotion and choked.
She took a deep breath before continuing, "Although I will no longer remain at HG, I will still be overseeing the remaining work on this project.
"Of course, I expect to come back for visits, so please do not be sad because we would still have plenty of opportunities to meet up in the future.
"It has been a pleasure working with you and, if the opportunity arises, I hope to be able to lead you in another project.
"I will select someone to work with me and see this project through to the launch.
"Because, going forward, I will be permanently based out of Lake City and, therefore, cannot follow through on a real-time basis, on-site.
"Also, there is a time difference between Lake City and Rheinsville City.
"That is why this new project lead must be prepared to travel for business and work in a different time zone.
"Please let me know if you feel that you are up for this challenge.
"Alternatively, you could contact me later if you’re not comfortable doing so now.
"Thank you for your support and company during these past two months."
With that said, Wendy once again bowed deeply to her audience.
All her team members were saddened by her news.
There were even some among the female designers who were getting teary-eyed.
"Miss Swift, are you really leaving HG?"
"Well, I’m not really leaving HG because I will be in constant contact with you guys for the follow-up tasks.
"The difference is that I will not be based here for prolonged periods. Going forward, please feel free to contact me about issues with the work or designing," Wendy responded with a smile, feeling teary herself.
"Miss Swift, we’re really sad to see you go." Someone in the group had started to cry.
"Well, I am sad to part with you too," Wendy responded. In fact, she was quite attached to her team and genuinely sad to be leaving them.
Right from the start of the project, Wendy had found this team to be very united and easy to work with.
It was, probably, because they had worked with her before.
But had lost touch with her since she left for Lake City.
And, although Wendy had lost her memory, her team members still remembered her.
That was why, right from the start, Wendy had found herself working harmoniously with them.
If the team had not been so united with the right attitude, Wendy could not have completed the design for the entire first series within such a short time.
And she deeply appreciated their dedication in working all hours with her without complaining.
"Miss Swift, can you take me in as your student, please?" One of the female designers plucked up the courage and pleaded with her.
With hope written all over her face, she continued, "I really worship you, my idol.
You are, without a doubt, the most outstanding female designer. You are my role model.
"I had been meaning to tell you for so long, but I just did not dare to do so. Because I felt that it would be beneath you to take me on as a student. But now, today, I can no longer hold back.
"However, you could... could, of course, refuse to take me on as I realize that I don’t quite make the cut," the designer rambled on, overcome by her emotions.
Since one of them had started the trend, the entire design team began to clamor around Wendy, asking to be taken under her tutelage.
"Miss Swift, I have been idolizing you for so long. Can you please let me train under you?"
"Miss Swift, I want to train under you."
"Miss Swift... " Both Timothy and Todd were systematically nudged out of the way by the team of designers.
They looked at each other helplessly.
Timothy said laughingly, "I have only you two as my students. Why has no one approached me to train them, I wonder?"
"You are too humble, Timothy. I’m sure many would love to train under you, people whose potential you have not really taken into consideration."
"If I had been looking for potential talent, how did you two end up being my students?"
"Well said. I am ever so grateful that you decided to be my mentor," Todd smiled and bowed respectfully to Timothy, lightening up the mood immediately.
Straightening up, Todd sighed, "Alas, I’m the one who’s not been approached at all."
Truth be told, many people had approached Todd, wanting to train under him.
However, he had declined because he had neither the time nor the energy to do so.
On her part, Wendy also had neither the time nor the energy.
The only reason she had been working so hard was so that she could return to Lake City as soon as possible.
If she were to be a mentor, she’d have to spend time cultivating them.
And that would adversely impact her original plan to return to Lake City as soon as possible.
Looking a little awkward at the sudden attention showered on her, she nodded to her team.
Indeed, she was truly grateful for their validation of her capability.
Nonetheless, having to openly reject someone was not an easy thing to do.
Moreover, there were so many people here asking for her mentorship. She could not possibly take them all in even if she had intended to take in some students.
"My apologies. Presently, I have no intention of taking anyone under my tutelage," she informed the crowd.
Looking at Timothy and Todd, who had been nudged into a far corner, she said, "Timothy and Todd are far better than me in this field. Since they live permanently in Rheinsville City, you should consider asking them instead."
Naturally, the pre-requisite would be if they agree to offer mentorship.
The group of designers turned towards Timothy and Todd.
They knew very well that these two had exceptionally high standards when it came to accepting students.
Besides, they preferred Wendy to either of them.
After all, they had been working together with her for a long time now.
And they were totally in awe of Wendy’s competence in designing and enthralled by her charm.
And, since they had just approached Wendy, they did not feel that it was appropriate for them to approach someone else so quickly.
And that was why no one approached either Timothy or Todd.
At that moment, both Timothy and Todd went from smiling to feeling dejected.
So, these people who had been rejected by Wendy would not even approach either of them for tutelage?
Timothy and Todd exchanged looks of hurt.
"Why don’t you take me with you to Lake City?" asked the designer who had initiated this frenzied discussion.
Once again, plucking up her courage, she rambled on, "Rest assured that I will not be any trouble. All I want is to be able to work by your side. I have learned a lot from you just by being by your side these past two months.
"I’d be content... just to be your personal assistant. That’s all I ask."
That triggered all the other designers to start talking about wanting to follow Wendy to Lake City.
At that, Timothy could not hold back any longer.
He stepped forward and loudly said, "Nope, no way! If all of you were to go to Lake City with Wendy, the design department at HG would empty out. That is a definite no!"
Hearing Timothy’s adamant statement, Wendy laughed and said jokingly, "See? It’s not that I am unwilling to take you with me."
With heads hung low, the team of designers looked disappointed at Wendy’s comment.
Even though they had expected as much.
After all, Wendy was a world-class designer who would, of course, not take in students on a whim. Neither would she poach people from HG.
Besides, it was definitely not possible for everyone to leave with her.
