Chapter 354: One Of HG Enterprise’s Directors
Wendy had always been serious and outstanding when she was at work. Timothy was sitting in the meeting room, his face filled with admiration when he saw Wendy holding the meeting with confidence.
The same thought kept coming to his mind, "Why couldn’t she be my daughter?" His biological daughter, Jill, had no interest in design at all. He had worked so hard for his entire life. It would be such a pity if he could not pass down his legacy. After thinking of it, Timothy shook his head helplessly.
Wendy noticed Timothy’s expression and asked, "Mr. Woods, are you having different thoughts on the design?"
"What?" Timothy felt embarrassed when Wendy called him to ask for his opinion when his mind drifted. He looked exactly like a student whose mind had drifted away while the teacher was calling his name. Obviously, he was Wendy’s mentor so the situation was very interesting.
"Nothing. Everything is fine," Timothy laughed out loud.
"Please do not hesitate to state your opinion directly. I’m fine with it," Wendy emphasized as she was afraid the Timothy was hesitating in voicing his thoughts in front of others.
"Frankly speaking, I was just wondering why couldn’t you be my daughter," Timothy decided to say it straightforwardly. He felt that it really was such a shame. "If you were my daughter, I would have no regrets in my life anymore."
Everyone in the design department chuckled upon hearing what Timothy said. One of them boldly said, "Mr. Woods, isn’t Ms. Swift your daughter?"
"A god-daughter can be considered a daughter, too."
"As the saying goes, a tutor for a day is a father for a lifetime. Therefore, you may consider her as your daughter too."
The atmosphere in the meeting turned so lively all of a sudden. Timothy laughed out loud as he said, "That’s true!"
Finally, the meeting ended smoothly. Timothy and Wendy left the meeting room after chatting for a while.
After Timothy returned to his office, he gave Christian a call. He told him about the progression of the project.
The next day, Timothy received a call from Christian. "Schedule the production of the second series clothing in advance," Christian said over the phone.
"But, there are only three designs so far-"
Before Timothy could finish his words, Christian interrupted, "Just do as I say."
Timothy frowned. He was very confused at that moment. However, since Christian had already made up his mind, he knew that he must have some reason behind it.
After he hung up the call, he went straight to Wendy’s office. Even though he had seen the design drawings countless times, he still smiled and nodded his head whenever he went through it.
"By the way, Corrine. I have something to tell you," said Timothy, "Since we have decided on these three designs, you may proceed to communicate with the manufacturer for production."
"According to the regular protocol, we need to have five designs before we proceed to the production phase. Am I right?" Wendy asked with a frown. "Aren’t three designs too few for production?"
"This standard applies to other people. For you, three designs are more than enough for us to release to the market," said Timothy, "I have checked it out. Some of the branded clothing even uses the pre-order method before the item is released to the market. Although our brand is categorized as mid to high-end clothing, you are a prominent person all over the world. I strongly believe that these three designs could be released to the market one month in advance."
Wendy looked into Timothy’s eyes. She was trying to figure out what was on his mind. She believed that it was not normal for Timothy to ask her to release the clothing to the market in advance with such strange timing.
Suddenly, Wendy thought of the bidding exercise Yonina mentioned last night. The bidding would start in less than one month. Based on the initial plan, the second series of clothing would only be sent for production next month. If that was the case, the profits could only be obtained in another month. So it seemed to imply that he was instructing her to proceed with the production to prepare the funds for the bidding exercise in advance.
All of a sudden, she seemed to think of something. Wendy looked at Timothy and said purposely, "Mr. Woods, you are referring to the high-end clothing, right? It is absolutely different from our mid to high-end clothing demands in the market. Most of the hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars worth of clothing are limited edition and fully customized during the pre-order period. However, that’s not guaranteed for our brand. If we attempt to do this and we fail, we might run into some problems."
"What kind of problems?" Timothy tried to persuade Wendy. "We have been working with the same few manufacturing companies all along. With your superb designs and these trustworthy manufacturing companies, there should not be a problem with it. Don’t you have confidence in yourself?"
"It is not a matter of confidence," Wendy pursed her lips as she said a bit aggrieved. "I must be responsible to my customers. We might encounter unforeseen circumstances if we proceed to the production phase in advance."
Timothy patted Wendy’s shoulders and said, "Don’t worry. I would not let you take the risk if I didn’t think you would succeed."
"Well..." Wendy could not understand at all. Her face showed worry and confusion as she spoke. "Mr. Woods, is the company encountering any unexpected situation now?"
"No, of course not. The company is absolutely fine. Nothing is happening to the company now," said Timothy, "You are the backbone of the company. The company will be fine if you are fine."
"Then, why do we need to proceed to the production phase in advance?" asked Wendy, "If we consider the regular procedures, it is only time for us to chose the manufacturing companies. If we rushed to the production phase now, we could not counter-check the prototype before sending it for mass production. I am afraid that no matter what, it is not a good idea for HG Enterprise. Even I can understand the risk we might be facing if we do so."
Wendy saw Timothy’s face darkened instantly, so she quickly said, "Mr. Woods, I meant no harm. I just wanted to know the truth. No matter what, I am a shareholder of the company now. If the company really encounters some difficulties, I would like you to be frank with me."
"I have already told you that nothing is happening," Timothy said, his expression changing a little. "Don’t you trust me?"
In fact, Wendy did not have to question Timothy on this. In order not to make Timothy feel suspicious, she had to question him on the advanced production of the three designs of the second series of clothing. Although, Timothy was a little impatient after being questioned by Wendy, if Wendy did not ask him anything about this, he would have felt suspicious of Wendy for sure.
In order to not provoke Timothy further, Wendy would not ask anymore as she was an obedient disciple and money-making machine for HG Enterprise. Wendy smiled as she apologized, "I am sorry, Mr. Woods. I was too anxious just now. I really meant no harm. Please don’t be angry."
"I know you meant no harm. After all these years, do you think I don’t know what kind of person you are?" Timothy said. "Frankly speaking, I just hope to get back the profits for the turnover as soon as possible. That’s all. Don’t overthink it." Timothy patted Wendy’s shoulder after he finished speaking.
"Should I contact the manufacturer?" Wendy said. "I had been responsible for contacting the manufacturers in the past two years."
"Your main task is to hurry up and design the upcoming apparel. If you have enough time and energy, it is better to contact the manufacturer directly for sure. After all, you are the designer and you know the advantages of the apparel best," Timothy replied. "But if you don’t have much time, you must focus on the design."
"More work, less rest then," Wendy said.
Now that the apparel went on sale ahead of schedule, Wendy had to prepare everything in advance.
Her success depended on the manufacturers. She had to get in touch with them as soon as possible so her design process could move forward.
As for what to do, she needed to think about it.
"Thanks for your hard work, Corrine." Timothy smiled brightly at her. "Having you as my mentee does make me free from worry."
"I am just doing my job." Wendy shook her head.
"Take your time and feel free to contact me any time for work progress," Timothy said as he was about to leave. "I will leave you to your work."
"See you, Mr. Woods."
Seeing Timothy turned and left, Wendy sat back and thought for a while in silence.
Afterward, she dialed the assistant’s internal line. "Please notify the people in the marketing department that we’ll have a meeting in 10 minutes."
...
Wendy’s schedule was always full.
In the morning, she worked in the company and reached out to manufacturers.
At night, she not only worked on the designs but also thought about perfecting her plans.
She still spent some time with Todd and Zen.
Although Wendy knew that Zen was working for Christian, Zen was on the stage while Wendy was behind the scenes.
Zen could only know what Wendy would like her to know.
One day, Michael called Wendy again.
As expected, she refused to talk to him.
Zen just walked in and brought Wendy a plate of fruit. Upon seeing the phone call without remarks, she asked curiously, "Why don’t you answer it?"
"It’s Michael," Wendy answered flatly.
In front of Zen, she should behave as if she and Michael were on the rocks.
"Mr. Lucas still doesn’t give up your share of equity?" Zen continued to probe.
"Exactly." Wendy lowered her head, busying herself with the documents in front of her. "He just won’t stop. He calls to harass me from time to time. I don’t know what he’s thinking. How could my equity be sold and loaned to him?"
"Perhaps Mr. Lucas is short of money recently." Zen smiled and handed the plate to Wendy. "Don’t keep working for too long. Have some fruit."
"Thank you." Wendy took a slice of apple with a fork and put it in her mouth.
Afterward, she looked at Zen and said, "I will be quite busy these days. You don’t need to go on and off duty with me. You are free to leave on time. After all, you’re pregnant. You cannot wear yourself out."
"It’s okay. Since I came to HG Enterprise and became your assistant, I should do my job." Zen’s mission was to be Christian’s informer, and her job was to keep tabs on Wendy 24 hours a day.
"Up to you." Wendy took the file and stood up. "I’m heading to a meeting now."
Wendy then left and went to the conference room.
Meanwhile, MC Enterprise’s CEO was upset that Wendy did not take his calls. He could only sigh helplessly.
Michael’s gaze was was his phone when Yonina walked in. She had already guessed what was going on. "Your darling wife still doesn’t answer your call?" she said with a mocking smile. "Poor you."
"I don’t know what you’re pleased with," Michael replied, shaking his head.
Picking up the file on the table, Michael threw it to Yonina. "Take it. Remember to emphasize to Christian that you stole it."
Yonina roughly scanned the file. It was the design plan for the bidding that she had been asking.
Yonina held the document in her hand with satisfaction and said with a smile, "Mr. Lucas, should we make a bet?"
"What do you want to bet on?"
"If Wendy answers my call, you’ll buy me midnight snacks." Yonina checked the time. "It’s past 11 PM anyway."
Yonina sounded confident.
"When did you start calling her Wendy instead of Ms. Stewart or Wendy Stewart?" Michael inquired, raising his eyebrows. "Didn’t you two merely get in touch for a few times? What, you’re telling me you two are buddies now?"
Yonina frowned. "I don’t want to repeat myself. Mr. Lucas, just tell me if you want to make a bet or not."
"Deal! What if you lose?"
"I will buy you midnight snacks, for sure," Yonina said excitedly. "But I won’t lose."
Michael snorted.
Yonina took out her phone and dialed Wendy’s number.
At this time, Wendy was on the way to the meeting room. Her brows furrowed when she saw Yonina calling her.
No answer.
Based on how things were going between them, it seemed inappropriate to contact each other too frequently.
Moreover, Wendy was still in the company, working.
Hence, Wendy dropped the call without hesitation.
Hearing the beep, Yonina was in disbelief.
Michael burst into laughter. "Didn’t you say that you won’t lose?"
"It must be that Wendy is not available to take my call," Yonina replied.
"Then she must not be available to take my call," Michael teased. "I don’t know why you were laughing at me."
Yonina called Wendy once for fun, but she would not carelessly make a second call.
There must be a reason why Wendy didn’t take her call.
Yonina would not trouble her anymore.
As promised, Yonina said, "Let’s go. The midnight snacks are on me."
Before Michael could respond, Mr. York walked in.
"Mr. Lucas, Ms. Collins," Mr. York greeted them. "I found one of the targets from the list that Mr. Lucas asked me to check the other day."
Mr. York handed the information to Michael and continued, "This person is determined to be one of the directors of HG Enterprise. Since this person is relatively high-profile, he’s a regular fixture in the nightclubs of Rheinsville City. Also, He is quite generous to women. All these clues match the status of an HG Enterprise’s director."
Michael took over the information and carefully looked at the person’s profile.
"Clement, from Rheinsville City, 37 years old..." When Michael saw that the man had committed crimes, his expression turned serious.
A director of HG Enterprise involved in gangs?
Yonina leaned over to look at the information. A worried expression appeared on her face.
"Please send me a soft copy of these files, and I will forward them to Wendy right away," Yonina said.
Mr. York nodded and immediately returned to his office.
