"Don't worry about it," Iris said. "I'm already happy you came to see me here in Paris. You attending my perfumery's launch party today is just a bonus."
Ashandra smiled at her.
Their chat was interrupted when Clover stepped on the small stage and called for everyone's attention in French.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Clover Chua and I am Liberté's Chief Operating Officer. On behalf of our beautiful owner, Madame Iris Long, and everyone on our team, I welcome you all to Liberté!"
Everyone clapped their hands.
Clover thanked the guests for coming. She also spoke about the company's origins as the former Sang Bleu, the perfume maker for European royalty and aristocrats, and how their rebranding would foster more inclusivity instead of exclusivity.
"Of course, this doesn't mean that Liberté makes cheap perfumes marketed to just anyone. That's not the case at all. We strive to maintain the original brand's classic elegance while accepting clients who wish to wear our fragrances regardless of their backgrounds.
"Here in Liberté, we believe that a person's true worth is not based on status upon birth but on personal achievements instead. We believe in integrity, authenticity, confidence, courage, and freedom to pursue our passions.
"As a Liberté customer, our fragrances will be a tool to augment your success, whatever your definition of success is. We hope that one day, our Liberté fragrances will become synonymous with success—inclusive success. Because…here in our company, our motto is 'Respecting traditions, working toward progress. We are Liberté!'
"Thank you very much!"
Clover ended her speech amidst a standing ovation.
Iris was the first one to stand up. Of course, her husband, Jin Liwei, followed her to stand up almost simultaneously. The others followed the couple's lead and stood up as well, clapping, and cheering for Clover's wonderful speech.
"Clover did an excellent job, don't you think?" Iris asked.
"En." Jin Liwei said but his soft gaze was directed at his wife, not at Clover or anyone else.
Ashandra, who was watching them, snickered. Still, she commented, "Clover's French has improved a lot. The last time I met her, she could barely speak French."
"She has worked very hard to reach where she is now," Iris said proudly. "She told me that it was very difficult to integrate into French society at the beginning, but she never gave up. She followed through with my directive and succeeded with flying colours. All the values that she spoke of in her speech are values that she and her family all possess. That's why I think that she's perfect to lead Liberté." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Ashandra nodded, agreeing with her. "By the way, Xiulan, has Liberté been approved to join our academy's exclusive business network yet?"
"Yes," Iris said. "Liberté's approval was faster this time because Orchidia was already a member. Actually, Liberté is technically a subsidiary of Orchidia, but because of its origins as the former Sang Blue, Cross Academy's exclusive business network treated it as a completely separate company and required me to do a new application for it."
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