Chapter 24
TRIVE TOY
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tis, these papers… Lisa’s voice trembled slightly as she held up my sketches. Don’t tell me… these are your drafty?
Dlooked up at her wide eyes and slightly parted lips. Her expression was one of genuine amazement, similar to reactions I’d seen many times
before when people first discovered what I was capable of.
‘Yes, they are,” I replied calmly. Is something wrong?”
Lisa shook her head quickly, her eyes still fixed on the sketches. “No, not all! It’s just… these are incredible. I’ve never seen initial concepts with this level of… intuition. The way you’ve approached the design problem is completely unexpected.”
I shrugged, gathering my things. “That’s just my style. The final product won’t look exactly like this. I’ll refine everything according to my
vision.
What I didn’t tell her was that these unconventional sketches had once commanded six–figure contracts under my Aurora pseudonym. But that wasn’t something Iris Stone, the new intern, would say.
I watched Lisa’s reaction carefully. Unlike other colleagues who’d have immediately criticized my non–traditional approach because they didn’t understand it, she seemed genuinely impressed, if a little overwhelmed by the complexity.
At least someone here can recognize talent when they see it, even if it doesn’t follow the standard formula.
“We should head downstairs,” Lisa said, finally breaking the silence. “The cars are waiting to take us to the restaurant.”
Outside, I noticed the company had arranged two vehicles–a sleek black SUV and a luxury sedan. Lisa gestured toward the sedan.
“We’ll ride in this one. Mr. Grey takes his own car.”
I nodded, deliberately avoiding looking at Sebastien’s vehicle. I caught just the briefest glimpse of his silhouette through the tinted windows before turning away. No need to draw attention to myself.
Inside the car, Lisa chatted incessantly about the collaboration, the importance of the project, and office gossip I had zero interest in. I nodded occasionally, making appropriate sounds of acknowledgment while my mind wandered to the upcoming meeting.
Would the Polaris designers recognize me? I had worked there for almost two years as Aurora, and while few had seen my face, my distinctive sketching style was well–known. I touched my slightly rounded stomach absently. I couldn’t afford any complications right now.
Twenty minutes later, our car pulled up to Bluewater Restaurant, one of the most exclusive dining establishments in Moonshade Bay. As we stepped out, I immediately sensed something unusual. The normally bustling restaurant was eerily quiet.
“They’ve completely reserved it for our meeting,” Lisa whispered, noticing my hesitation.
I could hear the faint sound of cutlery being arranged and service carts being wheeled, but saw no other diners. The silence made my nerves tingle with anticipation. I took a deep breath as the manager led us toward a private room at the back.
“Your colleagues are already inside,” he said, stopping at an ornate wooden door.
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Chapter 24
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Steluted mysell, preparing for whatever might come. When the door swung open, I saw Sebastion already there, engaged in conversation with what appeal to be Polaris executives. My body involuntarily Traze for a split second before I forced myself to move forward.
No de maticed that. Cond
slipped in with the group of designers, keeping my head down as we found our seats around the large table. The voices around me blonded Together until I heard one that made my blood run cold.
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