Chapter 192 You’re Good at Making Empty Promises
“I don’t care about your market price. I only talk about mates’ rate.” As if she was determined to rely on her, Courtney grabbed Cameron’s arm tightly. “At worst, I can treat you to roasted duck neck for a whole year.”
Even if you treat me for ten years, it won’t be enough for me to make a dress.” Cameron rolled her eyes. “This is no different from extortion.”
“Can’t you see that I’m poor? I’ve been to Citron Apparel. It’s just a small factory; an empty shell. The finances are in a mess and it’s short-staffed. If you don’t help me, which designer is willing to come? No matter how much I offer, people wouldn’t want to come too.”
“Hey, how dare you say that you’re poor…” Cameron looked disgusted. “Show me your bank account balance if you dare. Mine would probably only be a fraction of your total.”
“Are you going to help or not?” Courtney let go of her arm. “Otherwise, I’ll find somebody else.”
“I’ll help.” Cameron pouted. “Did I say that I won’t help? I’ll help even if you don’t pay me. After all, I’m tired of high fashion, and I want to look into the clothes that peasants like you wear.”
Finally, Courtney grinned and raised her two fingers. “After the company is listed, I’ll give you twenty percent of the restricted shares.”
“You’re good at making empty promises.”
Courtney was rendered speechless by Cameron’s comment.
In regards to Courtney’s request, Cameron wasn’t thinking of anything much since the beginning. She had her own studio and she sometimes signed project contracts with other apparel companies as an outsource. Relatively speaking, she had a pretty leisurely job. Now that her best friend wanted to start a business and it was something within her ability, of course, she had to help her.
Early the next morning, Cameron followed Courtney to Citron Apparel’s office.
The location was excellent. It was surrounded by the business district, and it was a three-story bungalow hidden among the tall buildings. After passing two alleys, they finally arrived at the location.
The one who showed them around was a handsome young man in his early thirties.
“This is the former head of Citron Apparel, Meliorn Kyle. This is my friend and our future chief designer, Cameron Miller.”
“Miss Miller, nice to meet you.”
“Just call me Cameron.”
After an exchange of polite remarks, Courtney sent Meliorn away and walked Cameron around the building by herself. “What do you think?”
“Want to hear the truth?”
“Of course.”
“Absolutely terrible.” Unceremoniously, Cameron looked at her with the nitpicky eyes of a designer. “This building probably has never been renovated after your mom handed the company over to your dad. Everything feels like it was built after the economic reformation. It struck me as a place that makes prison uniforms the moment I came in. You have to renovate it. This building is too old. You can just refurbish it into an industrial style office.”
“Anything you say.”
“Also, change up the staff if you can.” Cameron frowned. “They’re trimming their nails and playing games as they please. They’re too undisciplined. Instead of spending more time correcting them, it’s better to get a new group of staff. Newcomers don’t know what the original atmosphere was, so they will work harder.”
“Okay.”
Ducking her head, Courtney was taking down the points that Cameron just said in a notebook. Looking at the hardworking Courtney, Cameron was suddenly confused.
“Wait. Didn’t you ask me to be a designer? Why am I handling so many things for you?”
With a flattering smile, Courtney took her arm. “An able man is always busy; right Miss Miller?”
That moment, Cameron felt like she had dug herself into a hole…
On Friday, the final body checkup report came out. The doctor informed the inpatient department that Lucian could be discharged to rest at home.
Susan and Anna came with a bunch of relatives from Susan’s natal family. Thus, Lucian was now accompanied by a group of people.
“Lucian, my sister is so worried about you these days that she can’t eat anything.”
“Aunt Susan’s eyes are swollen from crying.”
“Anna hasn’t gone out for a long time. Every time I asked her where she was, she was always in the hospital. You finally recovered.”
The atmosphere was harmonious with the relatives in the ward. Frowning, Courtney stood outside the door like an outsider. After a moment of hesitation, she turned around and left.
“Why aren’t you going in before you leave?” Courtney was stunned when she heard a calm female voice.
Looking up, she saw a blue-gray figure.
It was Alicia.
“Why are you here?”
“To collect the medicine.” Alicia apathetically threw a glance at the lively ward. “Since you’re already here, why don’t you go inside? Is it because the mistress has a lot of relatives? That’s why you dare not go in?”
Courtney was still standing in a daze, and suddenly, her wrist was caught.
The warmth from Alicia’s palm accompanied Courtney as Alicia pushed open the door of the ward. Passing through the crowd that stood by the door, they stopped in front of the hospital bed.
“Lucian Hunter, how can you let your own daughter stand outside the door and surround yourself with this group of unknown poor relatives?”
Everyone’s expression changed in an instant. The atmosphere inside the ward froze.
Immediately, Anna was not pleased. “Courtney Hunter, what’s wrong with you? Bringing whoever you want and coming into the room? What happens if Dad gets shocked—”
“It’s not your place to speak.” Alicia glared at Anna; contempt was evident in her eyes.
“How dare you talk to me like this. Who do you think you are—”
“Slap!”
Before Anna could finish speaking, a firm slap fell on her cheek. This was the second time she was beaten in this month. For a moment, she looked incredulous and could not return to her senses.
“Alicia Watson, how dare you slap my daughter!”
Instantly, Susan shoved her daughter behind her, afraid that Alicia would do it again.
Yet, Alicia snorted, “Since you still remember that I’m Alicia Watson, then you should also remember how I made you kneel in front of Cecilia’s grave for a whole night twenty years ago. I don’t think you have forgotten the two hundred slaps I gave you, right?”
The moment everyone heard that, they took in a sharp breath.
Two hundred slaps? Wouldn’t her face be ruined?
This was also the first time Courtney heard about this. She looked at Susan in disbelief. Susan’s face was pale, and she was extremely embarrassed. Not being able to say a word, she gritted her teeth and looked away.
Meanwhile, Lucian was sitting by the bed. He had changed out from his hospital gown and was dressed in a casual polo shirt and beige trousers. When he saw Courtney and Alicia, the last trace of color faded from his already pale complexion.
“Alicia, it’s been so long. You don’t have—”
“Alicia is not a name for you to use. Please call me Miss Watson, or Mrs. Somerfield.” Her expression was cold. “I’m here today just to ask you something. Is there nothing you want to tell Courtney before you leave with Susan and her daughter?”
In response, Lucian frowned. “I’ve thanked her already.”
“Thanks?” she snorted. “A simple motion of your lips is enough to exchange for my niece staying here to take care of you for a month? That’s a good deal. No wonder you’re a businessman. Now that you’ve recovered, you decided to leave and ignore your daughter again?”
Upon hearing that, Anna, who was covering her face, stomped her foot. “What’s the matter with you? Are you trying to force my dad to give her money? It looks like the fox finally peeped out its tail. Why are you still acting like you’re morally superior?”
“Stop barking like a mad dog.” With just one glance from Alicia, Susan was shedding cold sweat. In a hurry, she grabbed her daughter and stopped her from speaking.
After a long moment, Lucian let out a sigh. “This is a matter between the Hunters. It’s none of your business, Mrs. Somerfield.”
