Chapter 199 Let’s Design Together
When Joanna placed the folder on Nicole’s table, her gaze happened to land on the sketch in Wendy’s hand.
It had only been a glance, but it was enough for her to know it was Wendy’s dress, and her face stiffened slightly at that.
Though Wendy never asked her to come up with a dress, she thought she’d have bagged the task when Nicole was still entangled in that scandal. Yet, in the end, it was still given to Nicole!
Joanna’s heart somewhat tightened. Many media outlets would undoubtedly show up at Wendy’s eighteenth birthday, so she’d have to fight for this chance to rise to fame!
With that, she forced a smile and asked, “Miss Lisa, is this the dress you’ve designed for Wendy’s eighteenth birthday?”
Wendy nodded at that and presented Joanna with the sketch, saying with joy, “Yeah, look how beautiful this dress is, Joanna. I’ll surely be the belle of the ball if I show up in this dress!”
Seeing that Wendy had admitted it, Joanna felt even more awful. Despite her irritation, nothing was given away in her expression.
“Oh, I thought you’d have come to me, Wendy. I had also designed one for you,” Joanna said with a hint of pity.
Her words stumped Wendy as she probably did not expect Joanna to have come up with a dress as well.
Anna, on the other hand, got the gist of Joanna’s words and simply said, “In that case, why don’t you two finalize your sketches and let Wendy choose the one she likes?”
Before Nicole could say anything, Joanna answered with a smile, “Sure! We’ve already come up with the designs anyway. Of course we’ll have to go with the one Wendy likes. You’re okay with this as well, aren’t you, Miss Lisa?”
Nicole looked over at Joanna, who was staring straight at her. Although Joanna’s eyes were twinkling, they were superficial and seemingly pretentious.
With that, Nicole nodded with a smile. “I’m fine either way. I’ll be able to get my sketch done by tomorrow afternoon. I’ll have to trouble you to make another trip here tomorrow, Wendy.”
Then, Joanna said hurriedly, “I can also get my sketch done tomorrow. Why don’t you take a look at both then, Wendy?”
Wendy nodded with a face full of smiles. “Aw, thank you, guys.”
Joanna heaved a sigh of relief at that. Though she wasn’t as internationally famous as Nicole, she refused to believe she’d lose to Nicole when it came to designing!
Because of Joanna’s appearance, Anna could no longer talk about private affairs. So, after a couple of small talks, she told Wendy it was time to leave.
Seeing that the Gardners were leaving, Joanna hurriedly offered to see them off. Nicole, on the other hand, chuckled but said nothing when she saw Joanna fawning all over them.
After everyone left, Nicole flipped through the sketches Joanna had collected. There were only a handful of them, and the framework in some were even evidently erroneous. No doubt Joanna used it as an excuse to come in after learning Anna and Wendy were in her office.
What inadequate acting.
Joanna finally returned a long while later, probably having actually sent Anna and Wendy on their way.
Seeing the folder Nicole had opened as she entered, she hurriedly came in and apologized, “I’m so sorry, Miss Lisa. It just hit me that these are the ones I’ve rejected. I took the wrong one when I came over. I’ll go and bring you the right one.”
Nicole narrowed her eyes slightly as she watched Joanna’s pretentious act, then closed the folder and smiled. “Director Schmidt, you don’t need an excuse to enter my office. Just come whenever you want. It’s not like I’m some bad guy. I can’t possibly drive you out, can I?”
Even when Nicole had seen through her ploy, Joanna kept her smile on her face, playing dumb. “It’s my fault. I’ve been swamped with work lately. I hope you can forgive me.”
