Chapter 51
Chapter 51:
“Delilah, how are you coming along with your work?” Stella regained her composure, her voice returning to its typical detached tone. “Don’t worry if you’re struggling with the design. Not everyone has the innate gift that Janice possesses.”
“I… I can do it. But…” Delilah was anxious. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and with a theatrical gasp, she collapsed to the floor. “My stomach is killing me.”
Janice observed the scene with a resigned shrug, accustomed to Delilah’s flair for drama.
Stella, concern etching her features, quickly went to Delilah’s side. “What’s wrong? Should I call an ambulance?”
Delilah, pallid and shaky, tried to rise. “No, I can manage. I have a concept ready to go. I can’t let Kenneth down—I’ll finish the design.”
As Stella caught sight of Delilah’s frail appearance, a deep sense of concern washed over her. “Take a moment to calm down, and try to regulate your breathing. It might help you feel better.”
“Goodness, Delilah, you seem so fragile. First a mango allergy, and now a stomach ache? It’s astonishing you’ve managed to make it this far,” Janice quipped with a sharp edge of sarcasm. She glanced at Kenneth, noting his apparent lack of concern, and speculated whether he had seen through Delilah’s act.
“I know you despise me, Janice. But believe me, I’m genuinely suffering right now,” Delilah murmured faintly, her expression pained as she rubbed her stomach with a theatrical grimace. “I might not have your knack for design, but I’m putting my all into improving.”
As she spoke, tears cascaded down her cheeks, each one a testament to her resolve. “I promise, even without your gift, I will not be outdone by you.”
With a determined effort, Delilah rose to her feet, her body swaying slightly as she reached for her sketchpad to resume her work. Just then, the abrupt ring of Kenneth’s phone sliced through the tension.
He shot a glance at the caller ID, his eyebrows knitting together in frustration before he answered with evident reluctance.
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“I see,” Kenneth muttered curtly before ending the call after a short exchange. “Enough, Delilah. From this point forward, you and Janice will both serve as Stella’s assistants.”
His gaze then turned to Stella, adopting a grave tone. “They are now your responsibility. We must accelerate our project with Freak Design. Be aware of the repercussions should we encounter any setbacks.”
“Absolutely,” Stella responded, her face set in a resolute expression, fully recognizing how crucial the project was to Delgado Jewelry.
Kenneth, having recently ascended to the CEO role somewhat unexpectedly, was particularly reliant on the success of this venture with Freak Design to cement his leadership.
Turning his attention to Janice, Kenneth’s stern facade softened somewhat. “I’m eager to see what you’ll bring to the table,” he said expectantly.
With a meaningful glance at Stella, he departed the room with her following closely behind.
“Still pretending, Delilah?” Janice scoffed, arms folded across her chest, her expression dripping with scorn.
Delilah, who had been donning a guise of sorrow, suddenly let her true emotions surface. Her demeanor changed as abruptly as a page being turned. “Janice, what have you done to sway Kenneth? Why does he seem to favor you so much?”
“Simply put, because I possess beauty, kindness, and talent,” Janice replied nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders. “He’s the future heir of the Delgado family, after all—not as easily deceived as the Edwards family, who couldn’t see through someone as manipulative as you.”
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