Chapter 350
She Has Backing
Mr. Grant's assistant quickly handed paper and pens to Maison Verne's three designers.
Mr. Grant announced, "If my wife needs to attend a charity gala later and wear a piece of jewelry that is understated but not vulgar, simple yet rich in design, how would you design it?"
"In half an hour, I hope to see your exquisite designs and hear you explain your design concepts to me. I've always believed that design reflects the person. Anyone who can do design well can't be all that bad."
Willow Lane knew her design skills couldn't compare to Claire Bennett's, but she had backing. No matter what she drew later, Mr. Grant would choose her!
After that, Mr. Grant waited in silence.
Aside from Claire Bennett, everyone else was a designer from Maison Verne. They took the paper and pens and started drawing, somewhat nervously. Although design itself was very easy for them, with so many people present, the pressure was undeniably considerable. Producing a good design in such a short time was no simple matter.
The room was extremely quiet, with only the faint scratching of pens across paper.
Half an hour later, Mr. Grant's assistant announced that time was up.
Aside from Willow Lane and Claire Bennett, anxious, restless expressions appeared on the other three women's faces. They hadn't even finished just now, and these half-done pieces were really too ugly to show.
Mr. Grant's assistant came over, collected everyone's designs, and then placed them in front of Mr. Grant.
Looking at the five sketches in front of him, Mr. Grant said nothing.
The five contestants looked at Mr. Grant nervously, not knowing what would happen next.
Actually, they already knew that Willow Lane might be the one who won, but being able to participate was still a good thing.
"Willow Lane, can you talk about your design concept?"
Hearing Mr. Grant call her name first, Willow Lane started talking nonstop, her face full of excitement.
Claire Bennett took a moment to glance at it and saw that Willow Lane's design was entirely geared toward being eye-catching and elaborate. It might have worked for certain banquets and similar occasions, but this was a charity gala, so that kind of design was somewhat unsuitable.
As Mr. Grant listened to Willow Lane's description, he didn't say much, only frowning slightly from time to time.
Next was another designer. Her drawing wasn't finished, so she looked somewhat guilty, and when Mr. Grant asked her about it, she was a little hesitant too.
After stammering for quite a while, it was finally Claire Bennett's turn.
Claire Bennett had already prepared what she wanted to say. With a faint smile, she looked at Mr. Grant and said, "Mr. Grant, this time I've designed a necklace centered on the stars and moon. The moon is your wife, and the stars are the children your wife has helped. As I understand it, your wife is very passionate about charity..."
"The stars and the moon are like two things that can't be separated. They support and accompany each other, and they can also represent Mrs. Grant's determination to care for children. So I think this necklace is very suitable to wear to a charity gala."
As Mr. Grant listened to Claire Bennett, his expression gradually changed.
In fact, Mr. Grant and Mrs. Grant had met at a charity gala too. Last night, Julian Sterling had called him and asked him to look after Claire Bennett. Mrs. Grant, who was beside him, learned that Claire Bennett had come on behalf of Sterling International and became so excited that she kept saying they absolutely had to choose her.
He didn't quite understand why they were all paying so much attention to Claire Bennett. What exactly was it about this girl that made her so compelling?
So just now, he had taken the opportunity to test the abilities of the people from Maison Verne.
Willow Lane's design was decent, but it was conventional and had no major highlights, while Claire Bennett's was a real eye-opener. Now he finally understood why Mrs. Grant regarded Claire Bennett differently.
Even he felt that Claire Bennett was exceptionally outstanding!
She had given him a huge surprise!
As Mr. Grant listened to Claire Bennett's explanation, he nodded lightly from time to time, revealing a satisfied expression.
Seeing this, Willow Lane clenched her palms in anger!
Damn it, Claire Bennett was really good at making things up. Mr. Grant had listened to her talk so much just now without ever showing that kind of expression. Looking at things now, he was clearly very satisfied with Claire Bennett.
Hmph! But even so, so what?
No matter how perfectly Claire Bennett performed, the one who would win in the end could only be her!
A moment later, Claire Bennett finished speaking. Mr. Grant repeatedly looked over the sketch in his hand and chuckled. "Miss Bennett, you really do have clever ideas. My wife actually designs too, but she generally doesn't think much of ordinary designs. Yours, however, is rather different. If I show it to her, I imagine she'll definitely like it."
Claire Bennett felt that this praise was extremely high, and she smiled and nodded.
Thinking of the several other companies still waiting outside, Mr. Grant waved his hand and said, "You should go out and wait for a while. After I finish speaking with the other companies, I'll invite you back in."
When Willow Lane heard Mr. Grant say that, disappointment appeared on her face.
Just now, she had thought Mr. Grant would directly announce her as the winner, but unexpectedly she still had to wait.
Fine, then she would wait!
It wasn't like a little more time made any difference. She'd just count it as being magnanimous enough to let Claire Bennett enjoy herself for a while.
After the people from Maison Verne came outside to wait, someone let out a heavy sigh, looking utterly dejected. Clearly, she was very dissatisfied with how she had performed just now.
Although Molly Lee was Claire Bennett's assistant, she hadn't gone in because it was crowded inside.
When she saw Claire Bennett come out, she hurried over and asked, "Director Claire, how did it go?"
Thinking of how Mr. Grant had looked just now, Claire Bennett curled her lips slightly and said, "Perhaps Mr. Grant already has an answer in mind."
Seeing Claire Bennett's confident expression, Willow Lane couldn't help letting out a light snort and sneered, "Claire Bennett, don't think that just because Mr. Grant praised you a few times, you can get carried away. In the end, won't you still lose to me!"
Seeing Willow Lane's smug expression, Claire Bennett didn't respond to her.
After all, whatever the final result was, it wasn't something she could interfere with. She only hoped things would be as Julian Sterling had said—that Mrs. Grant knew her and had a favorable impression of her.
At that moment, Hazel Lewis, standing nearby and watching Willow Lane and Claire Bennett bicker, revealed a thoughtful expression.
Not long after the last company went in, Mr. Grant's assistant came out.
She announced publicly, "Everyone, after communicating and speaking with you all, Mr. Grant has now decided on the partner he will work with."
The assistant paused, then continued, "Mr. Grant has chosen Sterling International. We're very sorry to have made you come for nothing. The other companies may leave first now."
Although the surrounding companies felt a little regretful, they thought that losing to a major company like Sterling International was only normal.
Quite a few people stood up and said their goodbyes one after another.
At that moment, everyone else from Maison Verne thought that since Sterling International had won, then the person who had won just now was Willow Lane. After all, she was President Sterling's girlfriend, so maybe she had been the predetermined winner all along.
Someone looked at Willow Lane and said enviously, "Willow, since you won this selection, if you win the next one too, you'll be able to take charge of all of Maison Verne."
"Yeah, looks like we should congratulate you in advance."
"When you become Manager Lane, you definitely have to look out for us more."