Chapter 69


    Ruby fidgeted in Billy’s office, feeling the weight of his hopeful gaze boring into her.


    "Ruby, I know you have a knack for fashion design. With our sales soaring, you should really whip


    up some new designs."


    Designing clothes was no easy task, and Ruby knew she was in over her head. She bit her lip and


    looked up with a forced smile. "Dad, I''ve just been in a bit of a funktely. It''s throwing off my


    creative groove. Give me some time to bounce back, and I''ll get those sketches to you."


    Billy whipped out his smartphone and transferred $15,000 to her. "Go treat yourself to somefort


    food, maybe a new outfit. Ruby, thepany''s riding on your talents. And mark my words, I''ll carve


    out a share for you in the business. If your brother can''t cut it, you''ll take the reins."


    Rubypletely fell for those words.


    She feared that Josefina mighte at her for giarism. She had two more of Josefina’s


    sketches, but she was afraid of revealing them. Now, it seemed she had no choice.


    "Dad, I''ll get to drawing as soon as I get home and show you what I''ve got," Ruby promised sweetly.


    Billy beamed. "That’s my girl. I''m looking forward to it."


    As soon as Ruby left Billy’s office, she snapped a selfie and posted it to her Instagram story, which


    was only visible to her old high school friends. [Checking out Dad''spany. He''s talking about


    handing over the reins to me someday.]


    Ruby was content and left with a spring in her step.


    ...


    Back at herpany, Josefina found the office deserted, save for Alex, a male colleague earnestly


    engrossed in his designs. She approached him and peered at his work. "A diagonal shoulder would


    give the dress more oomph than a straight-across neckline."


    Startled by her voice, Alex jumped. "Hi," he muttered, his eyes wide with apprehension.


    Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Josefina chuckled. "I’m not some bogeyman. Why are you so scared?"


    Alex shook his head. "You''re drop-dead gorgeous, the prettiest girl I''ve everid eyes on."


    Her smile deepened. "Afraid of me?"


    "It''s not you I fear—it''s Jaxon..."


    Jaxon had made it clear that anyone cozying up to the new head honcho would be packing their


    bags. Fresh out of college, Alex was desperate to keep his job.


    "I''m the real shot-caller of thispany, not some manager who thinks he can overrule me,"


    Josefina said, pointing at Alex''s draft. "Carry on with your drawing and show me when it’s done."


    She retreated to her office to review years'' worth ofpany files, uninterrupted until three o''clock.


    There was still no sign of Jaxon and the others.


    Dialing Jaxon’s number, she was greeted with his groggy voice. "Who''s this?" His tone was sour as


    if she''d woken him from a nap.


    A chill spread in her eyes. "Jaxon, one hour of unexined absence—there goes your monthly


    attendance bonus. If you and the team aren''t back in ten minutes, consider yourselves fired."


    Ten minutes? Cursing under his breath, Jaxon rallied the troops back to the office.


    At nine minutes and fifty seconds, Jaxon and the six staffers burst in, disheveled, sweaty, looking


    like they''d just finished a marathon.


    Jaxon’s own hair was a mess as he stormed toward Josefina with indignant authority. "Ms. Josefina,


    what''s the big idea? You may be the CEO, but you can''t just bully us long-timers like this. Back


    when we were breaking our backs for thispany, you were still off innd learning the


    ropes!"