Chapter 121


    Alex’s nerves were frayed, but Josefina’s voice, brimming with confidence, was thest straw. “Ms.


    Josefina, are you just saying that tofort me? I know this is no small matter – my designs have


    been swiped clean, not a sketch left. Even if I start drawing now, it’s toote; inspiration doesn’t


    come on tap.”


    Heid it out bare; there was no hiding his despair. In the firm, it was just Ava and Alex in the design


    department. Alex was at his wit’s end, incapable of fathoming a solution.


    Kale, standing off to the side, didn’t question Josefina’s assertiveness. He knew that when Josefina


    made a promise, she’d keep it. She nevermitted to something she wasn’t sure she could


    deliver.


    “Alex, why don’t you hit the ground running with something else? Don’t sweat the designs – I’ll


    handle it.”


    Alex, uneasy, shook his head. “Ms. Josefina, you might as well fire me. I know you’re in this as a


    hired gun. Even as CEO, you’ve got skin in the game. If you fire me, pin the me on me – it’s fair. I


    screwed up, didn’t secure our assets.”


    Josefina was taken aback; Alex’s readiness to shoulder the me was unexpected. Men with such


    responsibility were a rare breed these days.


    With a deepening smile, Josefina reassured him, “Don’t worry. I won’t make you the fall guy. We’ll


    straighten this out. Go grab some breakfast, and take a breather.”


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Kale chimed in, “Step out for now. If we need you, I’ll give you a shout.”


    Alex, puzzled, questioned, “Kale, howe it feels like you’ve known Ms. Josefina for ages?”


    Kale had only been with thepany for a few days. His unwavering trust in Josefina was startling.


    Unflinching, Kale replied, “As Ms. Josefina’s secretary, it’s only natural I trust her implicitly.”


    Alex, beyond shocked, was impressed. Kale’smitment was sky-high. Combined with Josefina’s


    aura of confidence, it was hard not to believe in her.


    After Alex left the office, Kale inquired, “Ms. Josefina, are you nning to draft the designs yourself?


    If you do, won’t that blow your cover?”


    “I’ve made a slight tweak in the design approach – it’s the best we can do for now. I’ve just taken the


    reins of thepany, and I won’t let the schemers behind this have thestugh at my expense.


    Mypany will not lose!”


    The confident gleam in Josefina’s eyes convinced Kale that Ms. Josefina was destined to triumph!


    ...


    Ava, with guidance from a mentor, made her way to Billy’spany. The designs she brought were


    a hit.


    The secretary came in with an update, “Mr. Antonio, ourtest designs are selling like hotcakes on


    pre-order. The factory’s working overtime to keep up.”


    Billy stood up. His face was aglow. “That Ava, she’s something!”


    The secretary added, “Mr. Antonio, we need funds for the inventory, and we’re running low on cash.


    You’ve got to figure something out, or we won’t meet consumer demand.”


    “No worries about the money – I’ll work something out right away.”


    Billy could almost see the cash flowing his way. With such a hot pre-sale, he had to get those


    clothes produced and into the stores pronto.


    Ava, hearing the news, was not particrly thrilled. These were designs by an intern; how good


    could they be to garner such a following?


    Frowning, Ava stood in the restroom, staring at her reflection.


    Ruby sidled up, standing beside Ava, gazing into the mirror. “These clothes... they’re not your work,


    are they?”