Celestine nodded enthusiastically, her eyes crinkling with a smile. ‘Of course! Пl handle the drafts, and you bring the team.”
Thanks to the recent buzz online, some of the savvier investors in the industry were starting to reconsider Kismet Collective, circling back to its potential for growth.
At last, things for Kismet Collective weren’t nearly as grim and suffocating as they had been at the start of the year.
Crystal Lennox finally allowed herself a sigh of relief before continuing, “I checked the details. The Prescott Group’s pitch competition is set for the end of next month. You can enter as an individual or under a studio name. They haven’t announced the specifics yet, but it’ll probably be the same as before–ten original pieces get you in.”
“I’ve seen studios all over the place itching to join. But Celly, don’t stress yourself out. Kismet Collective will have your back, no matter what. Even if you don’t get selected, we’ll support you–just treat it as a chance to get out there and have some fun.”
Crystal explained everything thoroughly, breaking down the pros and cons while subtly gauging Celestine’s reaction.
In the end, Celestine only cared about one thing. “If you win, is there any prize money besides the investment?”
Crystal glanced at her in surprise. “Yeah, there is–should be about three hundred grand. Are you short on cash these days, Celly?”
“Nope, not at all. But who’d complain about having too much money?” Celestine gave her a playful wink.
Crystal caught her drift–Celestine clearly didn’t want to elaborate–so she switched gears and joked, “Got it, just a hint that this capitalist needs to give you a raise, huh?”
Celestine immediately pressed her palms together in mock gratitude. “Boss, you’re too generous.”
The two of them burst out laughing in unison.
Once she’d confirmed there was prize money, Celestine felt more at ease.
She’d been putting off her promise to assist Mr. Shield with his surgery.
1/3
15:00
Chapter 126
Lately, they’d been seeing each other more and more often, and it was starting to feel a little strange.
So, aside from the investment, Celestine had her own reasons for wanting to enter the competition.
The sooner she got the prize, the sooner she could repay her debt of gratitude.
Better to settle things quickly than risk getting entangled too deeply–if Mrs. Prescott ever came knocking, she wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.
Three peaceful days slipped by.
That morning, Celestine glanced again at the little chick meme Gideon had sent her three hours ago.
She still didn’t get it.
In the end, she pretended she hadn’t seen it.
Back at her desk, Celestine set down her neatly organized drafts.
Out of habit, she wiped her mouse clean, but then she noticed the tiny mouse figurine and the mousepad underneath weren’t perfectly lined up.
Her obsessive side flared.
Every item on her desk had its own exact spot, lined up just so.
For a brief moment, her gaze darkened.
Maybe someone had just brushed past and nudged it by accident.
She booted up her computer and uploaded her latest drafts to the cloud.
Flossie bounded out of the break room, clutching her mug, chattering excitedly, “Oh my god, can you believe Joanna actually livestreamed herself melting down her solid gold Magnolia Award? She even threw in an extra fifty grand and donated it all to the Blossom Care Foundation–the one Mirabelle’s been promoting!”
Celestine paused mid–sketch, raising an eyebrow.
What a clever move for damage control.
Using the banner of charity to shift the public’s outrage onto a group of unfortunate kids.
Now, even if Joanna’s scandals exploded again, there’d always be someone ready to defend her.
15.00 AUT
Chapter 126
“Joanna sacrifices for the cause, true heroism!” Flossie read aloud, mimicking the online praise.
Sure enough, the buzz about Joanna stealing the dress and the Magnolia Award had been eclipsed by talk of the Blossom Care Foundation.
Celestine had seen this kind of PR stunt before, back when she was at Chester’s
company.
That time, his cousin had abused his position and coerced several female employees at Fordham Group.
A dozen women had spoken out online, sending Fordham Group’s stock into freefall.
Back then, Chester wasn’t even the head of the Fordham family yet.
Then, a major earthquake struck Riverdale City, and the Fordham family leapt at the chance for redemption–donating five million dollars in the cousin’s name.
Chester and his cousin even went to Riverdale themselves to help with disaster relief, making a public show of their resolve. Only then did Fordham Group’s battered reputation start to recover.
Gaper: 12/
Cha
