Renee was about to explode from anger. Fuming, she stormed out of the conference room.
Courtney didn’t even blink as she was used to it.
“Veronica, don’t take it to heart. That’s Renee Pascar, one of our senior designers. She joined the company the winter you left. She’s not a bad person. She’s just blunt. I think you two were in the same graduating class.”
Renee Pascar? Veronica didn’t recall the name.
But judging by the timing, she figured that Renee had probably filled her role after she left. At that thought, Veronica thought that Renee must be quite skillful and understood why she might feel a bit resentful about someone parachuting in.
However, Veronica had no intention of indulging her attitude either.
Courtney chuckled. “Still, watching you stand your ground against her really brought back the
old Smile. I missed that fire.”
Back in college, Veronica had once lost points on a design assignment for a detail she disagreed with:
She had chased down the department’s most notoriously stubborn professor and debated him for three days straight. Ultimately, the professor gave in and revised her grade.
From that day on, the fiery art school student was a campus legend. But years later, Veronica had lost that fire. She had accepted far too much without putting up a fight.
Veronica laughed out loud. “I didn’t expect you to remember my dark history.”
“Dark? That was a glorious path.”
Courtney later shared the story with a few interns from Cresthill College’s art program. As expected, their admiration for her practically lit up the room.
“Ms. Dolton, Professor Klein is known for being rigid, and you actually got him to give you your marks back? That’s insane!”
“Is he still doing okay?” Veronica asked, looking a little wistful.
Back before graduation, their professor, Daniel Klein, had genuinely believed that she would. shine in the design industry. He had placed great hopes on her.
But instead, she left the field, got married, and let him down. They hadn’t been in touch since.
“He’s doing great! He’s still healthy! But every year, he uses the example of a senior as a cautionary tale, warning us not to fall for love too easily, or it’ll ruin our careers! Professor Klein actually keeps up with trends, can you believe that?”
Chapter 53
The intern rambled on, totally unaware that the very cautionary tale of that love–brained senior Professor Klein mentioned was standing right in front of her.
Courtney cleared her throat and leaned in. “Veronica, she doesn’t know. She means no offense.
11
“It’s fine. I’m not that petty,” Veronica said, smiling even more. She was genuinely doing fine
now.
If people could joke about her story, it meant that she’d finally made peace with it. And if her failed marriage could serve as a warning to others, then at least it hadn’t all been for nothing.
Courtney added, “Oh, right. There’s another senior designer named Miranda Sinclair. She’s out on a business trip for an overseas fashion show. But when she heard you were coming back, she was thrilled. I’ll introduce you two when she returns. She’s great.”
“Sounds good.”
་་
Veronica’s desk was set up beside the interns from Cresthill College. One of them was a young woman with shoulder–length hair and sun–kissed skin. Two dimples would appear when she smiled. It was warm and endearing.
She approached Veronica to greet her. “Hi, Ms. Dolton! You can call me Felicia.”
Veronica nodded politely. “You can call me Smile or Veronica.”
“Then, I’ll call you Veronica. You’re amazing! I can’t believe Heberly picked three of your designs for their launch, and you made the front page! May I see your designs?”
Felicia Stone was brimming with admiration for Veronica.
Renee, who was passing by holding a glass of water, ground her teeth silently. “Brownnoser,” she muttered under her breath.
Felicia turned around, her expression one of innocent curiosity. “Ms. Pascar, is there anyone with a brown nose in the office?”
“No.”
“Then, why did you say ‘brownnoser‘ when you walked past me?”
Veronica, who was sipping on her water, nearly choked. It turned out that sincerity was indeed the ultimate weapon.
