Chapter 72
“Ms. Dolton, I believe it’s basic courtesy not to use a phone during an interview.” The woman’s dissatisfied voice carried across the table.
Veronica smiled, noticing the frozen frame of Vege Samurai lingering on the screen as the woman closed the game. She did not argue. Instead, she said, “Apologies, Ms. Geller.”
Only then did Coco glance up and give her a proper look. “Clothes make the man, I suppose. The company really went out of its way to find you such a flattering outfit.”
“Shall we begin?” Veronica replied patiently.
Coco set her laptop aside, her expression blank. “Why the rush? Before we officially start, I’d like to discuss a few topics.”
“Go ahead.”
“Ms. Dolton, after all this time away from the spotlight, what made you suddenly return to the career you once abandoned? Was it a marital crisis?”
“That seems irrelevant to the theme of this interview.”
“Fine. Then let’s talk about something relevant.” Coco’s smirk deepened, as if she had anticipated Veronica’s deflection.
She continued, “Ms. Dolton, the moment you returned, you managed to secure a collaboration with Heberly. Is that really the result of a designer who’s been inactive and unknown for six years? Was it your work that drew them in, or your body?”
There was nothing subtle about the question. Coco might as well have called Veronica a gold- digger who used her body to her advantage.
This no longer had anything to do with being “sharp–tongued” or it being a “joke“, as the staff had mentioned. It was sheer hostility.
Veronica smiled calmly and said, “Ms. Geller, you seem unusually interested in my personal life. I’m curious. Have you actually taken a look at my designs?”
“Of course,” Coco replied coolly, clearly annoyed by her attempt at changing the topic. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
However, Veronica did not respond and simply maintained her poised smile.
Coco grew even more certain that Veronica was hiding something. “Fine. Silence is considered an answer too. I’ve seen plenty of designers like you who rely on their kind of ‘skills‘ in this industry. I didn’t expect to find one at a brand like Heberly. Honestly, it’s quite disappointing.‘
Her eyes swept over Veronica with undisguised disdain. She had no choice but to accept this interview assignment from her higher–ups, but she could still make it miserable for Veronica.
Chapter 72
She figured that if Veronica had any self–awareness, she would walk away.
If she didn’t, a public outburst from her would make things easier to handle.
Coco flipped open her script perfunctorily, waiting for Veronica to lash out. However, she heard the latter ask her a casual question instead
“Ms. Geller, do you like the outfit you’re wearing today?”
“I do,” Coco answered.
It was a custom suit from an indie designer. She had fallen in love with it at first sight in a boutique, even though it was an old design from six years ago. Many people thought women in suits looked stiff and boring, and this style had never been considered mainstream.
Coco smirked inwardly. She didn’t doubt that Veronica was trying to make some snide comment about her poor taste.
“I see. Thank you for appreciating my work.” Veronica smiled gently, not showing a hint of anger in her expression. .
“What? What did you just say?” Coco froze for two seconds, then snapped, “You’re not seriously claiming you designed this, are you? That suit is by a designer named Smile. Sure, she faded from the scene six years ago, but that doesn’t mean you get to ride her coattails.”
Veronica didn’t get offended. Instead, she reminded kindly, “Try checking the inner seam of the left sleeve.”
This suit was part of a limited women’s collection she had designed for an indie brand specializing in bespoke suits, before she left the industry. The moment Coco walked in, Veronica recognized it.
Fashion changed fast, but after all these years, someone was still wearing her design. Veronica was quite moved to see that, even though this woman clearly harbored a deep bias against her.
Coco hesitated, then lifted the sleeve to check.
Inside the cuff, a delicate cloud–shaped embroidery had been stitched into the lining. It was something she had never noticed before. When she looked closer, the strokes formed the letters “VD“.
“There’s no way you designed this,” Coco sputtered.
“I have no reason to lie about something that can be easily verified,” Veronica said as she rose from her seat.
Coco opened her mouth, struggling to respond. She could not refute it.
Unless there were unusual circumstances, designers did not need to hide their identities. All it would take was a little digging to confirm the truth.
