Though the envelope weighed heavily in her hands, she had to set it aside. Her father and brother were waiting for her. Thinking she would have to plan her next steps later, she made her way to the top floor where her brother's office was.
"Am I late?" Aveline asked, stepping into the room, looking at the man behind the desk.
Henry Laurent.
He was tall and had an imposing figure, with salt-and-pepper hair and steely gray eyes. His expression was stern with an air of authority and disappointment flickered when he met Aveline's gaze.
Her eyes darted towards the couch where her brother sat, flipping through a file.
Charles Laurent.
He was a mirror image of their father in his appearance. Instead of meeting her eyes with disappointment, his eyes twinkled with mischief. He winked, silently telling her to relax.
He was the only one who had ever encouraged her to join the company, to build a career rather than wasting away at meaningless social gatherings with women who lived for gossip.
Aveline pretended to check her watch and gasped dramatically, "There are still ten more minutes."
However, Henry noticed the coffee tumbler in her hand. His brows furrowed, "Caffeine, Lina." His voice carried that familiar edge of disapproval.
He had never approved of her habit of drinking black coffee, especially not in moments of stress. He always believed women should prioritize their health, eat fruits, and leave the troubles of business to men.
"Err…" Aveline faltered for half a second. She had indeed been stressed due to Damien, but she needed coffee due to Elias Hawthrone's appearance. She wouldn't admit that. Instead, she sulked lightly, "I was scared you'd scold me, Dad."
"With your backers!?" Charles interjected, smirking. He was impressed by his sister's move.
Aveline barely managed to suppress her smile. Henry rarely went against his mother's wishes, and now, with Damien playing the role of indulgent husband, Henry was left with little ground to oppose her decision.
Henry sighed, rubbing his temple. "You have learnt to tie my hands." He cued Aveline to reach him.
Aveline took that as a sign of acceptance from her father. Quickly, she pulled a chair around the desk, just like she used to when she was younger, eager to learn from him.
Amused, Charles shook his head. She had always been more curious than him when it came to business. While he had long accepted his role as heir to Laurent Industries, Aveline had been the one genuinely curious about the internal workings of their empire. He focused on the file, letting the father and daughter duo discuss.
To Aveline's relief, her father didn't seem offended that she had bypassed him by going through Celeste and Damien. Instead, he was prepared to guide her.
Henry slightly turned the monitor slightly towards Aveline. He explained about the ongoing projects, then asked her about the department she was interested in and he explained the possible position they could create for her or she could take.
"So, what is your choice, Lina?"
Both Henry and Charles fully expected her to choose the fashion department. But Aveline had different plans.
"I would like to be part of the Modernization & Innovation Taskforce," Aveline responded without hesitation. That team would be responsible for business relations between Ashfords and Laurents.
Charles's brow arched in surprise. Henry, too, looked momentarily puzzled. The Taskforce was relatively new, still in the process of finding its structure. It wasn't an ideal place for Aveline to learn.
Instead of rejecting her outright, Henry asked, "Why?"
Charles left his seat and leaned against the desk, ready to listen to her.
Aveline's eyes held quite a determination, "Dad, do you remember my final year thesis in Business management?" She asked.
Henry leaned back slightly, intrigued.
Aveline continued without waiting for a response, "It was 'The Impact of Modernization on the Quality of Luxury Product Production: Innovation vs. Craftsmanship.' The world is fast paced but Luxury isn't about speed. Why are we forgetting Laurents valued Craftsmanship and exclusivity?"
Henry's lips pressed together in thought. They weren't forgetting their legacy, they were considering modernization if it could be useful. Nevertheless, he countered, "Modernization and innovation give us space for creativity."
"True." Aveline nodded, "But I'm not speaking against innovation, just modernization. A machine could perfect the stitch and cut, but another machine could also replicate the same. If we rely too much on automation, our uniqueness fades."
Dupes of their designs will flood the market, and soon, the people who couldn't afford their products will question the prestige of Laurent.
Charles folded his arms and asked, "When you are strongly against modernization, why choose that team?" It didn't make sense to them.
Aveline knew the future of the Laurents, and the history of Laurents. So her voice was steady, "There is a saying, true connoisseurs seek artistry. I want to make sure our Laurent doesn't become a mass-producing perfection but remains a house of craftsmanship where each imperfection tells the story behind it."
Henry's lips curled into a pleased smile, "In the true essence of the Laurent." He was impressed by his daughter.
"The true Laurent." Aveline echoes.
She was going to maintain their authenticity so that Damien fails to persuade the team into modernization to get into the company.
Charles exhaled, shaking his head in admiration, "Dad, we won't find anyone better than Lina to lead the Modernization and Innovation Taskforce."
Instead of succumbing to the pressure of modernization, they need the one who knows the Laurents and use the technology in favor of them, rather than depending on it.
Aveline: "..."
Her throat tightened. A lead? She had a master's degree in business, but she never had hands-on experience.
Could she lead a team?
Organize tasks for team members?
Handle all that paperwork without guidance?
She quickly shook her head, "Dad," Uncertainty crept into her voice, "I can be an assistant to the team lead and learn first."
Henry studied her for a long moment before reaching out and patting her head, "It's my mistake." That she feels incapable of leading a team.
Aveline blinked, "What?"
What was her father talking about?
Henry rose from his seat. "I will get you an excellent assistant, Lina." He already had a person in mind. "You will be the manager of the Modernization and Innovation Taskforce. You will report directly to Charles and me."
Aveline was stunned... She turned to Charles for support, but he was already smiling, clearly celebrating.
Henry took another long look at his daughter, "I'm sorry, Lina." His voice softer than before, warmth in his usual authoritative tone,, "I should have taken your passion for Grace and Bloom more seriously."
He had assumed she was just bored and wanted something to pass the time - A distraction. But she wasn't a child anymore. "I won't make that mistake again." He promised.
Aveline: "..."
She watched as Henry exited the office, leaving her with Charles. "Bro, Dad was supposed to scold me and send me to the HR to waste time." She mumbled, still processing what had just happened.
Charles let out a hearty laugh. Even he thought the same until he heard Aveline speak about modernization.
Taking the seat behind the desk, he flicked on her forehead. "My silly sister, you never fought and spoke for what you wanted. You just accepted everything as a form of respect."
Aveline pouted. She had no comeback. She always avoided conflict when it came to family. And now?
She has to battle against Damien.
Charles hummed, pretending to think for a moment, "After being a successful manager, become a CEO. You work, and I will enjoy being Chairman with one meeting a season."
"You wish." Aveline scoffed, getting up from her seat. "I want to be out in the open, mastering floral arts, arranging events. Not cooped up in an office." She shuddered, imagining her whole life on a single seat.
Charles smiled at her definition of freedom. However, he reminded her, "But now, you are stuck in the office, Madam." and he chuckled.
Aveline let out a long sigh, sinking into a chair, making him laugh again.
She sat there, letting the weight of the moment settle in slowly.
Everything was working out too smoothly. Too perfectly.
She had expected resistance, fights, arguments, and obstacles, but instead, doors were opening without much effort.
Celeste supported her, Damien unknowingly played into her hands, and now, her father had given her an important role in the company.
It was all happening so seamlessly that a faint unease began creeping up her spine.
Nothing should be effortless in a battle.
A slow chill traced down her spine as she tapped her fingers against the armrest, her mind whispering a warning she couldn't quite place.
"What am I missing?"