Charles and Henry took action immediately, wasting no time for anybody.
Charles's assistant guided her through the top eight floors of the Laurent headquarters, reintroducing her to key personnel as the new manager of the Modernization and Innovation Taskforce.
The murmurs of curiosity and surprise did not go unnoticed. When some found her to be a nepo kid who got a position due to her blood, some were surprised to hear she was taking the new team responsibility.
Though she was taking the job to stop Damien, she was determined to bring justice to the position. She wisely ignored the judgmental gazes.
At last, they reached the office assigned to the Modernisation and Innovation taskforce.
Aveline took in the space, pale, undecorated, and lifeless. The two-story section had yet to find its identity, and from the way the five team members immediately stood upon her arrival, she could already tell the news of her appointment had reached them.
"I will take it from here forward," Aveline whispered to Charles' assistant, who hesitated briefly but ultimately followed her instruction and left.
As Aveline stepped further inside, her heels clicked against the hardwood floor, filling the silent space with quiet authority. She reached for a portable whiteboard, dragging it along with her as she stopped in front of the team, which was a mix of young blood and experienced minds.
"Manager Laurent."
One by one, they greeted her, their voices carrying a mixture of awe for her looks, hesitation because of her family name, and uncertainty because of her unknown capabilities.
Aveline nodded at them as she placed her bag on the nearest desk. Her eyes scanned them with a thoughtful expression. "We will introduce ourselves shortly, but first, have you all visited the design department?" It was the most important department of the whole Laurents Industries.
The question caught the team slightly off guard. They looked at each other without understanding the reason behind her question.
All the while, Aveline grabbed a pen and used it as a hair bun pin to tie her hair, just to make her look approachable so that the team could open up and accept her as a manager.
Then she grabbed markers and stood in front of the team with her back facing the board.
One of the team members spoke when he met her eyes. "We have."
"Good." Aveline nodded, "And what did you notice about its interior?" Her tone was pleasant but firm.
"The inspiring quotes on the walls."
"The beautiful paintings."
"Indoor plants."
"The play area."
"The resting zone."
Aveline smiled when each one mentioned the part they liked. "And why do you think those elements are there?"
A brief silence followed after her question, and Aveline patiently waited, knowing each member of the team was excellent in their own way.
"They help with creativity," someone eventually answered.
"Exactly. Those weren't random decorations—they were intentional choices to keep the designers inspired and motivated." She gestured around their space. "Where is your inspiration for innovation?"
Another silence. Some exchanged glances.
"Well," The only lady on the team said, "We wanted to focus on work." Hence, they refused to the HR department about interior design.
Aveline chuckled softly, "Spaces have the power to inspire, to heal, and to transform us. They can elevate our mood, spark creativity, and bring people together."
She drew a rough outline of the office layout as she asked, "So shall we design our space?" She hummed and wrote, "I will start first, I love indoor plants."
The team, initially confused, slowly began interacting more actively.
"I prefer a minimal yet elevated look."
"Me too… Black, grey, and earthy tones for an elevated look."
"Amazing…" Aveline responded as she made points at the corner of the board.
"Two kinds of sitting areas. One, professional and cozy. Cozy corner helps me brainstorm."
"Hey, we can't forget the desk area."
Laughter echoed through the group, and for the first time, the weight of uncertainty lifted, and they accepted her as manager.
Henry Laurent arrived at the entrance to witness his daughter complete the first task of knowing the team and leading them, without forcing herself on them.
The room, which had felt so dull, now carried laughter, ideas, and an air of excitement to work. A small, proud smile touched Henry's lips. He wanted to use his authority to smooth her position, but she was more capable than they knew. He turned to the man beside him.
"Mike, I don't want to disturb them. Join them."
Mike Wilson, the man Henry chose to assist Aveline. He gave a polite nod and bid the chairman.
He stood them and studied Aveline. His task was to guide Aveline with all the processes and take care of her.
Though it was just a team she would be leading, he would rather suggest she drop her cheerful attitude and be more stern to handle other managers and the board members. Her lively personality might give the wrong impression, making her seem frivolous.
At the end, Aveline roughly designed the floors and took a picture of the board, and sent it to the HR department. "This will take three days minimum. So let's go. I will bring all of you somewhere."
And then Aveline noticed Mike standing there quietly. She identified him easily. "Mr. Wilson." She greeted him with a subtle smile.
Mike had worked as Henry's assistant for over a decade. Then he was transferred to the R&D department after her father retired as CEO and became the chairman.
"Lesson number one," Mike said sternly, watching her. "Be a leader, but don't take the lead to start the conversation. A deliberate pause, an intent look made your presence more powerful." Mike was in the role to teach her.
Aveline: "..."
A flicker of surprise crossed her face.
Then Mike flashed her a smile to ease her into the lesson. He had seen Aveline grow from a bright but restrained girl into the poised woman standing before him now. He never thought she could convince her father and enter the business.
"Queenmaker– that's my job, isn't it?"
Aveline let out a quiet exhale. If she were to be seen as a true leader, Mike was right. She couldn't just inspire people, she had to command them.
'Queenmaker!?' She was glad Mike, with such high expertise, took the assistant role in a positive way.
"It is." Aveline responded, "I appreciate each lesson, whether it's small or big." Aveline responded.
"Happy cooperation." Mike extended his hand and smiled when she didn't shake his hand like a delicate girl, but with a firm, brief, and precise handshake.
The moment was broken by a sharp voice from the entrance.
"Happy in dreams."
Aveline froze. Her fingers curled into a tight fist, steeling herself as she turned towards the doorway.
Margaret Laurent.
The world saw Henry Laurent as the strict parent, but only Aveline knew how unyielding her mother truly was.
Walking in, Margaret was a vision of grace and control. Her graying brown hair was styled to perfection, her warm brown eyes devoid of warmth at this moment. She was always a woman of excellent taste, but she was also a woman of unshakable expectations.
"Mom." Aveline greeted, her voice smooth, though her muscles tensed.
Floral artistry was something Aveilne loved and even won in a competition. However, her mother found it degrading. Thus, in the name of event management, Aveline wanted to master her artistry.
However, her mother let her study business management in the process of making her the perfect bride who had high quality education and seamless etiquette. However, Aveline failed her mother in cooking and socializing with the high society.
Though her father let her enter the company under pressure from Celeste and Damien, her mother?
Mike was quick to grasp that Margaret Laurent was against Aveline's decision. He lowered his head as a greeting and took steps away to give them space.
Against the soft voice of Aveline, Margaret lowered her voice and firmly said, "Let's get out of here, Lina."
Aveline swiftly pulled her hand away before Margaret could grab her. Her voice remained calm and unwavering, "No, Mom. I won't let you control my life anymore."
Margaret was stunned after hearing Aveline outright reject her. She couldn't quite believe her ears.
Her eyes narrowed when she composed. Her low voice cut like a blade, "Don't forget, Aveline. Every decision I've made for you has led to the life you have now. Don't ruin it." She was aware of Celeste and Damien's call to Henry.
Aveline swallowed down the retort that burned her tongue. How she wished she could tell her mother that the man she chose for her was having an affair.
But not yet. Margaret will learn everything soon. And when she did, Aveline would make sure her mother understood how the world runs.
Regaining her composure due to the eyes of her team, "Go to the parking. I will be there in a few minutes." She instructed.
Margaret clenched her jaw at the dismissal, but she held back from causing a scene. She waited until they were alone and snapped, "Aveline."
"Mom," Her voice stern, without holding any emotions in her gaze. "Thank you for always thinking and doing the best for me. Here forward, as the wife of Damien Ashford, I will choose what is best for me and my life."
That triggered Margaret to another level, yet Aveline looked at her mother without hesitation.
Margaret hissed at her, "If you insist, so be it. Go tell that to your mother-in-law."
Aveline froze.
Margaret looked at Aveline with a deep frown, "Why am I even talking to you? I will find your father first." She turned her heels. She added a warning at last, "You will regret this, Lina."
Aveline, however, was shaking.
'Her mother-in-law.'
Her mind reeled with numerous foul memories of her mother-in-law. The woman who wanted a social butterfly daughter-in-law, the woman who had cursed Aveline's existence after she fainted on Damien's birthday dinner.
But how did she get to know?
Obviously. Damien.
Damien played behind the scenes yet again. He provoked his mother, and his mother triggered her mother.
Hard luck, Aveline wasn't going to let him take the upper hand using their mothers.
Aveline pulled out the invitation card from her handbag and extended it towards Mike, "RSVP yes." Aveline's lips curled into a sinister smirk.
Doesn't he want to acknowledge her publicly?
She would drop him to his knees.
Mike quickly accepted the card, a small smile touching his lips. She was learning to make people serve her. "Yes, Manager Laurent."
Without another word, Aveline strode out of the office, Mike following behind as he began typing the RSVP email.
–––––
Her team and Mike took the company car, and Aveline drove her own to avoid answering calls from her father or mother, or brother in their presence.
Thus consumed by her thoughts, she failed to notice the car tailing her.
She had just pulled into the basement parking of Power-Lunchers, the coworking space she had rented, when a BMW suddenly veered in front of her.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Screech.
She slammed on the brakes, her one hand gripping the wheel and another pulling the handbrake lever. The impact of the near collision shook through her bones.
Her pulse pounded against her ribs as she stared at the driver's side of the BMW when the door opened.
And a lissom figure stepped out, her bodycon dress embracing her every curve, blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Swaying her hips like it was her personal runway, she graced a mesmeric smile on her gorgeous face.
Vivienne Sinclair.