Chapter 78
Selina returned to her room and retrieved her work phone—a device strictly for business. Another message from the enigmatic Angel. And another unknown number. Why was her contact information suddenly so widely disseminated? Trevon’s pursuit was one thing—he had extensive connections, making obtaining someone's number trivial. But Angel’s identity was shrouded in mystery; their contact details were akin to a state secret for a jewelry company. Selina massaged her temples, exasperated. “These companies need to improve security. The number of information leaks is infuriating.”
Since Selina had decided to partner with Brilliance, she had no need for other calls. She was about to block the new number when a text appeared: “[Timothy Clark, Vice President of the Clark Group, would like to propose a collaboration project between our subsidiary, Clark Jewelry, and you. It would be an honor to work with you.]”
Timothy? Selina burst into laughter. The man was practically begging for rejection. After a brief pause, she replied: “[Busy. Not interested.]”
But Timothy persisted: “[Give me one chance. I'm sure we can strike a beneficial deal.]”
Selina responded sharply: “[The Clark Group’s jewelry subsidiary isn’t well-known. You’re not at the level to discuss a partnership with me. Gain more experience.]” Timothy, undeterred, replied: “[With me at the helm, it’s bound to gain fame and meet your expectations.]”
His brazen confidence made Selina laugh. So young, yet so full of bravado, clearly unaware of the phrase “biting off more than you can chew.”
Deciding on a bit of psychological maneuvering, Selina waited before replying. By now, Timothy must be anxiously awaiting her response, too afraid to call for fear of further alienating her.
After prolonging the suspense, Selina finally sent her message: “[If you’re so determined to work with me, prove it. The next Jewelry Design Contest in Sokovisis is a week away. Since you’re so confident, Clark Jewelry will participate to make a name for itself, right? Win first place in this local contest and demonstrate your company’s strength, then I’ll consider a partnership.]”
Timothy breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving Angel's message—a sign he hadn't been dismissed entirely. His concern, however, was that Angel might change their mind on a whim. After reading Angel’s message, his brow furrowed slightly. A city-level Jewelry Design Contest was approaching, and none of the established brands—neither century-old companies nor major international names—were participating in Sokovisis. The real challenge was Brilliance, the subsidiary fueled by Trevon's Insight Group's investments. Trevon's involvement had propelled Brilliance to phenomenal success in recent years. It was Timothy's biggest competitor, and their participation was a certainty. Winning first place, and thus securing the collaboration with Angel, meant surpassing Trevon.
Taking a deep breath, Timothy composed himself. His reply was immediate and decisive: “[Of course, we can.]” This was his one chance to collaborate with Angel. Securing Angel's limited-edition design would propel Clark Jewelry into the limelight. As for competing with Brilliance, Timothy already had a plan.
Angel texted back: “[By the way, Brilliance has also approached me, and Trevon is leading the negotiations. The outcome of this competition will determine which of you I’ll partner with.]”
Timothy thought, Damn Trevon! He had made the first move. Fortunately, with Quinton’s swift assistance, Timothy had secured Angel’s contact information before Trevon could finalize an exclusive deal. If Trevon succeeded, adding Angel's collaboration to Brilliance's arsenal would make them unstoppable—a force Clark Jewelry couldn't easily contend with.
This contest wasn't merely a race for dominance in Sokovisis' jewelry scene. When Timothy returned home to attend to the Clark Group's affairs, his choice of the jewelry industry was specifically to compete with Trevon—to determine who was truly superior.
Going head-to-head with the massive Insight Group was impractical. Brilliance, only a few years under Trevon's leadership, was the true battleground. Victory would prove Timothy's superiority over Trevon, convincing the Clark Group's board to support him, paving his path to becoming the ultimate leader of the empire. Trevon, Angel... they were merely stepping stones on Timothy's path to building a commercial dynasty.
After his conversation with Angel, an eager Timothy immediately called Manuel.
Meanwhile, Manuel's realization hit hard upon his release on bail by Quinton and Timothy—he had lost the lawsuit. He had lost to Selina, completely and utterly. Not wanting to burden his family, Manuel excused himself to his room after dinner, claiming he needed rest. There, he sat alone, staring into space, his turmoil unabated.
Manuel, one of the Harvey family's five elite heirs, had lived a privileged life. He had never known failure; every endeavor had been successful, firmly supported by his family. His family relationships were remarkably harmonious, lacking the backstabbing common in other elite dynasties. His life was the envy of many. Manuel had always expected this bright path to continue. But then came this blemish on his record—detention, a stain that refused to fade.
In frustration, Manuel slammed his fist on the desk. The trophy from the Jewelry Design Contest on the desk nearly toppled. "Dammit… Selina, this humiliation—I'll never forgive you! Never!" he swore through clenched teeth. His days and nights in detention had been torturous, leaving him sleepless. The stale air, inadequate facilities, and unpalatable food were viscerally repulsive. Even if his family erased this blight from his record, the experience was permanently etched in his memory. He couldn't forget it, all thanks to his despised sister, that traitor, Selina!
Just then, his phone rang, jolting Manuel from his thoughts. Seeing it was Timothy, Manuel's lips tightened. He answered, "Timothy, I'm sorry, I'm not in a good mood today. Can we talk tomorrow?"
"I have something important to tell you, Manuel," Timothy's earnest voice replied. "As mentioned, Clark Jewelry is entering the Sokovisis Jewelry Design Contest. Could you represent our group as our contestant?"