Chapter 81
The elevator doors opened on the thirtieth floor, and as Andrew and Selina stepped out, Christina eagerly approached with a beaming smile. "Selina, I don't have your WhatsApp number yet. We're practically family now; meeting like this feels fated! There's a wonderful restaurant nearby. Let's go! I'd love to get to know you better. How did you ever…" she began, trailing off.
"First, call me Selina. No need for formalities. I dislike being addressed otherwise by strangers. Second, adding me to WhatsApp isn't a given. It's not a reflection on you, but as Madelyn's cousin, you've probably heard about my temperament. I'm direct and don't beat around the bush. No hard feelings," Selina replied, leaving Christina speechless. Selina then walked away with Andrew.
Hannah, regaining her composure, clenched her fists in fury. That woman! She had repeatedly snubbed Christina's friendly advances without the slightest courtesy. Just as Madelyn described, Selina was a conceited upstart who looked down on everyone. Christina was convinced Selina's luck would run out; she would fall from grace and become a doormat.
Andrew glanced at Selina with admiration. "Mrs. Brady certainly knows how to hold her ground, even with the Hudson family," he remarked.
Flipping a strand of hair behind her ear, Selina replied nonchalantly, "Showing them kindness is my husband's decision. One condition of marrying Trevon was never having to play by anyone else's rules, including his."
Andrew admired her. Selina's confidence stemmed partly from being a top dark web hacker—a heavyweight world leaders could only dream of having on their side. The Hudson family was insignificant to her; crossing her was playing with fire.
Still, Andrew found it hard to believe this influential figure was a twenty-one-year-old woman who hadn't finished middle school. He sensed her captivating beauty was only part of her allure; there was an unmatched presence emanating from her absolute self-assurance.
Upon their arrival at the office, the designers working on new project proposals immediately stopped. Andrew commanded immense respect. The office was filled with glamorous people, but one man caught Selina's attention. A six-foot-tall man in a haphazardly tucked white shirt, jeans, flip-flops, and thick-rimmed glasses, his long bangs and radiant skin even made Selina envious. He rose from his cluttered desk, ruffled his hair, and asked with ease, "What brings you here?"
"Derrick, I mentioned this on the phone. This is Selina. Mr. Brady has decided she'll join our team for the Sokovis Jewelry Design Contest in six days. She's here to familiarize herself with the office," Andrew explained.
Silence fell over the office. Brilliance's designers glared at Selina with hostility. Even Christina, who had followed them, froze in shock.
"She's participating? Are you joking?" Derrick sized Selina up, frowning deeply. "Design isn't just about looks. To represent Brilliance, you need skill and a portfolio! We were all handpicked for our talent. Andrew, you know this. Did Mr. Brady forget his promise?"
"Of course not," Andrew replied smoothly. "Mr. Brady and Ms. Harvey made their intentions clear; she'll get a chance to prove herself. Everyone at Brilliance earned their place, and merit will speak for itself. Her participation depends on Ms. Harvey's work."
Andrew turned to Selina. "Ms. Harvey, is that acceptable to you?"
"A beautiful response, thank you," Selina said.
Despite Andrew's deference, everyone wondered about Selina's true identity. Could she be a world-renowned prodigy who had caught Trevon's eye? They'd never heard of her. In this office, work spoke loudest. Apart from Derrick, they'd never been impressed by anyone and relied on their talent to compete for awards and advancement.
Selina using her connection to Trevon to secure a spot in the Sokovis Jewelry Design Contest wouldn't sit well with Derrick or the others. If things went poorly, many might leave Brilliance—a cost Trevon surely understood.
Christina clenched her teeth. Was this the same distant, calculating, and dignified Trevon she knew? Even if Selina possessed impressive talents, it shouldn't have blinded Trevon to such blatant favoritism, disrupting the team's hierarchy for a competition entry. It was a mockery, especially since that spot was Christina's ticket to advancement.
Since Andrew and Selina insisted on proving themselves through skill, no one could object. Derrick, rubbing his temples, conceded. "If that's your wish, I have nothing more to say. Special privileges won't cut it without real work. Everyone here aims to compete, and there are only two slots. Want a shot? Earn second place in the design department. Fail, and not even Trevon can change that."
"Pleasure doing business with you, Derrick," Selina said with a faint smile, extending her hand.
Derrick, momentarily admiring her stunning beauty, couldn't help but admit she was attractive. But if she thought she could sway him with charm, she was mistaken.
Out of courtesy, he shook her hand. She leaned in and whispered, "It's not just the runner-up who competes, right? The first place is already decided, isn't it?"