Chapter 59
A surge of displeasure gripped Lukas. Advancing to the head of the table, he spoke icily, “Aren’t we here for a meeting? Or has this room transformed into a marketplace for idle chatter?”
The room had already fallen silent when Lukas entered; his outburst only deepened the silence.
Cole locked his gaze on Lukas, addressing the tension. “I apologize, Mr. Strakovski. I should have managed things more effectively.”
Lukas huffed, his impatience palpable. “Let’s begin the meeting.”
His dissatisfaction lingered as he directed Cole to present the last quarter’s summary and the design department’s forthcoming development plan. Cole, fortunately, was prepared and handled these topics adeptly.
Once Cole finished his presentation, Lukas resumed. “Three pivotal points anchor Strakovski Jewelry’s Design Department. First, leverage various competitions to elevate your individual reputation, thereby solidifying the company’s recognition of your skills. Second, deliver design drafts tailored to your strengths for the upcoming quarter’s product releases.”
Silence reigned. Being relatively new to the company, I wasn’t entirely acquainted with the nuances of Strakovski’s Design Department. However, it seemed Lukas’s words were directed at me.
Lukas pressed on, his tone unbending. “The last, and most crucial, point is personalized customization. Each designer at Strakovski Jewelry holds private clients. Your task is to craft personalized jewelry designs based on their specifications. This remains our high-end design repertoire. If any of you lack private clients or struggle with specific requirements, I suggest you take the initiative to enhance your understanding.”
Lukas cast an almost imperceptible glance in my direction. While others might have missed it, I didn’t. I grasped the unspoken communication—Lukas was addressing me. As the newest member, who else but I lacked private clients?
Unspoken Farewell at 30,000 Feet
Despite my inward reaction, Lukas persisted, his gaze grazing me again. “Furthermore, an announcement for this assembly. After thorough deliberation among the company’s top echelons, it has been unanimously concluded that Designer Lopez’s work is original and free from plagiarism. Consequently, we have decided to have her represent Strakovski Jewelry in the ongoing Century Jewelry Competition! Are there any objections?”
Lukas’s proclamation met with continued silence. Everyone was aware of the stringent qualifications for the Century Jewelry Competition. Even after five years at Strakovski, many might not meet the criteria. My sudden inclusion naturally stirred envy among my colleagues.
Cole stepped forward, his voice carrying conviction. “Mr. Strakovski, the design department holds no objections, and I have full faith in Designer Lopez’s capabilities.”
Lukas responded with a cold snort. “Meeting adjourned. Director Hopkins, come to my office later.” He strode purposefully toward the exit. Cole greeted me briefly before following Lukas.
Third POV
Once in Lukas’s office, he turned to Cole. A peculiar tone threaded through his words. “What do you think of Sophia?”
“Isn’t she a recruit personally appointed by you, Mr. Strakovski?” Cole was taken aback.
A faint shadow crossed Lukas’s countenance. He shed his coat, tossed it onto a nearby sofa, and paced toward his desk. “You two seem rather close. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were the one who brought her in.”
Cole’s eyes flickered slightly, unsure of Lukas’s attitude toward Sophia. During the meeting, Lukas had given Sophia an opportunity by allowing her to participate in the Century Jewelry Competition, while simultaneously highlighting her lack of private clients. Was this Lukas’s new approach to managing his subordinates—providing openings while simultaneously dealing blows?
Observing Cole’s silence, Lukas let out a light scoff. “Why are you hesitating to answer? Is my question that challenging?”
“I only learned this morning that the new designer is Sophia!” Cole hastened to clarify.
“You knew her before?” Lukas’s brows furrowed slightly, detecting something in Cole’s tone.
Cole’s smile was wistful. “She was my junior in the same major at university.”
The passage has been cleaned up for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and stylistic inconsistencies. The repetition of "Unspoken Farewell at 30,000 Feet" was removed as it was clearly a section heading error. Word choices were improved for clarity and flow. Paragraphing was adjusted for better readability.