The atmosphere in the room shifted as the men’s eyes fell on Whitney. Everyone seemed to tense, their attention zeroing in on her with newfound focus. In the jewelry design world, Eurovoria was legendary. The prestigious Royal Jewelry Company, which served the British monarchy, had entrusted Whitney with their designs, marking her as an exceptional talent.
Mr. Tobias’s voice took on a different tone, one of measured interest. “You’ve designed for the royal family?” He paused for a moment, clearly impressed. “Then, are you familiar with the globally renowned jewelry master LC? He’s the only designer from Harmonia Country who has worked for royalty.”
Whitney’s gaze flickered briefly toward Ludwik, the unspoken history between them hanging in the air. In their earlier, naive years together, she had admired LC, unknowingly unaware that LC was Ludwik himself. However, Ludwik rarely shared his designs with the public, with the exception of a few—like their wedding rings.
For a brief moment, the past clouded Whitney’s mind, but she quickly banished the thought. What did it matter? In the three years since they parted ways, she had caught up. Narrowing her eyes with quiet confidence, she replied, “I don’t know him personally, but I believe hard work trumps natural talent. I’ve heard he’s been out of the scene for years. I’m certain I’m more capable now.”
Ludwik’s face darkened at her words, but his calm demeanor betrayed nothing. He knew this moment was about more than just a design contest; it was a battle of wills. The fact that he was LC was a secret he had carefully protected. Jewelry design had always been a personal passion for him, not a profession.
Mr. Tobias, still taken aback by her assertiveness, struggled to regain his composure. As a former design director for Eurovoria, Whitney was more than qualified for this task. This small jewelry exhibit in Banyan City was hardly a challenge for her.
He cleared his throat, his voice faltering slightly. “Mr. Lippert, with Skyfaith Group dominating the market, this exhibit may seem trivial to you. But if we were to connect with Eurovoria’s jewelry scene through Whitney, it would skyrocket the local industry’s GDP. I could really use your support for the good of Banyan City.”
There was a brief, calculated pause as Mr. Tobias glanced at Ludwik, clearly trying to appeal to his business sense. But Ludwik’s influence ran deep, and his approval was not easily won.
Orion, sensing an opportunity to stir the pot, leaned in. “Mr. Tobias, though Ludwik boasts an incredible team, none of his designers have ever been a design director for Eurovoria. Clearly, Imperial Gem Corporation has the advantage here. You should prioritize your career, shouldn’t you?”
Mr. Tobias turned to Ludwik again, his voice pleading. “Mr. Lippert, this project is important to my personal advancement. Please, let Whitney take it. She’s more suited for it.”
Ludwik, his gaze cold and calculating, turned to face Whitney. His expression was unreadable, betraying none of the frustration he felt at the situation. To him, this was just another fleeting moment in a much larger game. He drummed his fingers on the table and smirked, “If Ms. Valentine is so eager to take this from me, let her prove her worth. Let her drink all the champagne in that cart, and then I’ll consider stepping down.”
Everyone in the room paused, the challenge hanging in the air. Orion’s eyes darted to the champagne cart, which was laden with at least thirty glasses. Clearly, Ludwik wasn’t playing fair—this was no simple test of endurance, but a cruel attempt to humiliate Whitney.
Whitney, however, stood tall, her expression one of defiance. She had not initially planned to pursue the project so aggressively, but Ludwik’s challenge ignited something in her. She would not back down. This was more than just business—it was about proving to him, to herself, that she wasn’t the same woman he had once known.
She stepped forward, ready to face the challenge head-on. Orion, seeing what was about to unfold, quickly moved to stop her. “Are you crazy?” he hissed. “Thirty glasses? He’s clearly setting you up!” He looked at Ludwik and added, “Brother, this is too much for a woman. If someone has to drink, let it be me—add twenty more glasses if you need.”
Ludwik’s gaze turned even colder. “What are you to decide? The moment she stepped forward, she knew the consequences. Choose—either the project, or her.”
Orion’s jaw clenched as he realized the futility of his argument. Ludwik had never respected him, and this moment only underscored that reality. But Whitney was undeterred. “No need for that!” she snapped, her voice firm as she turned to face Ludwik. “I’ll drink it all. Just make sure you keep your word, Mr. Lippert.”
Without hesitation, she approached the champagne cart and began drinking glass after glass. Her movements were steady, her resolve unshaken as she swallowed the alcohol one glass at a time. By the tenth glass, her face began to pale, but she didn’t stop. Ludwik watched, his eyes dark with something between admiration and frustration. He had expected her to falter, to give in to the pressure. But she continued, undaunted.
By the twentieth glass, Whitney’s legs wavered beneath her. She coughed violently, her body clearly protesting the onslaught of alcohol. Ludwik’s hand twitched in his pocket as he watched her stumble, almost falling. His instinct to help her surged, but he quickly quelled it, unwilling to show weakness. Orion, however, was faster, rushing to catch her and steady her. “Whitney, stop!” he urged, his voice strained with concern.
“Just ten more…” Whitney muttered, her voice slurred but determined. She forced herself to drink the remaining glasses, each one harder than the last. By the time she finished, her body was trembling with exhaustion, her stomach churning. She placed the last glass down with a shaky hand, her chest heaving. “Well, Mr. Lippert, I did it,” she said through clenched teeth. “You have to keep your word. The Gemstone Exhibit Project goes to Imperial Gem Corporation.”
Ludwik’s gaze hardened as he watched her, his emotions swirling in an impossible mix of jealousy and something darker. He smirked, walking past her with cold disdain. “What did I say? I only said I might consider giving up the project. I didn’t specify any other conditions.”
Whitney’s heart pounded with anger. “You despicable conman!” she spat, but her words were lost on him as he walked away, his back to her.
“Serves you right for being naive and greedy!” Ludwik’s voice was cold, cutting through the tension like a knife.
Furious, Whitney chased after him, her voice sharp. “What’s your condition? Spit it out already!”
Orion quickly intervened, grabbing her arm to stop her. “Stop chasing him. Are you crazy? Mr. Tobias already gave us the green light for the project. Ludwik’s plan backfired. He didn’t win.”
Orion’s smug smile was hard to miss, but Whitney, still reeling from the ordeal, took a moment to calm herself. She finally slumped onto a couch, trying to steady her breathing, but she was still trembling.
“I can’t believe it,” she muttered, her face pale. “Is he even human?” she asked, the words laced with frustration. Orion chuckled, but his expression softened slightly.
“Don’t puke here, okay? These are limited-edition sneakers,” he quipped, but the look on Whitney’s face told him she wasn’t in the mood for humor.
A receptionist approached, offering Whitney a glass of warm water. “Are you okay? Your friend’s been gone a while. Doesn’t look like he’s coming back.”
“Gone?” Whitney echoed, disbelief settling in her chest. Her thoughts were a haze of confusion, and just as she was about to ask for clarification, her phone buzzed with a new message. Her face drained of color as she read the text, her heart sinking as she processed its contents.
