Chapter 296
The Mysterious Billionaire and His Substitute Bride
Contrary to what Charis had expected, she received a lot of praise because Janetâs design had made it to the first show of the Seacisco Fashion Week.
During the senior executivesâ meeting, some of the board members praised her for being insightful.
âMs. Turner, you have good taste. If you hadnât praised Janetâs design at the assessment meeting, thereâs no way we would have chosen hers and then defeated the Lester Silk Fabric this year. Thumbs up!â
âYeah, I agree. The Lester Silk Fabric has won that selection competition for many years in a row. Their constant wins gave us a bad name. Now that we have won, our dignity has been restored. And itâs all thanks to your wise decision, Ms. Turner!â The other senior executives concurred.
Charis was so embarrassed in the face of those unwanted praises. But she had to respond with a faint smile. In her usual calm tone, she said, âIâm flattered by your praises. But I canât take credit for our win.
I was just lucky. Janet is an excellent designer. It was due to her hard work and creativity that we won.â
Charis was a slick person. As a dubious perfectionist, she wanted her disguise to be excellent. She only praised Janet because she wanted the others to see her as a good person. And it worked!
However, Garrett was confused, rather than convinced. He was also present at the meeting. Seeing that Charis spoke well of Janet again, he thought it was rather odd. He knew that Charis wasnât someone who showered praises on people. As the spoiled heiress of the Turner family, she was always difficult to please.
âThis is the first time Iâm hearing you praise someone. Whatâs so special about this particular designer?
I have seen Janetâs designs. They are indeed creative and extraordinary, but sheâs still inexperienced and hasnât shown profoundness yet. What makes you think so highly of her, Ms. Turner?â Garrett peered at her through the top of his glasses. His instincts told him that Charis was up to something, but he couldnât pinpoint what it was.
âIndeed, she needs to garner more experience. But we shall see about that. Anyway, I have to join a video conference from France soon. I need to take my leave now.â Charis checked her wristwatch and skillfully dodged Garrettâs questions.
âGarrett is nothing like these clueless old men. Heâs very smart. If I indulge him in this conversation, Iâm afraid he will see right through me. I need to be careful with what I say around him. Itâs best I do something before he blows my cover.â Charis grabbed her documents and left the boardroom.
The moment she got into her office, the friendly spark in her eyes turned cold. She threw the documents on the desk and looked at the tall buildings through the French window.
âJanet is really something,â
Charis was both angry and surprised that Janet had managed to defeat the Lester Silk Fabric. âAargh! I must have underestimated that bitch. How was she able to come out victorious despite all that I did?â
Charis was actually the source of the latest rumor about Janet.
To wreak havoc on Janet and prevent her from having the zeal to work, she intentionally started rumors about her. Part of Charisâs plan was to make the senior executives turn against Janet at the same time.
But Janetâs success in entering the first show thwarted the plan. Her failure would have proved that the rumor about her getting special treatment by hooking up with a member of the board was true. Charis had thought it would bring a lot of embarrassment to Janet.
âAnyway, I still have everything under my control. Janetâs win isnât necessarily a loss for me. It is just a minor setback. I need to start making preparations for the next step now.â
Charis took a deep breath to regain her composure. She then picked up her phone and put a call through. As soon as it connected, she asked, âHey, how is the task I assigned to you coming along?â
âItâs going well, Ms. Turner. Ritchie is back from France. He has been in a bad mood since he heard the news. When he found out that the designer who defeated his familyâs company is actually Ethanâs wife, he went ballistic in the company. Shortly after, he stormed out.â
âWell, thatâs good enough for now!â There was a hint of happiness in Charisâs tone. As she hung up the phone, a complacent glint shone in her eyes.
Ritchie Lester was the CEO of the Lester Silk Fabric. Charis had ordered her allies to spread the news of Janet being Ethanâs wife until he got wind of it. Not only was Ritchie a competitive man, but he also harbored inexplicable hatred for Ethan. The fact that he had lost to his half-brotherâs wife was a slap in the face for him. He definitely wouldnât let Janet go.