Chapter 0073
Serena’s POV
Stevie parks across from the De Luca Couture headquarters, a towering glass structure that gleams in the morning sun. The De Luca logo, bold and polished, sits above the revolving glass doors.
I exhale slowly.
“Can you believe we’re actually here?” Stevie murmurs, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary.
I squeeze her hand. “Barely. But let’s not let them know that.”
We step out, cross the street, and enter the building. At the receptionist’s desk, I keep my voice professional.” Good morning. We have a meeting with Ms. Marjorie Munger and her husband. I’m Serena Nixon, and this is my business partner, Stevie Malone.”
The receptionist checks the schedule and nods. “You’re scheduled for 10 a.m. Ms. Munger and Mr. Munger will be with you shortly.”
I glance at Stevie as we take a seat in the waiting area.
This is it, the moment that could redefine our business.
The conference room is a study in luxury, with floor–to–ceiling windows, a massive glass table, and framed high- fashion editorials lining the walls.
Marjorie greets me with a warm hug, but Timothy Munger her husband and the business backbone of De Luca Couture–keeps things strictly professional. His handshake is firm, his gaze sharp.
“Serena, Stevie, great to see you both,” Timothy says smoothly, wasting no time. “Let’s get straight to it.”
We sit down as he pulls out a thick contract. Its pristine white pages are a clear sign that this is more than just a simple agreement.
Marjorie offers me a reassuring look. “Your pieces are exactly what the show needs. I’ve always believed in your talent.”
I nod, appreciating her confidence in me, but I also know what’s about to come. Belief is one thing. Business is another.
Timothy flips through the pages efficiently.
“The contract lays out the standard terms–design exclusivity, production deadlines, and promotional rights. Everything you’d expect. But there’s one particular clause I need to walk you through in detail.”
I exchange a quick glance with Stevie, my pulse picking up. Here it comes.
Timothy taps a section with his pen. “This pertains to liability. De Luca Couture’s reputation is tied to every designer we collaborate with. That means we need protection if you cannot fulfill your obligations or-” he glances at me pointedly, “-if your work fails to meet the standards set for the show.”
A tightness settles in my chest. “What kind of protection are we talking about?”
“An insurance clause,” Timothy states plainly. “If, for any reason, your jewelry is not completed, does not meet quality expectations, or is damaged before the show, De Luca Couture reserves the right to file a financial claim against your company to offset potential damages to our brand’s reputation.”
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Chapter 0073
My fingers tense around the edge of the contract.
“A financial claim?” Stevie echoes, voice sharp.
Timothy doesn’t blink. “Yes. If your failure to deliver disrupts the show or forces us to make adjustments that reflect poorly on our brand, financial accountability must be maintained.”
The air in the room shifts, the weight of his words settling in.
This is bigger than just a contract. This is a gamble.
If I fail, I won’t just lose the opportunity–I could be financially liable for damaging De Luca Couture’s reputation.
A part of me knew this deal was too big to be free of a catch, but I didn’t expect this.
My stomach tightens, and for the first time, doubt creeps in
Can I actually do this?
The thought hits me hard, sharp like the edge of a blade.
I picture everything that could go wrong – delayed shipments, pieces breaking under the wrong lighting, jewelry losing its luster under the camera, or, worst of all, failing to meet Marjorie’s high expectations.
I’ve never done something on this scale before.
What if I can’t handle it?
What if I ruin everything I’ve built?
“And who decides if our work is ‘up to standard“?” My voice is steady, but my chest feels tight inside. 615
Timothy barely hesitates. “Final approval goes through Marjorie, but ultimately, it’s at our discretion.”
Translation: they hold all the power here.
Stevie crosses her arms, her voice tinged with frustration. This seems… extreme. Serena is one person. We’re not a massive operation with legal teams and insurance companies backing us up like De Luca Couture.”
Timothy gives a small, practiced smile. “That’s precisely why we need this protection. A brand of our scale can’t afford unexpected disruptions.”
I feel the weight of the decision pressing on my shoulders.
If I say no, we walk away from one of the biggest opportunities of our careers.
If I say yes, I take on serious risk. If anything goes wrong–lost shipments, last–minute quality issues, even unforeseen accidents–Marjorie and Timothy have legal grounds to come after me for damages.
I swallow, trying to ignore the nagging voice in the back of my head whispering, This is too much.
Then, Marjorie speaks.
“Serena, I know this is a lot. But the question is–are you confident in your ability to deliver?”
I hesitate. Not because I don’t want this, but because, for the first time, I feel the real weight of what it means to fail.
I take a slow breath, trying to steady the anxious pounding in my chest.
Am I confident?
Chapter 0073
No.
But I want to be.
I lift my chin, meeting Timothy’s sharp gaze head–on. I don’t get to hesitate. Not here. Not now,
I grip the pen, my heartbeat steady now. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”
I sign my name in firm, deliberate strokes.
Stevie follows suit, adding her signature beside mine.
Timothy nods, sliding the contract back toward him. “Then it’s official.”
As I set the pen down, the gravity of it all settles in.
This isn’t just an opportunity anymore. It’s a risk, a responsibility, a test.
Marjorie squeezes my hand briefly before standing. “I believe in you, Serena.”
I nod, inhaling deeply.
Now, I just have to prove her right.
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Chapter 0074
