Bill was talking to Lucy when he suddenly seemed to notice that he was being discussed by this group of people and approached them. When the ladies saw that Lucy was coming over, they hurriedly tried to fawn and flatter her.
Then, Lucy introduced Bill to the crowd, “This man is one of our family members. A few generations back, his family left to live abroad. His name is Bill Winterford, and he is a renowned designer of pet luxury goods. He has decided to return to Cethos to start up a business next year. For that reason, we are working together to start a studio to create a pet luxury goods brand in Cethos. I hope everybody will support our endeavor.”
Upon hearing those words, the ladies quickly nodded in agreement. On the other hand, Sophia frowned. Isn’t this too much of a coincidence? I just started my business plan, but Lucy is already becoming a business competitor?
Bill didn’t seem to have recognized Ivan. After all, Ivan had changed a lot during these three years—he practically aged overnight. He now looked much older than he was, and his hair was peppered gray. Compared to the young and energetic Ivan back then, the difference was far too great.
Ivan stared at Bill, who was in high spirits and standing not far away. Then, he replied icily, “I was the one that taught him. I’m well aware of his capabilities. How could I not?”
In the past, Bill had been one of the apprentices at his studio. At the time, the other apprentices had reported that Bill had stolen their designs. Unfortunately, he had trusted Bill back then and did not take heed of those complaints… When he was busy dealing with matters involving his wife and child, he even handed the management of the studio over to Bill without any worries… Haha… I was such a blind fool back then!
During those three years, he had come to realize everything as he experienced all the coldness and mercilessness that existed in the world. He could only watch as his loved ones left him, one after the other; as his career collapsed; and as his life collapsed… His faith had been tested time and time again as he tried again and again only to fail every single time. The person who truly loved him had long since passed, and the person he used to trust had stolen everything he had to build up a reputation.
Besides, he had revisited the pet luxury business these days. By focusing on some of the popular styles that recently appeared in the international market and paying attention to Bill in particular, he discovered that Bill had plagiarized all his designs. In every design that Bill came up with, he could find traces of his designs in them.
Not only that, but even his unique designs that he had created especially for his beloved pets had turned into popular items on the market! Those were not just made from his efforts alone; they included the sweat, blood, and tears of his wife and his sister. At the time, he had established his studio with his wife and his sister. We came up with those designs together! Yet, Bill had shamelessly stolen them all!
His fists clenched and relaxed, and he did that over and over. In the end, he lowered his head and focused on taking care of Garfield. Even so, his gaze was filled with the flames of fury. Bill! Just you wait!
When Sophia learned that Bill and Lucy were working together, she felt anxious. She could sense that she was facing a challenge she had never faced before. If she wanted to make a move, then she would aim to be the best in Cethos. Besides, she felt at ease with Ivan’s ranking. However, if Bill and Lucy were to work together, that would become a huge obstacle in her path! After all, Lucy was the vice president of the Edwards Group. Together, those two would have a more experienced and influential team. Moreover, it was a given that Lucy would have more resources at hand than she did. No matter how hard it is, I still have to give it a go! How would I know how successful I can be if I don’t try?
More importantly, she did not feel as if she were inferior to Lucy in any way. Rather, if not for her background which couldn’t compare with Lucy’s, she believed that her current achievements would be much greater than Lucy’s! Perhaps because Lucy was the vice president of the Edwards Group, as well as her husband’s ex-girlfriend, that she couldn’t help regarding Lucy as her imaginary enemy, a role model, and a person to surpass. For that reason, she always compared herself to all of Lucy’s achievements.
Sophia also believed that if Cooper’s struggles back then were effective… If Cooper had married Annabel and given birth to me… I could have been the young lady of the Mitchell Family, just like Natasha. But, I would never act like Natasha. Instead, I would have lived like Lucy—I would have built my own business, climbed up the ladder of success, sat at the top of the business empire, and become a powerful woman! It’s a pity, but I am neither Natasha nor Lucy. I am simply Sophia. Sophia, who was born in Johnson Family Village in Riverdale; whose uncle was a felon that molested women; who only started studying at the age of nine and entered university at the age of 19. Even so, it’s only a matter of time until I catch up to Lucy! Once I am 25, I will definitely be able to achieve everything I ever wanted to do!
After a while, Bill and Lucy left to socialize with other people. Thus, Sophia continued chatting with the ladies, trying to join in their social group. When a group of ladies gathered together, their conversation tended to revolve around certain topics—from flower arrangements and tea ceremonies to stocks and real estate to child-bearing secrets and skincare methods. Later, they took turns touching Sophia’s robot and cat. In the meantime, the conversation accidentally touched on the topic of their husbands.
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