02. "Unveiling the Cutthroat World of Fashion: Delacare vs Eclipse Designs"

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The next morning, Vivienne woke up early and made her way to the kitchen to order breakfast from the chef. As she returned to the dining room, she couldn't help but ponder the newfound connection between herself and Lucien. What lay ahead for them now that they had become companions, or perhaps even soulmates? Would they be able to overcome her problem and move forward together, or would their relationship hit a dead end?

Despite her uncertainties, Vivienne was determined to take things one step at a time and let their journey unfold organically. She had a strong sense that Lucien was someone special, and she was willing to do whatever it took to make their relationship work.

When the maid announced that breakfast was ready, Vivienne called out to Lucien to join her at the table. He appeared a few moments later, still looking a bit groggy from his long hibernation.

As they ate, Vivienne asked Lucien how he was adjusting to his new life. He admitted that it was overwhelming, but he was eager to explore and discover all the changes that had taken place during his hibernation.

Lucien expressed a desire to go for a walk and see the changes firsthand. Vivienne was more than happy to accompany him, eager to spend more time with him and create new memories. She felt a sense of warmth and comfort sitting beside him, as if they were already family.

As they finished breakfast, Vivienne suggested that they begin working on her problem. Lucien agreed, and they headed to Vivienne's office to get started. As they worked side by side, Vivienne couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement about the possibilities that lay ahead. Even She started to feel confident that, together, they could conquer any challenge and build a life filled with happiness and love. But then she shook her head and decided to leave these messy thoughts aside and focus on the job at hand.

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"Master Sterling, I have someone I'd like to introduce to you," said Butler James, approaching Lucien as he stepped into the house.

Lucien raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And who might that be?"

"Dear, come in and greet Master Sterling," Butler James called out, ushering in a young woman in a French maid dress. She moved with slow and elegant steps, giving Lucien a proper bow before standing beside the butler.

"Greetings, Master Sterling," she said, her voice pleasant and her smile warm.

Butler James beamed with pride as he introduced the young woman. "Meet my granddaughter, Simran, Master Sterling. She's learning the ropes of the household from me and will be taking over as the family butler someday."

Lucien looked the young woman up and down, taking in her delicate features, long lashes, and full lips. She was petite but graceful, exuding an air of poise and elegance that was both alluring and captivating.

Simran's lustrous black hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, complementing her smooth, radiant skin that gave her a youthful glow. The traditional French maid uniform she wore, consisting of a black dress with a white apron, frilly cuffs, and a matching white cap, fit her slender frame perfectly, accentuating her curves without being overly revealing.

Lucien couldn't help but notice the hint of self-consciousness in Simran's demeanor as she tried to adjust to the unfamiliar outfit, but he admired her professionalism and eagerness to learn.

"Be at ease, Simran. You have a great grandfather, and I'm sure you'll learn a great deal from him," Lucien commented, praising Butler James for his professionalism and dedication to his job. "I have no doubt that you'll be more than capable of taking on this role someday."

After the introductions, Simran followed Butler James to learn about the other members of the household and the various tasks she would need to master. Lucien watched her go, feeling a sense of amusement at the thought of seeing someone so dedicated and eager to learn as Simran.

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Vivienne Delacroix sat at the head of the long table in the meeting room, her steely gaze fixed on the heads of various departments that had gathered to discuss the recent setback that had befallen the Delacare Company. She had secured financial help from the wealthy businessman Lucien Sterling that morning, but it was not enough to erase the mistake that had cost them their chance to be listed among the top 10 companies in Novus City.

Her icy words cut through the tense air of the room like a knife. "Our Company has lost its chance to be listed among the top 10 companies in Novus City, and I want to know who is responsible for it!"

The senior members of the company fidgeted nervously in their seats, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads as they tried to avoid Vivienne's piercing gaze. One of them spoke up, blaming the failure on a rival company, Eclipse Designs. Another chimed in, pointing out the annoying HR head who constantly pestered their dealers.

But Vivienne would have none of it. With a deep, chilly voice, she reprimanded them harshly, calling out their incompetence and urging them to accept responsibility for their mistakes.

Silence filled the room as Vivienne's words sank in. The heads of departments hung their heads in shame, but also couldn't help but admire their boss's strength of character.

The Delacare Company had always been known for its unique and stylish clothing designs. They had put a lot of effort and money into a high-end brand clothing concept, only to have it overshadowed by Eclipse Designs' rival product. Now, they needed to come up with something better, something that would grab the attention of the public and make them forget their previous misstep.

Vivienne took charge, her sharp mind and keen eye for detail at work as she called upon her team to present their best ideas for a new clothing concept. Her words were encouraging, pushing her team to strive for excellence and not to be deterred by the previous setback.

As the meeting came to an end, the heads of departments left feeling revitalized and inspired. They had a renewed sense of purpose, ready to put their heads together and create a new clothing concept that would blow the competition out of the water.

Vivienne Delacroix, the strong and unyielding leader of the Delacare Company, had once again shown why she was the driving force behind their success.

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