you are not qualified

After losing the chance to discuss her proposal with Alec Biars, Valerie try to find another means to see Alec and luckily she managed to get her hands on the number of his personal assistant with the help of her old friend Gabby.

She succeeded in getting her to meet him and dressed in a fashion yet simple and exquisite outfit, she bring her proposal with her alongside Jacob.

"You may come with me now please" the assistant came to inform her after an hour wait and they both quickly follow after her.

To Valerie's surprise, Mr. Alec wasn't the one there but few people who seemed to be in charge of screening the new proposals for Mr. Alec.

It means if they did not deem her proposal fit enough it would never get to Alec Biars at all and she would lose the chance to ever get him for a collaboration.

"Your proposal is not fit for us"

Valerie's heart trembled at their respond and hold her breathe not sure what is happening, she hasn't even had the chance to present it well to them and yet she has been rejected.

"A tasteless brand like this is not qualified for SPECK" they said and throw the proposal over the table like pieces of trash.

Valerie stand up to defend her work but the three seemed already determined not to let her have a chance at all

"You may leave now Miss. Swan" they show her out with the gesture of hands and Valerie stood dazed for a moment.

She know it is hopeless trying to gt them to change their mind about her work, they have already planned tor ridiculed it anyway.

She pick it up and take her purse with her not bothering to say anything else and walk out of the room with Jacob who was also shocked at their hostility and rudeness.

"Why would you want me to ask her to come over only to reject her so blatant?" Alec asked after receiving news that the beautiful lady at the party two nights ago has already left.

Tony ignore his question but a look of satisfaction and the smug on his face says he was enjoying her misery quite well.

"I think she is a very talented lady, plus she is so beautiful" Alec commented and Tony turned to him with a death glare.

"I absolutely have no interest in her" he said with his hands raised up.

He just humiliate her and now he is angry that he had commented on her beauty, he could not really guess if it was a hate relationship or not.

He looked really upset at the party too but yet followed after her and even made the trouble of coming to his office to watch her get rejected.

If it was left to him, he would have agreed to try working with the lady but he knows how dangerous his dear friends gets whenever he wants something.

His victims could only blame theirselves for getting on his bad nerves

"Are you just going to let this go?" Jacob asked upset.

"I have always respect Alec, why would he employ such horrible people" he added annoyed and ignite the car.

"What should we do now? We only have few days before we leave"

"We might need to extend our stay" Valerie said and put a call through to Gabby.

They won't be able to avoid staying at the hotel for that long, she need to find a place for them until they are able to secure an investor else, Swan might be in trouble.

As soon as Gabby open the door, she throw herself on Valerie who is forced to drop her bags and hold her. A warm smile appear on Valerie's lips, she has missed her a lot those five years that she has spent away.

"Welcome to my abode" she said and lead the two in.

"You must be Jacob" Gabby said with a blush smile resting on her face and stretch out her hands to check the handsome younger man.

"Nice to finally meet you" Jacob throw his cute dimply smile at her and she blush harder.

"You didn't come with…?" Gabby turn to Valerie lowering her voice and she chuckles.

"No" she shook her head to answer.

"Well, you can stay as long as you want' she said and give a side hug again before leading them to the rooms for a rest.

Valerie put on a white jacket to accompany her backless red dress, base on the information that Mr. Heckles is holding a party today and the dress code is white and red.

The only red dress she has brought back with her was this one and Jacob dressed in all white while Gabby have the two colors in strap lines.

With the help of Gabby's acquaintance who work as Mr. Heckles' secretary, they have managed to get invitations to the private party happening on the cruise.

Valerie hope she is able to get this investment with Mr. Heckles, as he is a man with the money that could easily invest in Swan.

As Valerie stepped into the party, her mood was lifted and the nice tone of music shifted her mind from her anxiety. It is a delightful party than she expected it to be.

"I must have a drink" Jacob said glaring around and rush off before Valerie could stop him.

"Good luck Val" Gabby said patting her on the shoulder and scurry off after Jacob.

Left alone, Valerie take her steps gently while looking around carefully for the sight of Mr. Heckles hoping that she sees him soon enough.

Myanna who has come for an enjoyment after getting insulted again by Tony Chen came to the party for a drown in the alcohol and noticed Valerie.

She bite her lips in disdain, she drop her empty glass of wine and grab another before rushing to her and stopped her from going any further.

"What are you doing here?' she lashed out

She has missed the chance to smash her face when she saw her at the congratulatory party and now she has been given the chance.

Valerie sees the malicious gaze in Myanna's eyes and her breathe get caught in her throat and she try not to lose her composure.

"I am here to attend the party, I have an invitation…" she tried to explain

"I mean what the hell are you doing back in the country?" Myanna raised her voice cutting her off.

Valerie keep quiet knowing why she is so upset, she knew she shouldn't be at the RK but then she needed to secure this investment if she still want to keep Swan going.

"I will be out of your skin in no time…" she was trying to tell Myanna but she threw the wine in her hand directly on her white jacket instead.

"You are not qualified to be here" she spatted at her glaring hard and viciously.

Valerie was left agape at her drained cloth in wine stain and look stunned at Myanna who looked like she might even do something worst.