Chapter 9 Her Name’s Nylah Scott

• Through the call, I expressed my gratitude toward Lauren multiple times and I was very thankful to Master Campbell for introducing such a capable person to me.
• Subsequently, Lauren also told me that the person I was after was working in the industrial area and that she was the boss of a textile factory known as ‘Papillon Enterprise’.
• After hanging up the call, I did not hesitate at all and immediately left the police station to hail a cab by the roadside.
• Obviously, I didn’t go to see her immediately but I went to the shopping mall nearby and spent eight hundred on a presentable suit and a pair of leather shoes. Thereafter, I went into the changing room of the shopping mall and tidied myself up as I checked out my appearance in the mirror. After making sure that I looked presentable, I finally made my way to the industrial area of town.
• I remained seated in the car and I agitatedly clenched my fists tightly. The lady who had given me hope was also the woman of my dreams all this while. Do you still remember me? Do you remember the words that you mentioned in the past? ‘There's nothing that won't pass.’ ‘I'll wait for you in university.’ Now, I’m now back to seek you.
• Another thing that I was quite happy about was that she was actually involved in the textile industry. After all, this was something worth mentioning as I would have to relate this to my arts and craft teacher in prison.
• If I mentioned my teacher’s name, there was a high chance that hardly anyone knew him. However, as soon as one mentioned the brand ‘Mermaid’, I believed the older generation in the entire Milch city and even the entire county was familiar with that name.
• This textile brand had existed before the war broke out and it was now passed on to the fifth generation. The brand was well-reputed in the entire county and their family had amassed substantial wealth up to my teacher’s generation. However, he had not been interested in the business side of things. Ultimately, he ended up in jail and the ‘Mermaid’ brand disappeared from the public eye from then on.
• I had learned from my teacher over the four years in prison and he reinforced my artistic skills as well as taught me skills in identifying artwork. Furthermore, I was also taught skills in fashion design, and the art of textile dyeing. He had taught me everything personally with the hopes that I would be able to pass on his skills.
• At that moment, my thoughts ran wild as the cab finally arrived at the entrance of Papillon Enterprise. I hastily got out of the car and entered the factory. I then realized that the size of the factory was in fact not that large. Although it was the start of summer right now and the place should be bustling with activities, the entire production line was quite lifeless and devoid of activity.
• Most of the staff were either seated by the roadside or in front of the entrance to the factory. Some of them were chatting with each other, some sat there with drooping heads, and some just lazed around doing nothing. Although I had no experience in running a company, this did not seem like a good sign. I had a sense that something was amiss.
• "Hi there, what’s going on with the company?" I walked toward the roadside and asked a man who looked like a manager.
• "What’s your purpose for coming here?" The man puffed on his cigarette and ignored my question.
• "I-I… I’m here to join the company."
• "There are no freaking positions available. The company’s about to go bust! Just leave the place…"
• Stunned, I asked with a frown. "Sir, the company seems fine. Why would it go bust all of a sudden?"
• He took a deep puff of his cigarette and said, "Since our young president took over the position, the entire factory ended up in a mess. The upper management levels have been busy scrambling for power. Meanwhile, the relatives of the Scott family have been taking advantage of the situation to gain benefit. No one cares about us workers here. We haven’t been paid for the past three months. Young President Scott had originally planned to bid for the attire tender in the Economic Conference organized by the local council. If we won the bid then there would be some income to pay the workers…"
• However, the man spat upon mentioning this before continuing, "But then our opponent, Rose Enterprise hired a designer from Franco and they’re meeting inside our conference room right now for the bidding. I reckon we would fail in our bid."
• They’re bidding right now? There’s still a chance for us to win! I quickly asked the man, "Sir, how do I get to the conference room?"
• He frowned. "Young man, haven’t I been clear enough with my words? Our opponent hired a top designer from Franco while Papillon Enterprise has no experience at all in fashion design. This place is about to go bust! You look like you’re quite well-educated so you should go and find another job somewhere else."
• "I’m the designer hired by President Scott! I have a solution to win the tender from the local council! Hurry up and show me the way to the conference room!" I was anxious and there was sweat on my brows.
• He glanced at me with an agape mouth as he pointed to the office block in front of him. "It's on the third floor."
• I hastily turned around and ran frantically toward the direction of the office block. However, before I even arrived on the third floor, I heard some noise from the conference room.
• "Nylah, the design produced by your company is honestly quite mediocre."
• "Mr. Lowe, their design is unacceptable so how about you take a look at our design from Rose Enterprise? I’m sure that you’ll be happy with it. After all, design and production are our forte. Besides, we spent a fortune to hire Mr. Andrew Yole specifically from Franco for this project. We’re definitely much more dependable than some other companies without a solid foundation. They’re just here to gain money from the government," A sensual female voice rang out and she smiled as she spoke.
• I had already reached the entrance of the conference room by then when I saw that the room was filled with people. With just a single glance, I found her among the crowd!
• I was right and she was indeed the pretty lady from back then. Her hair was much longer than before and she looked much prettier and more mature now. Despite the aggrieved and disappointed look in her reddened, teary eyes, her eyes were still pretty and there was a bright glint to them.
• I didn’t barge into the room and interrupt the conference. I merely stood by the door to gather important information related to the tender.
• From their interaction, I realized that the local council was about to organize an Economic Conference to attract investors. At the same time, there were plenty of non-local corporations attending the function. Therefore, Milch—previously known as the Capital of Textile—had to showcase itself in terms of this so the local government officials’ attire during the conference was quite important.
• Therefore, the design from the company chosen to be showcased by the local council leaders would not only be the preferred choice by the local council but it was also the best advertisement in front of the investors. Therefore, this project was definitely one that would reap benefits for the company and there were no risks involved at all.
• I studied the projected proposal intently and realized that Rose Enterprise definitely did a great job in coming up with a design. Their design was fashionable and their color choices and attention to detail were impeccable. It was no doubt a brilliant work produced by the designer from Franco.
• However, they had overlooked something. The current setting was in the Orient and we were in Tresal after all. Orientals usually had a different perspective in regard to aesthetics. Furthermore, a Western designer definitely would not be able to predict the preferences of our government officials.
• Over the four years spent in prison, I had been constantly surrounded by government officials so I was very familiar with their preferences and their little quirks.
• The attire normally worn by a government official had to firstly look understated and appealing to the public yet it should be very formal too. Evidently, the design from the Franco designer was overly ostentatious and the color combination he had chosen made the design look too complex. Although it was a stunning piece, it clearly did not showcase an air of composure.
• Besides, the design for the women’s skirt was too short and according to the regular measurements, the women’s thighs would be exposed. It would be quite a joke for women government officials to attend such a high-profile conference with their thighs exposed.
• After a further round of discussion, the middle-aged man—in charge of the tender—seated in the middle of the room voiced out, "All of you guys here are part of the same industry, and clearly, the attire designed by Rose Enterprise is way more impressive than yours. Although there are some parts to it that aren’t within expectations, out of the choices available, it’s the best one. As such, we can only go with them."
• After he said that, he frowned and looked resignedly at the pretty lady before saying, "Nylah, I’ve tried my best to help you and I’ve even arranged for the tender location to be held at your company but then you’re… Gosh!"
• There was a wave of disappointment that hit her and I could see her trying hard to stifle her tears that threatened to spill over.
• Subsequently, I mustered up my courage and barged into the room after biting the bullet. "You’ve got the wrong design! Papillon Enterprise submitted the wrong design. President Scott, could I see you outside for a minute?"