Chapter 290: A Narrow Victory

"From the look of things, I’m certain that Janet’s colleagues are spreading the rumor because of her
success on the job. They are jealous and intimidated by her. She is being too lenient with them. And
that makes it more difficult to investigate,"

Ethan stated, his head teeming with different thoughts.

"Jeez! You never let an opportunity to praise your wife pass you by. Now I know how protective you
are."

Garrett shook his head. Staring at Ethan, he put down his crossed long legs and took another
comfortable position.

‘Wow, this guy has changed so much!’ he thought.

He had noticed some major changes in Ethan’s behavior these past few months. The previously cold
and uptight Ethan was now warm and caring.

Lost in thought, Ethan leaned his back on the chair and stared blankly at Garrett. He suddenly snapped
his fingers and said, "I have an idea. Since we can’t find the source of the rumor, we should try our best
to provide Janet with all the resources she would need. Her works must be excellent so they will be
selected to be displayed at the fashion show."

Garrett was pleasantly surprised to hear this idea. He abruptly stood up and his eyes lit up. With his
shoulder lifted, he asked, "Wait, does this mean you are going to strike the Lester family again?"

There was a subsidiary company under the auspices of the Lester Group. It was called the Lester Silk
Fabric. Producing high-end clothes was its specialty.

As a result, it was one of the biggest rivals of the Larson Group. The major reason why the Larson
Group came into the clothing business was to compete with the Lester Group.



For the past few consecutive seasons of the Seacisco Fashion Week, the Lester Silk Fabric had come
out first. Ethan thought that it would be a huge blow for the Lesters if the Larson Group clinched the
first-place title this year. Ethan leaned forward, rested his elbows on the table, and clasped his fingers.
He stared outside through the French window and said, "The Larson Group has developed rapidly in
the past few years. Let’s give those folks a run for their money. It’s time we win that show."

On the other side. Janet had buried herself in work day and night. Tiffany’s advice had charged her up.
She wanted to blind her haters with her success and show them that she wasn’t someone who
depended on a backer. Her mockers were the very last people she wanted to lose to.

On D-Day, many people gathered at the selection site for the Seacisco Fashion Week’s haute couture.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for Larson Group and the Lester Group to compete for first place!"

With this announcement, the judges began to look at the design drafts carefully. They occasionally
glanced at each other and joked about some designs.

The Lester Group and the Larson Group always went head-to-head every year. Their designs were
often so excellent. But the designs of the Lester Group were always a little better than that of their rival.

It wasn’t surprising because they had been in the business for longer and had a good reputation in the
industry.

"This design is concise and at the same time, innovative. The designer must have put in a lot of work."

As the judges looked at the Lester Group’s design, they praised confidently, "It seems the Lester Group
will be selected for the opening show again."

The judges were about to make their final decision. But they were interrupted by a senior judge at the
table. His eyes suddenly lit up as he stared at the design drafts sent by Larson Group.



A bright smile also appeared on his face. "Wait, I find this design from the Larson Group very
interesting."

‘What is he talking about?’’ the other judges thought and fixed their eyes on Janet’s work again. Their
opinion at first glance was that the design was a little tacky and naive. They didn’t think it was fashion
show material at all. But when they looked at it more carefully, their opinions changed. They saw that
the design had many hidden meanings and it evoked thoughts.

This surprised all of them. It became a masterpiece in their eyes. After a heated deliberation between
the judges, the chief judge took the microphone and announced.

"For the first time in so many years, we had to take a look at the designs carefully. It was a stiff
competition between both designs. We have decided that the Lester Silk fabric’s design can only be
showcased during the second show. While the Larson Group’s design will headline the first show!"

This announcement caused quite a stir in the Larson Group. Such a thing had never happened in the
years of the competition.

This victory shut up all of Janet’s haters. It proved that she was indeed excellent at her job. Soon, the
rumors drastically reduced Janet’s colleagues no longer looked down on her or gave her the cold
shoulder Some of them even sucked up to her.

"The design department of the Larson Group defeated the archenemy for the first time in many years!
We are so proud! Good job, Lind!"

Tiffany gave Janet a hug. The victory filled her with so much vigor and vitality. She also became more
confident. Janet chuckled and covered her mouth to control her excitement. Waving her hand, she said
humbly, "I just tried my best. Thanks for the praise, anyway."



"All right, all right! Your best has done us good. Woo-hoo! This calls for celebration. Listen up everyone,
the entire design department will be going out for a get-together! It’s Mr. Larson’s treat!"

"Yay!"

A cry of jubilation went up in the department when the employees heard that the boss was treating
them.


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