Chapter 235
Effie wasn’t exactly satisfied with Randell’s response.
She didn’t want him to praise her design simply because he was doing a favor for Lyman. What Effie truly hoped for was genuine communication with her clients—a chance to create something they would honestly love.
She wasn’t interested in making a piece that someone would only tolerate, or worse, never wear out in public at all. That would be a waste-not just of her own time and effort, but of Randell’s money as well.
“Mr. Hoffman, if you have any other thoughts or suggestions, please let me know. I’m more than willing to make adjustments,” Effie said, looking directly at him.
“It’s best we discuss everything openly while we’re all here,” she added.
Shirley, who’d been quietly observing, almost wanted to laugh. She’d been ready to say how Randell, despite seeming difficult at first, actually turned out to be the dream client-easygoing and agreeable in the end! She’d seen a designer break down in tears after a client forced her through more than a dozen rounds of revisions, debating the placement of every tiny accent stone. And after all that, the client decided the very first version was best. The poor designer had to sneak off to the restroom to cry once they’d finally left.
Truly, being a designer wasn’t easy.
So to Shirley, working with someone like Randell-a client who didn’t demand endless revisions-felt like a gift from above. And yet, Effie didn’t seem entirely pleased?
Randell found Effie’s insistence a little odd. He genuinely liked the design, so why change it?
“It really is great,” he insisted.
Effie replied, “Mr. Hoffman, once the design is finalized, there’s very little room for changes. That’s why it’s so important for us to communicate thoroughly right from the start; that’s how you get the best possible result.”
Irving Butler watched Effie and couldn’t help thinking there must be something between her and Randell. Anyone else speaking to Randell like that would’ve triggered his infamous temper-but somehow, Effie got away with it.
Randell leaned toward Lyman and muttered, “Your wife’s really professional.”
He’d originally meant to say “interesting,” but worried that Lyman-who was famously protective of his wife-might take offense, so he settled for “professional” instead.
Lyman raised an eyebrow. “Thanks for the compliment.”
Randell clicked his tongue. Shameless-getting so smug just because someone praised his wife, as if the compliment were for him. You’d think his grin would split his face in two.
In the end, though, the meeting went smoothly.
After Effie submitted the final design, Randell approved it immediately and scoured the globe to find the perfect jewels for her creation.
Their collaboration paid off: the finished piece was a resounding success.
For the first time, Randell was truly impressed by Effie’s talent.
He turned to Lyman and said, “Lyman, I have to hand it to your wife-her professionalism is absolutely top-notch. Honestly, I thought she was new to this, and that her designs would need endless revisions before they’d meet my standards.”
“I only agreed to try because she was your wife, but I have to say, I’m genuinely impressed.”
“Hey, Randell,” someone chimed in, “you hired Lyman’s wife for your design project? Why didn’t you tell me? I want in, too!”
“Me too…”
What started as a casual get-together between friends suddenly turned lively. The group had been chatting comfortably-well, except for Lyman, who’d spent most of the evening texting and grinning at his phone like a lovesick teenager. Now, with this new bombshell, everyone’s curiosity was piqued.
The table erupted with excited chatter.
Lyman finally set his phone down and, in a rare moment of seriousness, fixed everyone with a cold stare. “No. Absolutely not. Don’t even think about it.”