After Prison I Rushed into Marriage with a Comatose Tycoon-Chapter 133: To Defend

CRASH—

Shane Lockwood’s words struck like a clap of thunder, booming through the office.

Everyone immediately began to whisper amongst themselves.

Ever since Aura had risen to prominence, it had been encroaching on the Lockwood Design Department’s territory, poaching many of their high-end clients. It was back then that Shane Lockwood decided to hire a Chief Designer.

To command the Lockwood Group’s over ten thousand designers was a position of immense power and authority.

On top of that, Shane Lockwood had promised half a percent of the company’s shares.

Even if half a percent sounded small, these were shares in the Lockwood Group—a corporate behemoth worth hundreds of billions. It meant instantly shedding the status of an ordinary employee to become a Lockwood shareholder.

A shareholder in the Lockwood Group... That was something countless people dared not even dream of, and it was the ultimate goal for so many of the Lockwood Group’s own employees.

And it was Brenda Preston’s dream, too.

Ever since the position was announced, Brenda Preston had fantasized day and night about climbing higher, about standing by Shane Lockwood’s side and telling him, ’Shane, do you see? I’m brilliant—brilliant enough to be worthy of you.’

But now, the position she had longed for day and night was being given to Eliza Sutton.

’That woman has been to prison! She’s an outcast, kicked out of the Sutton Family! What right does she have?’

Brenda Preston couldn’t hold back any longer and shot to her feet. "President Lockwood, I object! Eliza Sutton is not fit to be Lockwood’s Chief Designer! No matter how you try to whitewash her past, she’s a criminal. If word gets out that the Lockwood Group’s Chief Designer is someone like her, how could we possibly save face? We’ll be a complete laughingstock!"

Shane Lockwood raised a hand, and Erik Irvine placed a design sketch before him.

His fingertip tapped the sketch as he said coolly, "If the designer who created this isn’t qualified to be Chief Designer, then who is? Are you qualified? A manager who hasn’t picked up a pencil in god knows how long?"

The color instantly drained from Brenda Preston’s face.

In truth, she had started her career as a designer.

But being a fashion designer ultimately requires talent.

And Brenda Preston simply didn’t have enough.

She had only reached her current position because her family was wealthy enough to buy her good designs. That, combined with her willingness to throw money around, was how she eventually became a manager.

Initially, Brenda Preston had been quite pleased with herself.

Manager of the Lockwood Design Department. While not a position of immense power, it was still beyond the reach of many. Besides, her true goal was never a career at the Lockwood Group; it was to become Madam Lockwood.

However, that didn’t mean she could accept Eliza Sutton becoming the Chief Designer.

’That bitch Eliza Sutton already stole my Shane, and now she wants to be my boss? She can dream on.’

Eliza Sutton looked at Brenda Preston’s paper-white face and felt an unexpected pang of pity. She had to resist the urge to curse Shane Lockwood for his complete inability to be gentle with a woman.

With tears welling in her eyes, Brenda Preston held her head high and said, "Fine, I admit my skills aren’t up to par. So even though I coveted the position of Chief Designer, I never deluded myself into thinking I could actually get it. I also admit Eliza Sutton has some talent. I have no objection if you want to promote her.

"But the Chief Designer position is far too important! How can you just give it to her? President Lockwood, aren’t you afraid that Lockwood’s stock will go into a freefall once the news gets out that you’ve appointed a woman like *that* as Chief Designer?"

Shane Lockwood said, "If I had to base every decision on what the stockholders think, Lockwood would have been history by now!"

He glanced up and saw Eliza Sutton frantically gesturing at him.

Shane Lockwood continued, "As the president of this group, I want you all to understand something. Talent, ability, and the profit one can generate are what matter most to me. A person’s past is irrelevant."

Having said his piece, Shane Lockwood looked at Eliza Sutton. "You may speak now."

All eyes in the room turned to Eliza Sutton.

Eliza Sutton gave a slight nod and, under Brenda Preston’s murderous glare, said, "Mm, I agree with Manager Preston. I’m really not suitable for the position."

The moment Eliza Sutton spoke, everyone was stunned.

Brenda Preston’s expression was one of pure shock.

She had assumed Eliza Sutton would be overjoyed; she never imagined she would actually refuse.

That’s right.

Eliza Sutton had refused. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Eliza Sutton smiled at the crowd, her expression a silent confirmation: they hadn’t misheard. She was refusing.

Shane Lockwood’s brows furrowed. "Reason? Eliza Sutton, don’t tell me you’re scared."

"Scared?" Eliza Sutton laughed, her expression dripping with disdain. ’If I were scared of trouble, I’d be dead and buried by now.’

"President Lockwood, I’m grateful for the high value you place on me, but I have no interest in the Golden Summit Award semifinals or the position of Lockwood’s Chief Designer. My reason for joining the design department is simple. As everyone is well aware, I’m a woman with a prison record. With a history like mine, it’s very difficult to reintegrate into society.

"But having a job at the Lockwood Group is different; it makes my path forward much smoother. As for any higher positions... forget it. I can’t be bothered."

’If I actually agreed,’ she thought, ’this place would probably be flooded by Saul Reynolds’s tears. I’ve always suspected he’s the reincarnation of Penelope Morgan.’

’I’ve never met a man who could whine and cry so much.’

’On that point, I’ll admit, I’m a coward.’

"As for this design, it’s a birthday gift for the Young Miss. If she likes it, I’ll be honored to have it add to her splendor. If she doesn’t, the trash can is a perfectly good home for it."

Everyone stared at Eliza Sutton, their jaws hanging open.

They had only ever seen women who were ecstatic to earn Shane Lockwood’s admiration; they had never seen one be so dismissive.

Furthermore, a masterpiece like this... anyone else would be deliriously happy to have created just one, and they would surely guard it like a priceless treasure.

And yet, she treated it with such disdain.

What did that mean?

It meant that what they considered a masterpiece was nothing special to Eliza Sutton.

It was like a millionaire not batting an eye at a hundred-dollar bill.

Brenda Preston was also staring at Eliza Sutton, at first in pure shock.

But when Brenda Preston saw Shane Lockwood staring intently at Eliza Sutton, she couldn’t help but grit her teeth and curse inwardly.

’That Eliza Sutton... what a scheming little bitch.’

’Look at her. With just one design sketch, she’s managed to capture everyone’s complete attention, Shane’s included.’

’"No interest in the Golden Summit Award or the Chief Designer position"? What a load of crap. She’s the most ambitious one here. The only thing she’s ever wanted is to be Madam Lockwood.’

’Today was just a strategic retreat for a future advance.’

’Bitch!’

Shane Lockwood narrowed his eyes, watching Eliza Sutton. He knew she was telling the truth.

Even the powerful and influential position of Chief Designer didn’t tempt her.

Just as she had never shown the slightest attachment to him as a person, or to the title of Madam Lockwood.

It was at this moment that Shane Lockwood finally confirmed something.

Eliza Sutton genuinely wanted to leave him.