Imperial Glory Branch.
There’s still half an hour until the scheduled eleven o’clock meeting. By rights, they should have arrived half an hour in advance.
However, even at five past eleven, there was still no sign of them.
"Call Irene Pierce’s agent, and ask if they’re stuck in traffic." Ann Vaughn put down the contract she was holding and said to the assistant standing by her side.
The assistant nodded and did as told, but Irene Pierce’s agent, whether too busy or for some other reason, took a few minutes to answer, "Oh, it’s Assistant Hanson. What can I do for you?"
"Agent Lynch, you’re quite a joker. Just a few days ago, our company and Ms. Pierce agreed to sign the endorsement contract today. Do you remember that?" The assistant smiled, asking sincerely.
"I’m really sorry, Hanson. Our Irene’s schedule is just too packed, there’s simply no time to shoot your endorsement... Since the contract hasn’t been signed, you should find someone else."
Upon hearing this, the assistant couldn’t help but feel a little anxious, "Didn’t we agree a few days ago? Why the change of heart today?"
"There’s really no other way, my artist simply doesn’t have the time." The agent insisted, "I have something else to attend to here. Maybe we could work together in the future. How about that?"
With those words, the agent decisively hung up the phone.
Almost like they were afraid the assistant would keep pestering them.
Fortunately, since the contract wasn’t signed, Irene Pierce’s agent declined without any psychological burden, even went to tell Irene, who was putting on makeup.
"Although this company offers a high endorsement fee, it can’t compare with the fame of a major brand like Ena. Not choosing them was the right decision."
Half-folded in her arms, Irene Pierce snorted softly at this, "What I want is exposure and greater opportunities, not just a few bucks."
"It’s my fault too, almost picking up the sesame and dropping the watermelon." The agent shook his head, internally relieved, "A small pharmaceutical company that won’t have collaboration opportunities no matter what happens in the future. Let them be."
Initially, Ann Vaughn was somewhat surprised by their decisive actions, but she soon figured it out.
Imperial Glory was originally established on the development of traditional medicine and has always followed this path, never involving other aspects.
Thus, the public’s ingrained impression of Imperial Glory needs time to diminish.
"What no time? During the discussion a few days ago, they promised to sign the contract today, yet at the crucial moment, they’ve stood us up!" Even after hanging up, the assistant was still indignant, "This lack of integrity will ensure they don’t remain popular through next year!"
Ann Vaughn couldn’t help but smile, and any annoyance she had towards Irene Pierce’s side was almost erased by his scolding.
Seeing Ann Vaughn smile, the assistant coughed awkwardly, "Aren’t you angry?"
"There’s nothing to be angry about. Imperial Glory has always been known for traditional medicine, suddenly changing course to introduce such products will naturally invite skepticism." Ann Vaughn said calmly. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ ɴo(v)elFɪre.ɴet
The assistant found himself agreeing quite a bit.
Honestly, if he hadn’t personally tried that set of aroma beads, he would have thought Ann Vaughn’s move was a bit impulsive.
Once the new product is launched, naturally the assistant won’t be the only one with such thoughts.
What Ann Vaughn wanted was to change this ingrained mindset.
Therefore, finding a good and suitable spokesperson was crucial.
Though well-known starlets and several popular actresses in the entertainment industry had already been contacted by the assistant.
Ultimately, they decided on the popular actress Irene Pierce, whose image and aura matched the spokesperson Ann Vaughn was seeking.
Just as Ann Vaughn was contemplating whether to implement the second plan, the office door was suddenly flung open from the outside.
Startled, she looked up to see Elias Hawthorne standing there, slightly out of breath, wearing a deep blue checkered suit, and his light blue eyes flickering beneath his slightly disheveled bangs.
The assistant was evidently even more surprised than her, "Manager Hawthorne, weren’t you assessing the situation at Mount Verne? Why are you back suddenly?"
"Came to get something." Elias Hawthorne replied, his light blue eyes fixated on Ann Vaughn’s porcelain-white face, lips slightly pursed.
It was as if he wanted to say something, but remained silent.
Yet, Ann Vaughn seemed as if she could perceive a hint of... resentment through his gaze?
The assistant, however, was even more perplexed, "...But I think your office is next door?"
At these words, something unexpected appeared on Elias Hawthorne’s usually stoic face, and his light blue eyes gave the assistant a slightly annoyed glance before he turned and left.
So, what exactly did he come to do?
No... how did he know she was here?
Ann Vaughn’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, a hint of doubt swirling in her bright eyes.
She never forgot the fact that Harold Hawthorne is Elias Hawthorne’s father.
It wasn’t that she feared Elias Hawthorne would retaliate for his father’s sake, but rather her concern...
That he might have the same motives as Harold Hawthorne.
After pondering for a while, Ann Vaughn gathered her thoughts and said to the assistant, "Set aside the matter of the spokesperson for now, let’s activate..."
Before she could finish, her words were interrupted by a sudden ringing from her phone.
"Hold on a moment." She said, picking up the phone on her desk. It was Quinn calling.
The assistant held his tongue and stood aside.
Although they didn’t meet often, Ann Vaughn and Quinn frequently exchanged messages and gossiped, so their relationship wasn’t distant at all.
"Annie." Quinn’s voice sounded quite cheerful, "I’ve already used the set of aroma beads you sent me. Heaven, what exactly is in that brain of yours? The things you make are just too good to use."
Hearing this, Ann Vaughn pursed her lips into a smile, "As long as Sister Bellamy likes them. Let me know when they run out, and I’ll have someone send more."
"Don’t just say I like them; my girlfriends were crazy about them too. They snatched two boxes from me right away; if I hadn’t held on tightly, the last box would’ve been gone too..." Quinn laughed, "I heard this is a new product your company will launch?"
"Yes, it will be on the market next month."
"A new product launch can’t be without a spokesperson who’s a mix of beauty and brains, don’t you think?" Quinn’s words were filled with implication.
Hearing this, Ann Vaughn’s heart sank.
She couldn’t help but rub her forehead, "The company is searching for one. We were planning to sign a contract with Irene Pierce today, but it seems she found a better option and ditched us."
Had they not called to inquire, the other party might have wanted to pretend it never happened without giving them an explanation.
At first, Quinn was surprised, then she couldn’t help but laugh, "Then do you think Sister Bellamy would be suitable as your spokesperson?"
"I wouldn’t even charge an endorsement fee, I’d work for free just as long as I have enough aroma beads!"