CHAPTER 136: RULES & EXCEPTIONS

Aveline was busy all day with her team. There were a lot of emails to go through.

Theodore’s assistant did send her the details. The event was on the coming Sunday evening; they had given her the center section of the hall for about 1.5 square meters. The theme they were hoping for was related to the import-export business.

Though she didn’t have any events on the same day, she didn’t hurry to respond to them.

Just an hour before clock-off time, Nolan came rushing into the office after a knock. "Ms. Laurent, did you check the email I forwarded?"

Aveline glanced at him and continued to check the email as she nodded. "I’m looking at it right now."

It was the 30th anniversary celebration of Cullen’s architecture company.

Nolan began, "I did the basic research. Cullens always hired EventCraft Solutions. However, this time, they have asked both of us to give them presentations, and they will choose what aligns with their vision."

He paused just to take a breath and continued, "I just spoke to President Cullen’s assistant. He said they were looking for a new perspective and ideas. Since you are famous for your impeccable taste, they believe we would have an amazing idea."

However, what Nolan didn’t know was that Damien’s mother, Cassandra Ashford, was acquainted with Mrs. Cullens.

Aveline couldn’t help but wonder if the Cullens were trying to embarrass her.

She also knew she was getting sensitive about everything. If she kept doing it, she might never get a chance to organize an event and would have to shut the company.

The day after tomorrow was the presentation day. They had a day to prepare for it, but an hour for a meeting because she didn’t want them to overwork after office hours.

"Gather in the meeting room in ten minutes," Aveline instructed.

Whether they failed or passed, whether she got humiliated or passed this test, Aveline wanted to give it a try.

"Right away." He rushed out, excitement clearly visible in his actions and voice.

Aveline closed her eyes for a minute or two and imagined her idea for the 30th anniversary of an architectural company. Then she gathered some reference pictures and went downstairs.

....

In the meeting room,

Aveline was the last to enter. The team had been excitedly discussing their points around the long oval table. She placed her laptop on the desk and wrote on the whiteboard using a marker.

Timelines & Skylines

She had chosen the theme and the title to work around to avoid scattering their ideas.

"It’s not just a 30-year celebration of Cullens in the business field, but also of its employees and their past work," Aveline began. "All these years, Cullens have hosted dinner banquets for every celebration, so let’s come up with an idea where they can also showcase their history to outsiders and celebrate the insiders."

A young man raised his hand. "We could feature interactive installations of past projects with holography if their budget is flexible, or with 3D models."

Aveline nodded as she wrote "Architectural Journey Walkthrough (Mini-Exhibition)" on the board, and the meeting continued.

By the end of two hours, they had discussed most of the topics, and Aveline instructed the staff member who was responsible for finding the venue, "Get the list of venues available on the event date and categorize them by price."

"Yes, Miss."

Then she turned to Nolan. "By the end of tomorrow, I need unique captions for the activities we are planning. Not copied from the internet."

"Got it," Nolan responded.

As a person who was experienced in the field for seven years, he continued, "I suggest we keep the more detailed information to ourselves and reveal just enough to tempt them. This would avoid them stealing our ideas. When they sign with us, we’ll give them a complete overview."

Aveline paused at that. Providing just a brief overview wouldn’t be enough to tempt them. Rather, it would make them doubt their capacity.

"I suggest giving them a taste of our idea with a mini exhibition and venue design, which is very important for them. The rest could be used as a tool to entice them. Because as newcomers in the industry, there is a high chance of them underestimating us or calling us unprofessional for skipping the details."

Everyone looked at each other in understanding and nodded in agreement.

"Let’s wrap up for today." Aveline took her laptop and mobile to exit, but the door opened from the outside.

Everyone who had stood up peeked at the door when Aveline’s calm expression softened. Their breath caught in their throats when they saw Alaric Lancaster lean against the glass frame, his tall figure filling the doorway with an effortless confidence that seemed to command the room’s attention.

"Overworking on the first day?" Alaric’s deep voice lingered in the silence, rich and warm with just a hint of amusement.

Aveline had no idea he was coming. But "How did you enter without permission?" She asked.

"I could enter without permission." Scarlett’s voice came first before she leaped behind Alaric, her vibrant energy a stark contrast to his composed presence. She flashed everyone a brilliant smile that instantly lightened the atmosphere.

Alaric observed quietly as Aveline’s expression transformed. Though her posture had softened and mischievousness flickered in her eyes at the sight of him, her eyes truly brightened and her lips curved into a mesmerizing smile at Scarlett’s voice.

’I have a long way to go,’ he thought, stepping aside gracefully to make way for Scarlett.

Scarlett introduced herself to everyone with her characteristic charm and announced, "Let’s go for dinner." She dramatically swung her hands toward Aveline as she continued, "It’s your boss’s treat."

Alaric and Aveline: "..."

He had left his office before her work-off time, waited for her at the gates, and now heard that it was an office dinner.

Aveline was also speechless. Why was she treating them?

’Yay...’

But when the team cheered and smiled brightly, she could only smile at them. Once everyone had left to grab their bags, Aveline poked Scarlett. "Stop announcing dinners. I haven’t even started earning," She chided.

Scarlett paused and gave her advice. "Linnie, Grace & Bloom isn’t some cold corporate machinery. It’s a creative house. When your team sees you celebrate small wins with them, even if it’s just a dinner, they’ll remember it. Because there’ll come a day when they’ll be running on caffeine at 3 a.m., setting up events, and still smiling through the exhaustion. Perks now mean loyalty later."

Alaric looked surprised at how women supported each other, unlike men, who often just shared crude jokes and schemed about ruining someone’s reputation or wasting money on meaningless pursuits.

Then Scarlett held Aveline’s arms and shook her. "Linnie... I’m not saying become the life of every party. But you’ve got to start showing up. People don’t follow ghosts; they follow people they connect with."

Aveline breathed out through her mouth and sighed. "Alright. I’ll learn it, slowly and steadily."

"That’s my good girl." Scarlett cheered and tugged her away.

Before she was taken away, Aveline quickly asked Alaric, "Would you like to join us?"

Alaric understood that Aveline should blend with her team, and he didn’t want to be the odd one out. So he stepped back when needed. "I’ll see you at Ivory."

Aveline didn’t insist and nodded. Only after he disappeared from her sight did she wonder why they would see each other at Ivory Towers.

Scarlett hissed, trying to understand what Alaric meant. Then she exclaimed, "You guys slept together yesterday?"

Aveline kicked her leg. "He is the owner of Ivory Towers."

Scarlett held it for five seconds before bursting into laughter. "You! Ms. No-Men-Past-My-Door Laurent? You don’t even let flings cross the door! And now you bring in a man who’s both a one-night stand and a potential boyfriend? Girl, what kind of wild card is he?!"

Aveline swatted Scarlett’s arm, cheeks warming. "It wasn’t like that... I didn’t think... he just..."

Scarlett folded her arms and gave her a smug grin. "You broke your own rule, and you’re not even mad about it. That’s saying something." She tilted her head, voice softening. "So why aren’t you dating him?"

Aveline’s smile faltered. Her voice dropped to a whisper, vulnerable and unsure. "I’m scared." She confessed.

Taking in a calm breath, she continued, "I’m scared that good things disappear when I reach for them. Scared they’ll label me... question me about Damien, about my divorce. And..." she hesitated, then added, "his mother met me."

She looked down, words catching in her throat. "I don’t think I’m ready to face his world. Not yet."

Scarlett’s teasing faded. Her expression softened, but just as she was about to respond, she stilled. Her gaze flicked past Aveline’s shoulder, eyes narrowing with sudden awareness.

Then she saw him.

Alaric stood in the hallway, frozen. His posture was rigid, his jaw clenched so tightly the muscle ticked along the side of his face.

His eyes weren’t just cold, they burned. And they were fixed solely on Aveline’s back.

Aveline followed Scarlett’s line of sight and turned around slowly, feeling the weight of that silence press down on her. She met his gaze, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

She didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know how long he had been there. But judging by the flicker of restrained fury in his eyes...

He had heard enough.