Chapter 764 Studying Abroad
Amelia stayed with her for nearly an hour before she left. Derrick sent them off. “Amelia, come over if you have time. Tiff hasn’t been feeling great lately. She might need your help.”
Amelia nodded. “You should spend more time with her too, Derrick. Once she’s all healed up, give her a script to write. She won’t have time to dwell on this if she has work to do.”
“I’ve already come up with a rough sketch of a movie. She’s gonna be the scriptwriter. She’ll be so busy that this will be forgotten in no time. She’ll get back on her feet.”
Amelia thought slightly better of him now. At least this was the same Derrick she knew. “As long as you’re with her, she’ll get back up, Derrick.”
Derrick nodded. Amelia and Oscar said goodbye. Once they got into the car, Amelia asked, “If you’re in Derrick’s place, would you love a child who’s born to someone you don’t love?”
“No. You’re the only one who will bear my children. Nobody else can. I won’t even let them touch me,” Oscar announced. “What if I can’t get pregnant, then?”
“We’ll adopt one. Or we can stay childless. Once I’m older, I’ll leave my work in someone else’s hands and take you around the world. When we get too old to even move, we’ll just live out our lives in a peaceful nursing home. When the time comes, we’ll leave this world together. You won’t be lonely.”
Amelia was delighted to hear that. “Wait, we’re talking about them, not us. If she can’t get pregnant, I wonder if Derrick will divorce her.”
“Depends on how much he loves her. If he loves her as much as I love you, he won’t divorce her,” Oscar said adamantly.
Amelia remained silent. She was not Tiffany, and Oscar wasn’t Derrick. The substitution didn’t work that way. I won’t be too sure about that.
Amelia immediately started working on the advertisement design once they got home. They came up with a lot of designs over the course of months, but the people at Atlas Corporation kept rejecting them. They were getting really nitpicky. Even a single minute flaw would be magnified and criticized as if the product they worked on for days were worthless.
One of the people in charge spoke in decent Chanaean. He said, “When Mr. Clinton recommended your company, I thought you’re skilled. This is second-rate. Why did he even tell us about you guys?”
The ladies were angry that they were looked down upon. Lydia answered, “Mr. Rice, we’re really trying to work with you here. Mr. Clinton did recommend us, and that’s because our work is decent, or he wouldn’t have even considered us.”
“But the rumors say he only recommended you guys because Ms. Winters is his wife,” Teddy Rice said.
Amelia stepped up and said calmly, “I may be his wife, but I’ll prove that I have what it takes to stand tall. Besides, our designs aren’t that bad, are they?”
Teddy smiled at her. “Are you saying I’m being nitpicky?”
“No. That’s actually a good trait. Atlas Corporation only got so far thanks to your leadership. I’ve seen your work before. They’re perfect. I can understand why you think our work is subpar. We still have much to improve. But give us one more chance. We’ll present the perfect work. In my and my husband’s name, we’ll back out of this project if you still aren’t satisfied with it,” Amelia said calmly.
Teddy gazed at Amelia for a moment, and he nodded.
Oscar came into the study holding two cups of coffee. He placed them aside and went around the desk to hug her. “What happened?”
Amelia pointed at the design on the table. “Hey, can you tell me what’s wrong with this?”
Oscar peered at it and worked on the design for a while. “It’s decent. Erihalians think differently from us. They’re more of a work-life balance people. They only work during work hours, while we put emphasis on speed. That’s probably why your design didn’t make the cut.”
Amelia looked at the design. She had to say that it was a lot better after that change Oscar made.
She could feel that her design didn’t hit the mark. It was as if something was missing. Oscar pulled the veil off for her, and she knew what she was looking for in her design now.
“No wonder they call you a polymath. I didn’t believe them, but now I do. I’m an amateur compared to you.” Amelia bit his lip, feeling a little jealous and frustrated.
“No. I’m just giving you an outsider’s perspective, and I know Teddy. That’s why I know what you should change. You’re a more talented designer than I am. That’s true.” Oscar patted her head. “You’re really talented. Work on it and you’ll be one of the top designers around. You are my partner, and I have an eye for good partners.”
“Is that an actual compliment?”
“Yes. You’re really awesome. Don’t forget that.”
Amelia felt better after that. She showed her new design to Lydia and the others the next day, and they were pleasantly surprised by what they saw.
“This is perfection. You have a talent for this, Amelia,” Lydia praised.
Amelia smiled. “I’m glad you like it. Let’s see Mr. Rice. I think we’ll pass this time. If we still fail, I don’t think we’ll get to work with Atlas Corporation again. So do your best, everyone.”
Lydia and the others nodded. They were impressed by Amelia’s skill. With her as our leader, there’s no way our department will lose.
They agreed to meet up at one in the afternoon in Atlas Corporation. Amelia and her team had started preparing half an hour before that. Once Teddy and his team arrived, Amelia told her team to start the slideshow, and she distributed the printed work to Teddy and the others.
She explained the reason and theme of the advertisement. When she was done, she asked, “Do you have anything to add about the new design, Mr. Rice?”
Teddy looked at it again, and he had to say that the design was flawless.
A long silence ensued. Everyone was waiting with bated breaths, and then he clapped and stood up. “Perfect. This is flawless. You’ve proved your mettle, Ms. Winters. I see you didn’t get this job just because you’re Mr. Clinton’s wife. I’m glad I didn’t give up on you too soon.”
Amelia finally smiled. She approached him and extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to hear that, Mr. Rice. I look forward to working with you.”
Teddy shook her hand as well. “I have nothing to worry about if you’re handling the ad. You’re extremely talented. Sorry for what I said. I just wanted you to work your best. And you delivered.”
“Thank you for trusting me, Mr. Rice. I won’t let you down. Better ads are coming your way.”
“And I’ll gladly take them.”
Teddy and his team were in a good mood thanks to the perfect advertisement. They even praised Amelia and her team when they met Shane.
Shane smiled. “You flatter them, Mr. Rice. They’re newbies who just started out on this path. They have a lot to learn, and you’re their gold standard.”
“You’re being modest, Mr. Franklin. We prefer a straightforward attitude here. We acknowledge everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. Formalities? Throw that out the window. Ms. Winters is talented, and nobody can dispute that. If it’s possible, I’d like to tutor her for a year. She’d have to go overseas, but she’s going to improve by leaps and bounds in a year.”
Shane froze. “Oh, that’s a nice offer, Mr. Rice, but I can’t make the decision for that. You’ll have to ask her, and I don’t think Mr. Clinton would agree to it though.”
Teddy understood, of course, but still, he said to Amelia, “This is my card, Ms. Winters. Call me if you’d like to go overseas. I promise you’ll make a name for yourself eventually.”
Amelia took the card. She was delighted, of course. Teddy’s praise was confirmation that she had talent. If she could study abroad, it’d be nice for her career. However, she had a husband and a son. Work wasn’t that important for her. She had no need to be wildly successful like the other people.
Her wish was simple: a loving husband and a good son. Work could come later. She didn’t have to push anything. “Thank you, Mr. Rice. I’ll give you a call when I plan to study abroad.”
“I’ll be waiting. Don’t let me down.”
Amelia nodded.
When Teddy and his team left, Shane approached Amelia. “You delivered, Amelia.”
“Thanks.”
Shane smiled and clapped. “Good work, everyone. This couldn’t have happened without all of you. Mr. Rice loved it. This calls for a celebration. We’re going to have dinner at a five-star hotel, and then it’s karaoke time. My treat.”
Everyone cheered.
