“Miss Scott,” he started, his voice trembling slightly. “There are no pink diamonds of comparable quality available locally…”
“What about international sources? Did you contact our overseas partners?”
Oliver seemed to grow even paler, swallowing hard before he could speak. “I reached out as you instructed, but… The storm started at nightfall. All flights are grounded. There’s no possible way to secure a replacement in time.”
Isabella let out a bitter laugh. Whether it was fate or some malicious schemer, everything was conspiring against her.
But she refused to let this defeat her. She would overcome this, no matter what.
“Call them again,” she ordered. “Keep negotiating. Remind them price is not an issue.”
“Yes, Miss Scott.” Oliver hurried out of the office, immediately surrounded by his worried colleagues.
“Oliver, what did Miss Scott say?” a young designer asked nervously, her eyes wide with anxiety and hope.
“There are no available replacements for the Rosalia Pink Diamond domestically.”
His words struck like lightning. The group erupted into chaos. “What? Nothing at all?”
“What do we do now?”
“This is the studio’s most important project. If we fail, what happens to us?”
Patricia Clark, a senior designer, grabbed Oliver’s arm. “Think,” she pleaded desperately. “Is there truly no other way? This studio—all our jobs—depend on this project.” Patricia’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. Others quickly joined in, their voices merging into a panicked uproar.
Oliver shook his head helplessly.
“We’re finished. All of us!” someone cried out, collapsing to the floor in defeat.
“Is it true? Are we really finished?”
Instead of answering, Oliver turned and walked away, his palms sweating as he retreated to a quiet corner.
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
“Mr. Grant, something terrible has happened,” Lucas’s assistant burst into the CEO’s office urgently.
Lucas was behind his desk, focused on his computer.
He looked up, irritation flashing in his eyes. “What is it?”
“The Rosalia Pink Diamond from Miss Scott’s studio… It’s missing! It’s all over the internet. There’s a massive backlash against the studio.” The assistant’s words spilled out rapidly, as if he were personally affected. Frowning, Lucas stood up abruptly. “You’re certain this information is accurate?”
“Yes, sir! The internet is exploding. Netizens are saying Miss Scott’s studio is doomed…” The assistant’s words trailed off as he saw the stormy expression on his boss’s face.
“Contact the Grant Group’s PR team immediately. Instruct them to use every resource to support Isabella’s studio and control the narrative. We must mitigate this scandal!” Lucas commanded urgently.