His Crush, His Brother's wife

Chapter Six

That afternoon, Luna couldn't help but marvel as she stepped into Revolution Designs' office, a stunning epitome of modern opulence. Dressed in formal attire, she glided through the grand lobby adorned with marble and gold accents. The reception area boasted a sleek, minimalist design, with a statement chandelier casting a warm, inviting glow.

“Miss Park?” A sweet voice, unmistakably Lin’s assistant, called out.

Luna smiled politely. “You must be Miss Brenda Ma.”

“Yes. It’s a pleasure to finally meet the young lady who has been on Mrs. Xu’s mind lately.”

“For what reason, if I may ask?” Luna’s eyes sparkled with curiosity before she spotted a familiar face.

“Shaun!” she called. He turned, gave a cold smile, and continued walking, leaving Luna to wonder if he hadn’t heard her or was deliberately ignoring her. Brenda smiled and tapped Luna gently.

“There’s an important meeting today,” Brenda said, offering no further explanation. “Can you wait until it ends?”

“Sure,” Luna replied enthusiastically. “No problem.”

“Then come with me,” Brenda urged.

Luna followed Brenda through the office, receiving greetings at every turn. She admired the open-plan layout, ergonomic furniture, and advanced technology. Natural light filled the space, highlighting art pieces that showcased Revolution Designs’ creativity and innovation.

The large windows allowed natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Art pieces and sculptures were strategically placed, reflecting Revolution Designs' creativity and innovation. The overall office ambiance exuded luxury and professionalism, making it a truly inspiring place to work.

Lost in the office’s splendor, Luna nearly got left behind but hurried into the elevator with Brenda, who smiled knowingly as they headed to the 17th floor. That far, Luna thought restlessly. Brenda, seemingly reading her thoughts, smiled.

“We’ll be there shortly, Miss Park,” she reassured. Luna nodded, wondering how she’d been caught.

The 17th floor featured elegant meeting rooms and executive offices with plush seating and advanced audiovisual equipment, each uniquely themed. The sophisticated executive lounge, with its rich wood finishes and custom-made furniture, was ideal for informal meetings or relaxing with coffee.

“Come in,” Brenda invited. Luna followed her gracefully to a prepared seat, drawing curious glances from executives. A slender, elegantly dressed woman quietly approached.

“Hi, I’m Stella,” she said, then turned to Brenda. “Who is she? Care to introduce us?”

“She’s here for Mrs. Xu,” Brenda replied and turned to Luna, giving Stella the impression that that was all she would get. “Please wait here. She’ll be with you once the meeting is done.”

“Oh, the meeting!” Stella looked bewildered as she rushed out.

“So nosy,” Brenda shrugged, making Luna chuckle.

“They’re everywhere, aren’t they?” Luna remarked, making Brenda laugh.

“This one is unique. She’s marked this territory and assumes any woman visiting the 17th floor must be a love rival.”

“Love rival? In the office?”

“My puzzle too,” Brenda said as she beckoned a waitress to serve coffee. “I’ll leave you now. Please feel at home and order anything you’d like.”

“Will do. Thank you,” Luna said, though she had already decided that coffee was as far as she would go.

Luna noticed a group of stern-looking men and women passing by, led by Shaun, who appeared serious and focused. When Shaun briefly met her eyes, he flashed a gentle smile, confusing Luna as he had ignored her earlier. Was he schizophrenic? She nearly choked on her coffee at the absurdity of her thoughts.

In the meeting room, Shaun took the president’s chair, with William and Gabriel on either side. Father and second son sat opposite each other, eyes filled with mutual disdain. Luke was among the executives seated behind the board of directors. Shaun noted it was a packed meeting.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” Shaun greeted them. “I rarely attend these meetings, but the CEO insisted since it concerns the future direction of Revolution Designs.”

“Welcome,” Stella said from her seat among the directors. “It’s good to see you, Mr. Xu.”

“And you as well, Miss Zhao,” Shaun curtly acknowledged before addressing the room. “Before we dive into today’s agenda, I’d like a brief update on what each department has been up to.”

The room tensed, especially those who had been slacking off.

“We didn’t know you’d be here, so we’re not prepared,” Luke said, disregarding the hierarchy. As the operations manager under COO Stella, he earned a sharp look from her, which he dismissed with a sheepish grin.

“Says the man who wants to be company president,” Shaun retorted, sending chills down Luke’s spine. “Is this how you plan to lead the company?”

“I’m not saying I won’t present… I just think you should announce your visits…”

“I need to report to you before coming to my own company?” Shaun’s voice was icy. “Ladies and gentlemen, it seems Mr. Xu is confused about who the boss is here.”

The room erupted in laughter, and from his expression, Shaun and Gabriel could tell that William was displeased. But none of them cared in the slightest.

“Finance department,” Shaun called out, looking at a calm, reserved and sophisticated young woman across the room.

“We’re ready, Mr. President,” she replied, smiling as she met Gabriel’s gaze. “I was directly involved in everything my team did, so I’ll present myself. It’s all on my computer.”

“How enthusiastic, Beatrice, but I won’t ask for a presentation today. I just need a printed report for my reference as everyone presents. It is always better than a soft copy.”

“Yes, Mr. President,” Beatrice said, handing out copies to everyone.

“Thank you. If only everyone could be as efficient as you.” Shaun smiled at her before glancing at Gabriel, who remained unmoved. Despite everyone’s enthusiasm to pair him with Beatrice, his reluctance had persisted, even straining his childhood friendship with her.

“She just wants to impress Gabriel,” Stella quipped, making everyone laugh.

“Can we act like we’re in a meeting, please?” Shaun’s stare silenced the room. “Let’s start with Operations. Impress me, Miss Zhao.”

“Luke?” Stella turned to him.

“Why me?” Luke paled. Shaun smiled, having succeeded in making his father’s favorite son look incompetent in front of the firm’s leadership, crushing any dreams of presidency he might have had.

“Mr. President, it seems people aren’t ready with their presentations today,” Gabriel interjected. “Could we move on to today’s agenda?”

“Yes, Mr. Xu,” Shaun replied, smiling at Gabriel. Gabriel asked his executive assistant to turn on the monitor.

“Thank you so much,” Gabriel said, turning to the monitor. “Xu Design has long thrived on the prestige of old money, classic designs, and royal heritage. While this has served us well, technological advancements threaten to outpace us, relegating Revolution Designs to a relic of the past. To prevent this, I propose a fusion of our timeless architectural elegance with cutting-edge 3D technology.”

“How do you propose to achieve that?” someone inquired.

“I plan to form a team focused on 3D technology to engage both our traditional, prestige-focused clients and the younger, tech-savvy generation,” Gabriel explained as everyone looked at the monitor. “We’ll maintain classic elements like columns, arches, and intricate moldings, using high-quality materials such as marble, wood, and stone. This approach ensures continuity and respect for architectural heritage, appealing to clients who value tradition and legacy.”

Shaun smiled, watching his brother present with growing confidence. Gabriel was gradually mastering the art of leadership. Shaun hoped to witness the day Gabriel would lead Revolution Designs, though he knew time was not on his side. His thoughts were interrupted as Gabriel moved to his next point.

“But or our young, tech-savvy clients, who represent the next generation’s old guard, including us,” Gabriel joked, eliciting laughter. “We will integrate 3D technology to create innovative designs that blend past and present, making Revolution Designs stand out with unique, customized structures. To appeal to younger clients, we will use eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, meeting modern environmental standards. Additionally, smart home features like automated lighting, climate control, and security systems will ensure our buildings are stylish, functional, and convenient.”

“That’s a brilliant idea, Mr. Xu,” Lin said professionally. “Especially the smart home features. But I’m curious about the problems you aim to solve with this project. Do you believe Revolution Designs is worth your lifelong dedication?”

“What do you mean, Lin?” William interjected, glaring at his wife. “This is his company too, right?”

“Yes, but is the company worth of this project?” Lin asked, reviewing the financial forecast. “This 3D tech is valued at $10 billion annually. Liv Technology in London offered $100 million monthly for licensing, plus annual remunerations. Gabriel could become a self-made billionaire if he took this idea to Liv.”

The room buzzed with excitement at Lin’s revelation, making Shaun and Gabriel smile. Despite her occasional distance, their mother remained their steadfast support system.

“You’d benefit more by creating your own company. This idea is too valuable for a company that isn’t entirely yours,” Lin said, drawing disdainful glances. “What? I won’t let you exploit my son’s brains when you don’t even like him. You want to hand the company to a complete lunatic, don't you?”

“Thank you for your concern, mum,” Gabriel chuckled. “The company is worth it. We’ll bridge three major gaps by blending classic and modern elements, creating designs that appeal to both demographics. For example, a building might have a traditional facade with a sleek, modern interior.”

“And the second point?” Shaun asked, visibly impressed.

“We will empower our clients with prestige and sustainability. Using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), Revolution Designs will offer personalized tours of the designs before construction begins. This will allow our clients to visualize the final product and make adjustments as needed,” Gabriel explained confidently.

“Lastly, for older buildings, we’ll focus on adaptive reuse, preserving their historical essence while adding modern amenities and technologies. This balanced approach ensures our designs are both timeless and cutting-edge, satisfying diverse client tastes.”

“Your idea is great, Gabriel,” Shaun said. “But I will allow for deliberation. If others don't endorse it by next Monday, we will go with Mrs. Xu’s way. We will let the idea stand by itself as a sister company of Revolution Designs.”

“If you ask me, this should be separated from Revolution Designs, or else Luke will claim it too,” Lin warned.

“Lin!” William shouted, startling everyone.

“Why are you shouting, Mr. Xu? Aren’t you planning to sneak Luke into presidency at the behest of your mistress?”

“Mum,” Shaun said, giving Lin a stern look. Then he turned to everyone else. “Let’s mind our behavior. This is a business meeting.”

“And we are discussing business here,” Lin scoffed. “Luke will ruin this company, and you and Gabriel will suffer. You’ll work hard to rebuild it, but someone else will reap the rewards.”

“Nobody will reap where they did not sow in this company,” Shaun said sternly, “and since our CEO, Mr. Shaun Xu, brought this idea to Revolution Designs, he likely wants it implemented here. Let’s consider this and come back with a decision. Remember, we have two options. Meeting adjouned.”