hapter

21

Three Years Later

Mrs. Miller, our stocks have dropped again"

"What?" Linda Miller shot to her feet, her cold gaze directed at her CFO, who began quivering on her heels

The CFO was afraid of going on, but she knew the news had to be delivered. "Our stocks dropped by 8% just this morning

was sitting in the chair across from his mother's desk. Seeing the stricken look on her face, he feared she was going to have a heart attack. He quickly rushed to her side.

Mum, are you okay?"

"Okay? How can I be okay, Kris? Didn't you hear what she just said? Our stocks have dropped again, 8% in less than a day? Linda complained.

Kris pursed his lips into a grim line, also knowing how serious this was. Within just one year, the stocks and sales of his mother's fashion company had fallen by a whopping 50%. An additional 8% meant they were close to 60% depreciation And it was all because of a new rival company called TT Fashion.

That company hadn't even existed until three years ago, yet it had emerged out of nowhere and was conquering the world of fashion.

It sold its products and designs at prices that were outrageously lower than his mother's company or any other top brand, yet it used the same quality materials and expensive publicity.

not all, Mrs. Miller," the CFO said hesitantly.

That's notnoveldrama

"What the hell could be worse than this? Linda snarled.

The CFO swallowed before quickly letting out the news. "TT Fashion just announced that they'll be reducing their prices again by 5%, which means our sales might drop again."

Linda Telt

felt like she was being bathed with ice as fury burned through her. "What the hell is this?" Mum, calm down. Getting this upset isn't good for you, Kris said.

But

how can

can I calm down? That company is already selling their designs at outrageously low prices, and they want to reduce their prices again?" Linda seethed in disbelief. "Are they doing business or running a charity?

"Mrs. Miller, you know there's a way we can mitigate this crisis," the CFO said.

Linda stared at her steely. "And what way is that?"

"By lowering our pri="

"Don't you even dare say it!" Linda cut her off sharply.

Kris sighed. "Mum, Fatima is right. It won't kill us to lower our prices a bit. It can help us rotate the +25 BORRIS

+25

customers we have currently so that we can focus on drawing back the ones we've lost." "No! No! No!" his mother protested, moving away from him. "I don't even want to hear it, Kris. Lowering our prices will make people think we're afraid and that we're bowing down to that small company. We need to keep our prestige. The Miller family doesn't bow to anyone!"

Kris was a bit frustrated now. He'd tried to talk this issue over with her several times and it never led anywhere His mother seemed to care more about prestige than the losses she was incurring.

"Besides, you told me you were going to set up an appointment with whoever the owner of that company

7 still haven't been able to talk to the owner," Kris said regretfully.

That was another problem, nobody knew who the owner of this new company was. Nobody even knew his or her name.

Even though the owner had set up a branch of their company in Baltimore, they had never revealed themselves. It seemed like the main branch was based in New York, and yet Kris's attempts to set up a meeting with him or her had always proved unsuccessful. It was as if the owner was a ghost. But every time the company brought something new out or made an advert, it affected his mother's company the most.

A knock sounded on his mother's office door. Since his mother was too agitated, Kris called out for the person to come in. His mother's secretary entered, an envelope in hand.

"What is it?" Linda demanded. If she received any more bad news, she was going to explode. 1

"An invitation

who?"

"From They all

"

card was dropped off at the office just now, Mrs. Miller."

"TT Fastiffened before his mother came forward to snatch the card from the secretary's hand.

"So the

the owner is finally ready to show her face," she snorted. "Who do they think they are, sending an invitation at such short notice?"

"Can I see?" Kris asked and stretched out his hand. His mother gave it to him.

His brows creased as he read the text on the card. It was an invitation for a masquerade gala party set for the day after Halloween, which was just in two days.

The invitation was personally addressed to his mother and the Miller family. Looking at how they addressed the Miller Fashion House as 'one of the most prestigious and successful fashion companies, Kris felt like they were mocking them. T

His suspicions increased. Why was the owner suddenly ready to reveal herself just when his mother's company was at its lowest?

Why did he feel like everything this new company did was purposely to sabotage his mother's fashion company?

"Should I send our acceptance?" the secretary asked.

23 DO 25 BO

"No," Linda quickly responded. "If we accept, they're going to think we are desperate to meet them."

"No, accept their invitation," Kris countered.

His mother stared at him in displeasure. "But son..."

"Mum, this is not the time to be stubborn or proud. We've been wanting a meeting with them for months now. This is our opportunity. Besides, other designers and fashion companies will be invited too. Not showing up won't make a good impression." Kris didn't know why, but the thought of meeting the owner of TT Fashion made him eager and nervous at the same time. Who was he or she?

Don't worry, mum

I'm going to sort this crisis out for you." He promised.

He hoped to talk to the owner and strike a deal that could benefit them all. Today's Bonus Offer