The Manipulated Villainess

As soon as Nicole entered her office the next day, her secretary followed her to make a report.

"Chairwoman, I received a call from the manager of Aston Kang this morning saying that the actor would like to have a meeting regarding the ambassadorial role." Julia Cha respectfully bowed and informed the Chairwoman.

Nicole Yang raised a brow and looked at her secretary. "Didn't you tell me that he rejected the offer? Why the sudden change of mind?" She inquired.

The clothing brand of the Yang Group falls under the direct supervision of Nicole. She was the one who launched the brand and started the clothing business just months ago. And even though the Yang Group was one of the most influential groups in the country, they were a novice in the clothing business.

"I don't have any idea, ma'am. But isn't it a good thing that the top celebrity agreed to meet us?" Julia Cha knows very well how the Chairwoman valued this clothing company. Though the Yang Group was composed of different business such as electronics, furniture, cosmetics and all; she prioritized it over any other field.

Nicole Yang gave a thought and agreed with her secretary. For her clothing business to be exposed to the wider scope, they needed the fame of a top celebrity such as Aston Kang.

When Julia Cha noticed her boss approval look, she continued, "But there is one condition."

"Say it." Nicole Yang opened the files on her desk and scanned through the pages as she repeatedly flipped her pen.

"They want to have a meeting with you and no one else." Julia Cha trailed off when Nicole froze her movement.

The Chairwoman tilted her head and again look at her secretary who was standing before her desk. "No one else? How strange." She muttered.

"But ma'am, it's a good opportunity for our new clothing brand. And they want us to get back to them as soon as possible. How will I answer them?"

"Having a meeting is not a big deal for me. I'm the in charge of the clothing business anyways." She paused for a while and gave a quick thought. "Call the manager and ask him when will they wish to have the meeting."

"About that...they said they want the meeting within two days." The secretary informed her.

That fast? Wasn't he a busy person? It was very hard to reach the top actor. The fact that they could only reach out to him after a month of making the decision proved that he was a super busy being!

"Well then. Ask them if the actor has some time today." Nicole Yang stated her decision which made her secretary bowed and leave the room.

The sudden change of the top actor's mind continued to bother the Chairwoman even after a few minutes. In fact, the personnel from the clothing business were already in the process of choosing another celebrity as their first choice had turned them down. But the decision was not made yet, which was quite fortunate.

Having a top celebrity like Aston Kang as the face of their new clothing brand will be a huge benefit for them. Well, that's what her employees told her in the meeting a month ago.

While she didn't even know the face of the actor, she agreed to her employee's request. They indeed showed her one of his photos but she didn't care to take a good look as she was more invested in upgrading the quality of their products. She wanted her clothing business to be the top in the industry!

Not even an hour had passed when her secretary entered her office again.

"Chairwoman, I just finished talking with the manager and he said that the actor could have time tonight. They want to talk about the contract over dinner." Julia Cha informed her once again.

"Dinner?" Why was this actor so strange? Did he think that this was a meeting with a film director or writer?

"The actor is busy filming for a drama and he won't be able to have another free time for the time being," clarified the secretary.

Nicole frowned. Why did they always give her no other option whenever they respond to her? She can't help but think that it was more than strange.

Calculating all the pros that the top celebrity could bring to her new clothing business, she finally gave in. "Fine. Let's do as they requested."

"Yes, ma'am." Julia Cha gave a quick glance at her boss and turned around with a confused mind. Why did she keep on wearing the scarf despite this weather? It was not hot but not cold either.

She was aware of how the many actions of the Chairwoman were controlled by her step-mother but never knew that she was completely controlled. Besides, she thought that the Chairwoman willingly obeyed her step-mother words as the former rarely show her weakness.

The fact that the Chairwoman was harassed physically will not even cross the mind of the secretary.

* * *

In the Gold Porcelain Museum which was the largest and most famous porcelain museum of the country, one young man was working on porcelain in his studio.

His hands gently moving along with the foundation of the pot which drove to revolved by the pottery wheel. His eyes keenly focused on his work and nothing else. The working scene of Leon Jung, one of the country's youngest and skilled potter was quite a sight to behold. Not to mention the man was breathtakingly handsome.

The owner of this famous porcelain museum with many awards and honours under his belt, he was a legend of his field. At 27 years old, he was surprisingly young for a well-known potter as him.

Leon always deemed himself lucky for being able to chased and pursued his own dream which was pottery. He knows very well how children from the upper society never get to follow their dreams as their lives were dictated since the moment they were born.

He was an exception because he got to do the thing he liked but nothing comes for free. At a young age of 12, he made a promise to his father that he would marry whomever he chose for him without a protest in exchange for him to pursue pottery.

After having a pottery class in school with a guest teacher when he was just a young boy, this one form of art holds a special place in the boy's heart and that was how the world-renowned potter today was born.

His father wanted him to follow his footsteps and enter politics or for him to start a business but none of them sparked his interest.

All at once, the very focused Leon immediately paused his hand when something entered his mind.

It was none other than the coat that covered his fiancee body the other night. That darn coat even made him lose his sleep!

What was the story behind that coat? It was the question that kept him up all night.

He blankly stared at the floor and after a good minute, he shifted his gaze to his work again. He pursed his lips when he saw his messed up work. "Oh! Maybe it's a bad day for pottery." He muttered to himself and rose from his seat.

He then left his studio and walked towards the main room where tons of his works were displayed for the visitors.....