Chapter 111: Strawberry Shortcake

The conference room at Rona Design was quiet.

Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the elegant marble table where Mindy sat. Amelia stood beside her, tablet in hand.

A knock sounded at the door.

"The representatives from Aurielle Diamonds have arrived, Miss Wilson."

"Please show them in."

A moment later, three people entered. Leading them was an elegant woman in her early Thirties, dressed in a charcoal-gray business suit with diamond earrings that caught the light. Beside her walked a young woman carrying several folders.

Following behind them was a middle-aged man with silver-rimmed glasses.

Amelia stepped forward. "Miss Wilson, this is Mrs. Victoria Vale, Vice President of Aurielle Diamonds. This is her assistant, Miss Grace Collins. And Mr. Thomas Ward, Head of Jewelry Design."

Mindy stood immediately. "It’s a pleasure meeting all of you." She shook hands with each of them.

Victoria smiled warmly. "The pleasure is ours, Miss Wilson. I’ve admired your work ever since the Bright Fashion Competition. When your assistant contacted us saying you personally wished to meet, we rearranged our schedule immediately."

Mindy smiled politely. "Please, have a seat."

Once everyone settled, Mindy folded her hands on the table. "Since Wilson Group recently acquired Rona Design, I wanted to personally meet the partners who’ve supported this company for so many years.

Aurielle Diamonds has been working with Rona Design for nearly a decade. I believe strong partnerships deserve personal respect."

Victoria’s smile deepened. "No wonder everyone speaks highly of you."

Mindy nodded. "Thank you." She glanced toward Amelia, who immediately handed several design folders across the table.

"I’ll get straight to the point," Mindy said. "Rona Design and LUXT are jointly producing our biggest project this year—the Twin Royal Wedding Collection."

Thomas immediately became interested. He opened the folder. The moment his eyes landed on the sketches, he froze. His breathing slowed.

Page after page revealed diamond tiaras, matching bridal necklaces, convertible earrings, royal heirloom-inspired bracelets. Every design perfectly complemented the wedding gowns.

Thomas unconsciously adjusted his glasses. "...These..." He turned another page. "...These are magnificent."

By the time he finished the last sketch, he looked at Mindy with genuine admiration. "Miss Wilson... I’ve designed jewelry for over twenty-five years. But these... they’re breathtaking. You’ve already envisioned how every gemstone should interact with the fabric. The proportions... the balance... it feels as though the jewelry and gowns were born together."

A faint smile appeared on Mindy’s lips. "It has to be perfect."

Thomas nodded seriously. "I’d personally like to lead this project."

Victoria glanced at him before smiling. "I believe that’s settled."

Everyone laughed softly. The atmosphere relaxed considerably.

For nearly another hour, they discussed gemstone selections, production schedules, marketing plans, and the upcoming launch. Before leaving, Mindy handed Victoria another invitation.

"I’d also like to invite Aurielle Diamonds to Rona Design’s Fifteenth Anniversary Banquet."

Victoria accepted it elegantly. "We’ll definitely attend."

After exchanging a few final pleasantries, the three representatives left. The conference room became quiet again. Mindy’s smile slowly disappeared, her expression turning thoughtful.

Amelia noticed immediately. "...Miss Wilson?"

Mindy hummed absentmindedly.

Amelia hesitated before speaking. "I investigated Lilith Ravenshaw—the mysterious owner of Aurielle Diamonds. I couldn’t find anything. No photographs. No public records. No interviews. It’s as though she doesn’t exist."

Mindy wasn’t surprised. "It doesn’t matter. Someone like her can’t stay hidden forever. Eventually... she’ll have to show herself."

Amelia nodded before opening another file. "Everything at Aurielle Diamonds is managed by Victoria Vale. She graduated at the top of her MBA class from Silvercrest University. Very capable. Employees describe her as strict... and ruthless."

Mindy nodded thoughtfully. "I see." She stood. "Let’s go."

As they walked toward her office, a familiar voice called out.

"Mindy."

She turned. Matthias stood several meters away. Samuel quietly followed behind him. He wore a simple black suit today, yet somehow he attracted attention everywhere he went.

Mindy smiled. "What are you doing here?"

Matthias looked almost... embarrassed. "I was nearby."

Samuel nearly choked. Nearby? He had postponed an international shareholders’ meeting. Just. To have lunch.

"I’m free," Matthias continued. "I thought... if you’re available... we could eat together."

Samuel silently looked toward the ceiling. His CEO had become hopeless.

Mindy smiled. "I was actually about to have lunch. Perfect timing."

Matthias’s eyes brightened. "I already reserved a table."

She laughed. "I should’ve guessed."

Turning toward Amelia, she handed over the project files. "Take these to Layla. Tell her everything went well."

Amelia nodded. "I’ll handle it."

The rooftop restaurant overlooked almost the entire city. The lunch crowd hadn’t arrived yet. Only soft piano music echoed through the air. They sat beside the glass railing.

After ordering, silence settled between them. Mindy replied to several work messages. Matthias simply watched her.

Five minutes passed.

Finally, she looked up. "...What?"

Matthias blinked.

"You’ve been staring for five minutes."

He cleared his throat. "Do you think... I’m becoming clingy?"

Mindy let out a soft laugh. "Who told you that?"

"No one." Matthias glanced away, suddenly looking a little self-conscious. "I was just wondering. I don’t want to annoy you."

Her smile softened, but she kept her tone carefully light and neutral.

"You’re not annoying me."

Matthias looked back at her. "I’m not?"

"No." She paused, then smiled. "I enjoy your company. Besides, you always make sure I get to eat the best food."

Her playful comment eased the tension, but the warmth in her expression remained friendly rather than suggestive.

The corners of Matthias’s lips slowly lifted. "...Really?"

She nodded. "Really."

For some reason, that single sentence made him happier than closing a billion-dollar acquisition.

After a while, he asked, "So... Matthew Knight’s birthday banquet. You really want me to come?"

Mindy nodded. "Grandfather Matthew has always treated me well. I’ll go for him. But..." She smiled mischievously. "I’m taking you as my plus one."

Matthias chuckled.

"You don’t even feel guilty."

"Not even a little."

He laughed. "Fine. I’ll go."

They spent nearly an hour talking—mostly about work, sometimes about random things. Matthias preferred listening. He liked hearing her talk.

Suddenly, his phone rang. The screen displayed one name: Julian King.

His father.

His expression immediately darkened. He answered.

"What."

The furious roar echoed through the speaker.

"MATTHIAS! What exactly have you done? First Lucy.

Now the Crestmont Project! You stole your brother’s client! Is this how you treat your own family?"

Matthias’s eyes became icy. "If Kelvin can’t keep his fiancée... or his clients... that’s his own incompetence. And don’t call Zeus Vision’s legal acquisition ’stealing.’ If he’s capable, he can take it back."

Silence.

Then Matthias spoke again. "And stop calling me every time your precious son starts crying. I have nothing to do with King Group... or with you."

He ended the call without another word.

Silence returned. Mindy quietly pushed a dessert plate toward him. Only one spoonful remained.

Matthias looked at it. "...You ate almost everything."

She blinked innocently. "It was delicious. You should feel honored. I left you one bite."

For several seconds, he simply looked at her. Then he laughed—a genuine laugh. "Thank you."

She smiled. "Don’t waste your emotions on people who don’t deserve them."

His eyes softened. "...I know."

Mindy tilted her head thoughtfully. "You know, we should let our fathers meet each other. I’m sure they’d hit it off. They seem like similar people."

Matthias’s expression grew solemn.

"No. I hope he never comes here."

His voice lowered, thick with bitterness.

"At least your father loved your mother. But him..." He paused, his jaw tightening.

"He’s pure evil. Even after my mother died, he showed her no dignity, no respect. He couldn’t even leave her memory in peace."

Mindy didn’t know how to respond.

Matthias continued in a quieter voice. "He doesn’t even remember that tomorrow is her birthday. And the worst part is, he doesn’t care."

A few moments passed before Mindy asked gently, "What was your mother like?"

The faint smile on Matthias’s face slowly disappeared. He stared into the distance, silent for so long that Mindy thought he might not answer.

Finally, he said, "Kind. Too kind for her own good."

His gaze drifted toward the window. Outside, the city lights shimmered against the dark sky while Mindy waited patiently.

"When I was little, we used to make strawberry shortcake together," he said. "I don’t remember much anymore. The memories have faded." His voice softened. "But I remember laughing with her. And I remember how happy she was."

Silence settled between them once again.

Then Mindy rose to her feet.

"Then let’s make one."

Matthias looked up at her. "What?"

"Tomorrow. We’ll make strawberry shortcake for your mother."

For several seconds, he could only stare at her. Emotion flickered across his face, too deep for him to hide.

At last, a small, fragile smile appeared.

"...Okay."

Outside, the city moved on as usual, the sound of passing cars blending with the muted noise from the restaurant.

After lunch, Mindy and Matthias walked side by side in silence. Neither of them spoke about the past or what tomorrow might bring.

For now, they only had a simple plan: make a strawberry shortcake in memory of his mother. And somehow, that was enough.