Chapter 48: Killing Three Birds
with One Stone
Fletcher wasn’t asking for our opinion; he was clearly giving us another command.
The reason he made this decision was simple: it was because of Davina’s obsession with Free Spirit.
But let’s be honest–when it came to concept artists, there were few who didn’t admire Free Spirit. His artwork was lifelike, his style distinct, and his use of color vivid.
He’s been a standout figure in the industry for years, especially considering that much of his work was hand–drawn.
The level of craftsmanship he demanded was off the charts.
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However, with great talent often came a difficult personality. Since his debut, Free Spirit has never once appeared at an interview or in front of the media. His identity remained shrouded in mystery.
“Ms. Grande,” Fletcher interrupted, clearly uninterested in hearing my explanation, “If this were something simple to arrange, do you think I’d be asking you?”
It was clear then–he wasn’t changing his mind.
Davina, ever the empathetic one, stepped in, “Fletcher, actually, Charlene has a point. A concept artist like Free Spirit is incredibly difficult to hire. While I’m a huge fan of his work, I don’t want to put Charlene and Ms. Hayes in a difficult position.”
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As she said this, she fluttered her beautiful eyes, her expression almost impossibly innocent.
Kaitlyn, never one to beat around the bush, replied, “Davina, you’re so thoughtful. And let’s not forget–nobody’s even seen Free Spirit’s true face. He’s on a whole other level, we simply can’t afford him.”
Kaitlyn was always straightforward and pragmatic in her thinking.
A few years ago, a single piece of Free Spirit’s artwork sold for six figures. In the past two years, he’d collaborated with film studios, creating several famous posters that boosted his already sky–high reputation.
“It’s not about the money,” Fletcher responded with ease, his gaze softening as it landed on Davina’s face. “As long as you two
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can bring him in.”
“Fletcher..” Davina lowered her head shyly, her voice almost a whisper. “You’re making me speechless.”
“Then just wait and see how Ms. Grande and Ms. Hayes perform, Fletcher said, standing up and bringing the conversation to a close. “I’m sure you won’t disappoint me, right?”
With that, he and Davina walked off, leaving Kaitlyn and me in stunned silence.
We left Lynton Group dejectedly.
That meal had certainly been an unexpectedly thrilling experience.
Neither Kaitlyn nor I had anticipated Fletcher would throw such a massive challenge our
way.
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Ironically, I’d heard that another well–known software company, which had also received a business card from Stack at the banquet the previous evening, had tried to contact Free Spirit recently. But his agent had simply replied that all of his work was booked through the beginning of next summer.
So now, facing such a tough nut to crack, how were we supposed to get through it?
“You still don’t get it, do you?” Kaitlyn gripped the steering wheel tightly, her voice laced with frustration. “That old fox, he probably saw right through our plan from the start. But he couldn’t let us just push Davina around, so he deliberately threw us a challenge.”
So, he had been protecting her all along.
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“And don’t forget, the last time Danical confronted Davina in person,” Kaitlyn continued, sighing as she recalled the past. “If Free Spirit actually comes, how’s Danica going to handle it?”
I hadn’t really considered that. With Danica’s short temper, she probably wouldn’t let it slide easily.
Kaitlyn let out a wry laugh. “This Davina… we really underestimated her.”
I looked at Kaitlyn in confusion, and after a brief pause, I said incredulously, “You mean, Davina intentionally brought up Free Spirit to Fletcher?”
“What else could it be?”
I was taken aback. If Kaitlyn’s guess was right, then the company would likely be in for
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a storm in the near future.
As sharp as Fletcher was, he must have noticed Davina’s scheme.
Yet he still made this decision.
He was truly, fiercely protective of her.
Take our collaboration with Free Spirit, for example. If we somehow managed to find him and secure a deal, we would have done our part. But if we failed, I was afraid this problem would drag on indefinitely.
“Killing three birds with one stone,” Kaitlyn sneered. “Lena, we’ve really landed ourselves in deep trouble this time.”
Whether or not Kaitlyn’s analysis was spot on, one thing was undeniable–if we couldn’t find Free Spirit, we’d be in real trouble.
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After discussing our options, Kaitlyn and I decided to split up. She would handle Danica, since the character design for the protagonist was her responsibility, and the poor girl had put in a lot of effort. Reversing the decision now might be hard for her to accept.
As for me, I would try to contact Free Spirit’s agent and see if there was any chance of meeting the legendary concept artist in person.
If we could meet Free Spirit himself, that would be halfway to success.
But with a small company like ours, would we even catch his eye?
I couldn’t shake the unease bubbling in my chest.
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Brutal 40 Villing three mile wh
The next day, through a friend in the industry, i successfully obtained Gary’s contact information–the agent of Free Spirit–and scheduled a meeting for the afternoon.
He was a sharp–talking man in his thirties, named Gary Wood, and we met at his own art studio.
He was polite, and after I explained the purpose of my visit, he didn’t show any signs of arrogance or rudeness. Instead, he handed me a form and said, “Ms. Grande, if you don’t mind, please fill out a collaboration intent form.”
This was a first for me.
But Free Spirit was a big shot after all, so a test was to be expected.
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Chapter 48: Killing Three Birds with
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However, one part of the form caught my eye -there was a section asking for the original reason behind collaborating with him.
Gary explained, “Everyone knows Free Spirit’s temper. Feel free to write whatever you like.”
Of course, I knew not to be too casual with
my answer.
Given Free Spirit’s status, this form was undoubtedly a test, a way for him to gauge potential collaborators. If I wasn’t mistaken, once I left, Gary would hand it over to Free Spirit.
It was, in a sense, a written test.
I thought for a moment and then wrote down my true intention–this was a matter of life and death.
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Chapter 48: Killing Three Birds with
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Gary was slightly taken aback when he saw it, but smiled lightly, saying, “Ms. Grande, you’re more humorous than I expected.”
“Mr. Wood, I’m not joking.” I tightened the wristband on my wrist, speaking with sincerity. “Our project needs Free Spirit.”
After all, I had to give Fletcher an answer.
The meeting ended, and I descended the stairs, weighed down by thoughts. Moments later, my phone rang.
It was from Aria.
“Charlene, you need to come back right now,” Aria’s panicked voice echoed through the receiver. “Danica somehow heard that Davina’s looking for a new concept artist to replace her, and now she’s determined to
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Chapter 48: Killing Three Birds with.
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confront her”
My heart skipped a beat:“Wherearea heyyey now?”
“Davina said she was going for aftemoormon tea. Danica’s already gone after her Ariaaria responded, “But I didn’t tell her where Daviaaana was. Charlene, Ms. Hayes is out only you.ou can stop Danica.”
I immediately hung up, my mind racingana I tried calling Danica, but her line wassss constantly busy.
I hit the gas, speeding toward Davina’ssa favorite café.
As expected, both Davina and Danica were there.
The tension between them was palpable, like
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two swords drawn at each other.
Just as I was about to step forward to mediate, I saw Danica abruptly grab her coffee mug and splash it all over Davina.
“I show you respect by calling you ‘Manager Bates, but who the hell do you think you’re fooling?”
Danica’s face was flushed with anger, clearly fuming.
hurried forward, instructing the waiter to bring napkins while advising, “Danica, apologize to Davina right now.”
Danica hadn’t expected me to arrive. She curled her fingers and stubbornly retorted, “She provoked me first. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
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Chapter 48: Killing Three Birds
I turned in surprise toward Davina. She had lowered her head, her expression one of grievance, with a large coffee stain on her chest. No matter how I looked at it, she didn’t seem like the instigator.
“Danica, I’m just thinking of the project,” Davina’s voice was small, filled with frustration. “Charlene agrees with this too. Charlene, don’t you?”
I was at a loss for words.
But Danica wasn’t listening to any
explanation. Her eyes wide, she pointed at Davina, “Don’t play innocent, I know it’s you, Davina, who’s behind this!”
Before I could respond, tears suddenly welled up in Davina’s eyes, and she sobbed, “Charlene, you heard, didn’t you?”
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Chapter 48.
I was about to answer when a sharp voice suddenly cut through the tension. “What is going on here?”
I spun around in a panic and saw Fletcher and Duke standing in the doorway.
But why had he suddenly shown up now?
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