Chapter 434

The audacity! Did she even realize what she was saying?

Most people would spend weeks preparing their presentations and still make mistakes. Yet here she was, about to improvise hers on the spot!

All eyes turned to Evelyn Sinclair, their gazes heavy with skepticism. Her palms grew damp with sweat.

She tightened her grip on the stack of papers in her hands.

Earlier, while searching for her missing files, she had stumbled upon a collection of design sketches in her cabinet.

These weren’t polished floor plans or digital renderings—just rough concept drawings she had done in her free time with colored pencils.

Evelyn had no formal training in illustration, but she had a natural talent. Whenever inspiration struck, she preferred sketching her ideas on paper rather than working digitally.

The thick stack was filled with her conceptual designs for the project.

Her department head had once teased her for being old-fashioned, but Evelyn didn’t care. This was her creative process.

With her digital files gone, these sketches would have to do.

Gathering her courage, she stepped onto the podium and placed her sketches down.

She lifted the scanner lid, placed a sketch face-down, and swiftly operated the machine.

The audience watched, baffled, wondering what this flustered employee was about to do.

Then, the large screen in the conference hall flickered to life, displaying rough but striking concept sketches alongside photographs of the old urban district.

Evelyn’s voice, clear and confident, filled the room. "My apologies for the delay. Let’s begin. These are my preliminary sketches—charcoal and colored pencil concepts—along with the reasoning behind my designs."

The reactions in the room were mixed.

Curiosity. Disbelief.

Dominic Blackwood’s lips curved into a faint, approving smile.

Quentin Prescott frowned.

Olivia Kensington and Abigail Thornton exhaled in relief.

Yvonne Blackwell narrowed her eyes, reassessing Evelyn.

Alistair Montgomery and Malcolm Whitmore looked stunned.

Vivienne Laurent, however, was seething. Her fists clenched, her expression dark.

Evelyn, unfazed, used a laser pointer to highlight the current state of the commercial district on the screen.

"The area in question is a prime location in the Cercis Business District. A decade ago, it was the city’s busiest hub. But as the city expanded and trends shifted, its outdated design became a liability. The only solution is complete redevelopment."

"As a designer, my task is to transform this space into a modern landmark—a convergence point for commerce and foot traffic."

"Most existing structures follow a classical style, which now feels outdated. Given its central location, surrounded by high-end residential and commercial zones, the new design must be contemporary and dynamic. My sketches reflect this vision—each building distinct yet interconnected, with open gardens and ecological landscapes woven throughout."

Her sketches were raw, but her talent was undeniable. The buildings were vibrant, irregular in shape, yet harmonious. Modern elements blended seamlessly with functional spaces.

Dominic studied her, fascinated.

The nervous woman from before was gone. In her place stood someone composed, articulate, and utterly captivating.

She answered Quentin’s nitpicking questions with ease, her confidence unshaken.

The room’s perception of her shifted in real time.

Dominic’s smile deepened.

His woman never failed to impress.

Meanwhile, Vivienne was unraveling. Watching Evelyn speak with such effortless grace made her want to claw that perfect face apart.

How had this happened?

Her plan should have been flawless. How had this woman turned the tables with nothing but rough sketches?

When Evelyn finished her presentation, the room was silent.

Then Dominic began clapping.

The others followed, applause filling the hall. Olivia was practically beaming, her hands stinging from how hard she clapped.

Even Quentin, initially displeased, looked grudgingly impressed.

"You have quite the talent in your company, Mr. Blackwood," he admitted. "A minor blunder at the start, but nothing unforgivable. I’ll add another five percentage points to the deal. We can sign today."

Five points was a significant concession.

For corporations like theirs, where deals spanned hundreds of millions, that was no small offer.

But Dominic’s gaze remained steady. "Make it ten."

The Vivi Group representatives nearly choked.

Quentin’s expression darkened.

The audacity of this man!