The design room at Valentino Fashion House was unusually tense that morning.
Several designers stood around a long table, displaying sketches and fabrics while quietly discussing ideas.
Hazel stood near the end of the table, carefully arranging her designs.
Even though she had only been in the company for a few days, she already knew one thing.
Nothing in this place happened without Luca Valentino's approval.
And when the CEO walked in…
The atmosphere always changed.
Right on cue, the door opened.
The room immediately fell silent.
Luca Valentino stepped in, his sharp eyes scanning the room with his usual unreadable expression.
Behind him walked his assistant, holding a tablet.
"Show me what you have," Luca said calmly.
One by one, the designers began presenting their work.
Luca's reactions were brief.
"Too ordinary."
"Overdone."
"Unoriginal."
His voice remained cold and professional.
When it was Hazel's turn, her heart began beating faster.
She stepped forward and placed her sketches on the table.
For a moment, Luca studied them silently.
Then he spoke.
"This design is impractical."
Hazel blinked.
"And this one," he continued, pointing to another sketch, "looks like something a beginner would create."
A few quiet murmurs spread across the room.
Hazel felt heat rush to her face.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Luca continued flipping through the sketches.
"If this is the level of work you plan to produce here," he added coldly, "you will not last long in this company."
The room became even quieter.
Most designers would have simply lowered their heads and accepted the criticism.
After all…
Arguing with Luca Valentino was practically career suicide.
But Hazel's chest tightened.
She knew something wasn't right.
She had worked too hard on those designs to let them be dismissed so easily.
Before she could stop herself, she spoke.
"With respect, sir…"
The entire room froze.
Hazel herself realized what she had just done.
But she continued anyway.
"I don't believe the designs are impractical," she said carefully.
Luca slowly looked up at her.
His expression darkened slightly.
The murmuring in the room grew louder.
"How dare she talk back…"
"Does she know who she's speaking to?"
But Hazel stood her ground.
"I understand criticism is part of the job," she continued calmly, "but those designs were created after studying the market demand. I believe they have value."
Luca stared at her in silence.
The tension in the room became unbearable.
Everyone expected him to explode.
Instead…
He said nothing.
His jaw tightened slightly before he closed the folder of sketches.
Then without another word…
He turned and walked out of the room.
The moment the door closed, the room erupted with whispers.
"Hazel, what were you thinking?"
"You just argued with the CEO!"
"You're finished."
Hazel remained standing there, her heart pounding loudly in her chest.
Maybe they were right.
Maybe she had just destroyed her career.
But deep down…
She didn't regret speaking.
She had only defended herself.
And she knew she wasn't wrong.
Later that afternoon, Hazel received a message.
Mr. Valentino wants to see you in his office.
Her stomach twisted.
This was it.
She knocked softly on the large office door.
"Come in."
Hazel stepped inside.
Luca stood by the large window overlooking the city.
He didn't look at her immediately.
After a few seconds, he finally turned.
"Why did you talk back?" he asked coldly.
Hazel swallowed.
"Sir?"
"I wasn't expecting a response," he continued. "Most employees know better."
Hazel took a small breath.
"With respect, sir… I wasn't trying to disrespect you."
Luca's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then what were you doing?"
Hazel straightened slightly.
"I was protecting my reputation."
Silence filled the room.
"I know my rights as an employee," she continued carefully. "And I know the work I presented was not careless. I wasn't trying to argue with you… and if it came across that way, I apologize."
She paused before finishing.
"But I couldn't stay silent and let people believe my work was useless."
For a moment…
Luca said nothing.
He simply stared at her.
Then something unexpected happened.
For the first time since she met him…
He looked thoughtful.
"Leave," he said finally.
Hazel blinked.
"That's all?"
"Yes."
Hazel nodded quickly and walked out of the office, still unsure what had just happened.
But inside the office…
Luca remained standing near the window.
He rarely tolerated women challenging him.
In fact…
After what his ex-girlfriend had done to him years ago, he had learned to see women in a certain way.
Manipulative.
Greedy.
Gold diggers.
He had given his ex everything.
Money.
Luxury.
Trust.
And she had still betrayed him.
Since then, Luca had avoided emotional involvement with women entirely.
But Hazel…
She was different.
She hadn't tried to impress him.
She hadn't tried to flirt.
And she definitely hadn't tried to please him.
Instead…
She had stood her ground.
And for some reason…
That made him curious.
Luca turned toward his assistant.
"Find information on Hazel Hart."
His assistant looked up.
"What kind of information, sir?"
"Everything," Luca replied calmly.
"Her credentials. Her background. Her address."
The assistant nodded.
"Yes, sir."
A few hours later, the assistant returned.
"Her records show she lives in a small apartment," he reported.
"With someone else. Possibly a younger woman. We couldn't confirm the relationship yet."
Luca leaned back in his chair.
Interesting.
There was clearly more to Hazel Hart than he had expected.
And for the first time in a long time…
Luca Valentino found himself wanting to know more.