chapter178

"You should be finding your own spark, something fresh that belongs to you. Pay attention to what's trending right now and what people actually want. Don't just copy others or use ideas they've already thrown away."

As soon as Lydia finished, a wave of disbelief swept across the room. Faces tightened, some even looked like they wanted to protest.

Seriously?

They had poured so much time and energy into those designs, some pulling all- nighters just to get them right. How could she call their hard work leftovers? Their clothes sold, didn't they?

"Ms. Norwood, if you know so much, then tell us. With the market this crowded and competitive, what counts as innovation? What exactly matches today's style?" Marissa crossed her arms and lifted her chin, staring Lydia down with a mix of frustration and annoyance.

The nerve of this girl. Did she really think being president gave her the right to boss them around?

Sure, Greenward Power lost money every year, but that was Parker's fault, not theirs. The design team's work was always well received. If not, the company would be losing even more.

"Marissa, hold on. Let's focus on your latest designs first. I had Josef photograph the finished pieces."

Everyone's attention shifted to the big screen at the front of the room.

A gorgeous pink gown filled the display, its skirt shimmering with intricate

embroidery and dazzling sequins. It was Marissa's pride and joy. She'd spent nearly

a month perfecting it, and everyone had agreed it was stunning.

"This gown is beautiful, but there's too much going on with the embroidery and sequins, Lydia said, her voice clear and steady. "It draws the eye everywhere at once and loses a sense of unity."

Marissa's proud smile faltered.

Lydia went on, "Try simplifying the embroidery. Use fewer sequins and pick a more subtle shade. Make sure the sequins are spread out evenly. That way the whole design will look more cohesive."

As soon as Lydia finished, the image on the screen switched. The revised gown appeared, reflecting all her suggestions.

A ripple of surprise ran through the

room. The new version looked

instantly more elegant and

balanced. It was sophisticated and modern, and it actually felt fresh and captivating.

Marissa stared, speechless. She didn't want to admit it, but Lydia's changes really did make the dress look better. It would probably appeal to way more people, too.

Lydia didn't dwell on it. She moved on to the next design.

"This blazer's collar is a little too traditional, which makes it look less stylish. The color also feels flat. What if you tried something like this...

"This dress has too many lines and details. It feels busy and loses its clarity. The color pairing doesn't quite work, either, which hurts the overall impression."

She stood confidently at the front of the room, going through each design one by one. Some pieces lacked originality. Others were too overcomplicated. A few just had awkward color schemes Lydia pointed out every weak spot, but she didn't just criticize. She offered real, practical ideas for improvement.

Her eyes were sharp and focused, like every tiny detail mattered.

The conference room grew quiet and serious. Everyone started thinking hard about their own work.

Was she really only eighteen?

What kind of parents raised a genius like this? They must be so proud, they

probably wake up smiling in their sleep.