chapter325
After visiting several commercial centers, Thalassa still hadn’t found an exact match for the navy blazer with the distinctive black lining and gold pinstripes. She was looking for a specific quality of fabric—something that reflected the standard Leopold usually maintained.
Just as she was considering an alternative, she saw the identical design displayed in the window of a luxury boutique.
“What is the valuation of this particular piece?” Thalassa asked the consultant inside.
“Twenty thousand dollars,” the consultant replied with a practiced, professional smile. “It’s part of our heritage collection.”
Thalassa paused, reflecting on the figure. Twenty thousand dollars was a significant sum—it was exactly the amount of the transition fee required should she choose to pursue a different career path outside the Sinclair Group. In that moment, she realized that professional freedom often came with a high price tag, but she wasn't ready to let external costs dictate her internal resolve.
“I appreciate the information,” she said, offering a polite nod as she exited. To some, spending such a sum on a single garment was a casual choice; to her, it was a reminder of the different worlds they navigated.
However, Thalassa wasn't easily deterred. Across the street, she noticed an artisanal tailor shop. If she couldn't find the garment, she would utilize her own background in garment construction to resolve the situation.
Inside, the tailor informed her that a custom commission would take a week due to his current backlog. Knowing she needed to settle her debt of courtesy to Leopold as soon as possible, Thalassa proposed a different arrangement.
“I have extensive experience in high-end garment manufacturing,” she explained, her tone confident. “If you provide the materials and the workspace, I will handle the drafting, cutting, and assembly myself. I’m happy to pay a premium for the use of your facility.”
The owner, impressed by her directness and apparent knowledge of the craft, agreed.
Thalassa moved with the efficiency of a seasoned professional. She had spent a year in a specialized production house, learning the intricate mathematics of tailoring. She measured the proportions from memory and drafted the pattern directly onto the fabric.
In under thirty minutes, the pieces were cut with surgical precision. As she sat at the sewing machine, the rhythmic hum felt familiar and grounding. Her hands moved with a fluid speed that only comes from thousands of hours of practice. By the time the final seam was locked, the blazer was a masterpiece of structural integrity—not a mere imitation, but a testament to her own skill.
“Would you mind handling the final steam and press?” she asked the owner, checking her watch. “I need to return to the office, but I’ll collect it at the end of the business day.”
“With pleasure,” the owner replied, genuinely surprised by the quality of her work.
Thalassa arrived back at the Sinclair Group just as the afternoon meetings were commencing. She had skipped lunch to finalize the garment, and though she felt the fatigue of the high-speed task, she remained focused on her secretarial duties.
A light knock sounded at the door. David appeared, holding a leather-bound folder. “Ms. Everhart, I have a set of urgent strategy documents that require a signature.”
Thalassa looked at the folder, then at David. “Is there a reason you aren't delivering these yourself, David?”
David offered a slight, knowing smile. “In his current frame of mind, the President is focusing heavily on detail and accountability. I’ve observed that your approach to communication remains the most effective under these high-pressure conditions. Your presence tends to keep the focus on the professional task at hand.”