?<strong>Chapter 471:</strong>


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    Sherman, his assistant, quickly approached, brow furrowed in confusion. “Sir, weren’t you scheduled to fly to Mitan for the coboration talks this afternoon…?”


    Ken cut him off with a t tone. “The coboration’s canceled.”


    He strode to the front of the room.


    “Let’s begin the meeting. Any other business can wait.”


    “Yes, sir.” Sherman quickly stifled his confusion, nodding and offering the meeting documents with only a brief pause.


    It was rare for Ken to attend these sessions—something normally left to the department heads—but his arrival today shifted the energy in the room. Ken walked toward the head of the table with his usual detached elegance and settled into his chair. Across the room, Allison felt his presence, and instinctively, her gaze was drawn to him.


    A faint, familiar scent drifted her way, the cool, woodsy fragrance she’d once crafted herself. Now, worn by Ken, it lent him an edge that felt distant andmanding, unattainable in every sense.


    “Let’s begin,” Ken boomed.


    The head of marketing shuffled forward, clearing his throat. He started with a nervous edge, his voice cracking slightly. “So, um, what we have here is the final promotional n for Thorny Rose.”


    He clicked open the PowerPoint, growing more confident as he exined. “Our approach is to build an online story around the fragrance, reaching urban women who carve their own spaces in the city with grit and tenacity.” The team looked encouraged, the concept clearly polished and researched.


    “We’ll work with major video tforms to maximize engagement and…”


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    As he spoke, the room stayed attentive. Then it was Allison’s turn.


    She leaned forward with calm confidence. “I have some new thoughts on thisunch.”


    She’d gathered her hair into a ponytail, casual but purposeful, and her tone matched.


    “I don’t think Thorny Rose should be limited to young urban women. It can represent everyone who’s fighting for their dreams.” Her gaze leveled on Ken. “Why not work with the Everett Group to produce a short film? Thorny Rose could be our signature product, something global, not just restricted to Ontdale.” Allison’s proposal was bold and risky.


    A few breaths hung in the air as her bold suggestion settled. Then, a wave of reactions followed.


    “Ms. rke, our priority right now is to establish a foothold here,” one team member began cautiously. “If we stretch too far, we risk overextending our costs.”


    “Agreed,” another chimed in. “We need to ensure the product quality is top-tier if we’re calling it a signature.”


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