The man took the paper, his expression skeptical at first.
But as his eyes scanned the revised design, his skepticism turned to shock.
The changes Nora had made were subtle but transformative. She had taken his work, a piece he had considered his masterpiece, and elevated it to a whole new level.
The design now had a soul, a vibrancy that had been missing before.
"This..." he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "How... how did you do this?"
Nora leaned back in her chair, her expression calm but with a hint of satisfaction.
"It''s not about how I did it," she said. "It''s about understanding what the design needed. You have talent, but talent alone isn''t enough. You need to see the bigger picture."
Bran''s sharp, dark eyes flickered with excitement as he scanned the sketches and prototypes disyed on the walls. He hade prepared... his portfolio in hand, his confidence evident.
But what truly ignited his enthusiasm was Nora herself.
As soon as Noraid out a sample of her recent designs, he was captivated.
His breath hitched slightly, and he leaned forward, propping his hands on the desk as if trying to get closer to the very essence of her artistry.
"This is incredible," he blurted out, his gaze fixed on the delicate intery of curves and gemstone cements in the design. "Your sense of structure and flow.... it''s almost architectural, but still so organic. Where did you train?" Nora, slightly taken aback by his intense reaction, hesitated for a moment.
She was used to professionals evaluating her work with keen interest, but Bran''s enthusiasm felt more like a child marveling at a new world rather than a formal critique.
Still, she maintained herposure and answered, "I graduated from the Silvermoon Design Institute. After that, I worked on several high-end projects before joining STARLINE Studio."
Bran''s eyes widened further, his excitement only deepening.
"That makes sense! Your work has this... refined yet innovative touch. I followed some of STARLINE''S recentunches. The way they integrate unconventional materials... it''s genius!"
19:21
After left. Alpha father and son went
His energy was almost overwhelming.
Nora found herself instinctively pulling back slightly, eyeing him with measured caution.
"Would you like to continue with the interview?" she asked, her tone neutral but slightly amused by his
unfiltered admiration.
Bran straightened immediately, as if suddenly reminded of the formal setting.
"Of course!" he said with a bright grin. Extending his hand, he added, "By the way, I''m Bran. And I have to say... I already recognize your work. I''ve studied STARLINE''S collections, and I know exactly which pieces you designed."
Nora raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Bran nodded eagerly. "The Lunar Glow set fromst year, the Sapphire Veil bracelet, and... wait, don''t tell me... you also worked on the Celestial Cascade earrings, right?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Nora''s face.
It wasn''t just ttery... He really had done his research.
"You''ve got a good eye," she admitted. "Those were some of my key projects." Encouraged by her acknowledgment, Bran became more animated.
The discussion turned more technical, diving into jewelry sketching techniques, 3D modeling precision, and the delicate bnce between creative vision andmercial appeal.
Nora was impressed, but she remained reserved.
Talent alone wasn''t enough... She needed to see consistency, discipline.
"Your skillset is strong for someone so early in their career," she noted. "But growth depends on adaptability and persistence. How do you handle creative blocks?"
Bran grinned. "I chase them away. When I hit a block, I experiment... sometimes with y sculpting, sometimes by studying nature. I don''t wait for inspiration toe back. I go looking for it."
Nora gave a small nod of approval. "A good approach."
As the interview neared its end, she nced at his resume once more and posed a final question.
"You''ve lived in Darkness Pack since childhood. What made you move to Silvermoon Pack?"
Bran didn''t hesitate. "The gemstone market in Darkness Pack isn''t thriving. I wanted exposure to real
19:21
After I left, Alpha father and son west
innovation. Silvermoon''s designers push boundaries. Especially STARLINE... I saw theirtest concept pieces, and theypletely changed my perspective on what jewelry can be."
There was sincerity in his voice, a raw honesty that suggested he wasn''t just saying what she wanted to
hear.
Nora acknowledged his answer with a nod and prepared to conclude the interview. "Thank you for your
time, Bran. We''ll review your application and..."
Before she could finish, Bran suddenly stood up.
Without hesitation, he strode over to her side of the desk, stopping just a step away.
"Do you have a partner?" he asked, his tone just as direct as before. "What kind of person do you like? Am
I suitable?"
Silence fell over the room. A barely restrained chuckle came from one of the other interviewers, and someone cleared their throat awkwardly.
Nora blinked, momentarily thrown off. She had encountered all kinds of candidates... arrogant ones, nervous ones, overly confident ones... but Bran''s bluntness was in a league of its own.
With a steady expression, she responded, "Noment."
Then, as if nothing had happened, she straightened the papers in front of her. "The interview is over. You may leave."
Bran, however, seemed unfazed. Instead of retreating, he followed her as she stood up, his voice lighthearted yet stubborn. "I can start now. No paycheck needed."
Nora exhaled sharply, half-exasperated, half-amused. Ignoring him, she pushed the door open and stepped out.
Bran grinned, watching her go. "See you soon, then," he called after her.
When Leo returned that afternoon and froze upon seeing Bran''s resume, Nora raised an eyebrow. "What? Do you know him?" she asked, leaning back in her chair.
19:21