217: Chapter 217 Top Female Designer!

He wouldn't make an exception just because the female designer before him was famous and was also Maria's friend.

Furthermore, he had plenty of options at his disposal, so he wasn't worried about a lack of designers participating in the bidding.

"I apologize, Mr. Shen. I was being abrupt."

Apparently sensing Shen Zhou's displeasure, Orphina hurriedly stood up and offered a ninety-degree bow in apology.

When faced with absolute profit or an absolute powerhouse, people—whether from the West or the island nation—are all the same; no one would foolishly prioritize their so-called dignity.

And a ninety-degree bow is certainly not exclusive to the people of the island nation.

Just like the performance Orphina was putting on right before his eyes.

Seeing the woman bow in apology with such a sincere attitude, Shen Zhou felt a bit more at ease.

"Alright, I've said what I needed to say. You can discuss the rest with Maria."

Shen Zhou waved his hand slightly.

He had no desire to continue the conversation with Orphina.

While he wouldn't go so far as to revoke the eligibility of Orphina's team to participate in the design bid, he certainly wouldn't be giving them any special treatment either.

He truly didn't believe that in the entire world, besides Orphina's design team, there was no one else capable of taking on this task.

Seeing Shen Zhou's firm attitude, Orphina was filled with regret; she knew she had said the wrong thing.

Otherwise, Shen Zhou would never have dismissed her so decisively.

After Orphina left, she immediately went to find Maria.

When Maria learned what had happened, she couldn't help but say speechlessly:

"Orphina, you're going to be the death of me."

"I know you've always valued professional standards, but you have to know who you're dealing with."

"Do you think someone like my boss—young, successful, and incredibly wealthy—would really accept your so-called rigid, professional attitude?"

Hearing this, Orphina grew anxious.

She reached out, grabbed Maria's arm, and gave it a slight shake, pleading:

"Maria, we've been best friends for over a decade. You have to help me this time."

"I was just confused for a moment. After all, your boss's request sounded so absurd, and he even wanted me to add elements that women like."

"Plus, hearing him personally say he wanted to gift his fiancée a thousand-meter-tall building… I was just so jealous that it just slipped out."

That was one of the reasons why Orphina's attitude had been so rigid just now.

As a famous European designer, she had always maintained this rigid attitude, even when meeting with clients.

Although she had intentionally adjusted her attitude toward Shen Zhou beforehand, an inadvertent slip had still left him displeased.

Listening to her best friend plead and act coquettishly, Maria's mind raced.

"Actually, there is a way, but it depends on whether you're willing to accept it…"

Maria suddenly gave a sly smile, then looked her friend up and down.

Orphina was wearing a red suit. It wasn't a standard business suit; rather, it featured a unique design that highlighted her personal style.

The neckline of the suit was quite open, and a black silk scarf was tucked into the breast pocket.

Orphina herself had voluminous wavy hair and wore bright red lipstick.

Her exquisite face had sharp, defined features, and as a designer who loved life, her figure was naturally impeccable.

Orphina also had a long-standing habit of regular exercise.

As a result, Orphina in her suit looked like a toned, female leopard.

As a workplace elite, Orphina possessed a strong aura and appeared extremely aggressive.

"Maria, what kind of terrible idea is this? You know full well that I only like women."

Orphina couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Well, that's up to you. You have to decide whether you want to join our boss's project team or stick to your sexual orientation."

Maria couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

Orphina, standing to the side, gritted her teeth. In her annoyance, she gave a rather feminine stomp with her right heel.

"You, Maria! Don't tell me you've been planning to help your boss hunt for beauties all along."

"There are so many beautiful women in the world; why have you set your sights on me?"

Orphina stared intently at Maria; she felt that this whole thing was all too coincidental.

After all, the project Shen Zhou hoped to complete was a one-of-a-kind, thousand-meter skyscraper.

Countless people wanted to bid on a project of this magnitude.

Even with her connection to Maria, how could Shen Zhou have agreed to meet her so easily?

"Hehehe, who told you to be a top-tier female designer, and have such a unique sexual orientation?"

Maria couldn't help but laugh out loud, immediately deciding to play along.

For one thing, she was destined to be Shen Zhou's woman.

Since that was the case, she might as well recruit an ally early on.

Not to mention that high-quality women like Orphina were truly rare.

Maria understood Shen Zhou well enough to know that unless Orphina had truly angered him, he would never refuse a stunning beauty like her.

"Fine, fine, fine! You really know how to look out for your boss. I think we're really going to become 'plastic' best friends from now on."

Orphina immediately began to grope Maria, muttering constantly, "Let me check how your boss's technique is—did it make you bigger!"

A series of giggles and laughter erupted on the scene.

Meanwhile, after parting ways with Orphina, Maria went to see Shen Zhou.

"Boss, I've already taught Orphina a lesson for you, and she has deeply realized her mistake."

"I just don't know if you'd be willing to give her another chance to make amends."

"She wants to invite you to dinner."

As she spoke, Maria gave Shen Zhou a secret wink.

Shen Zhou immediately caught the subtext and said helplessly:

"Don't you dare try to seduce her with benefits; I don't like that sort of thing."

Although Shen Zhou said that, he subconsciously began to recall Orphina's look from earlier.

He had to admit, with her red-bottomed high heels and bright red lips, Orphina had exuded an air of total dominance.

And that was precisely why Shen Zhou hadn't been overly angry during their conversation earlier.

But to say that Shen Zhou had long coveted Orphina would certainly be an exaggeration.

After all, he was already surrounded by quite a few women, all of whom were absolute beauties.

"Boss, Orphina is usually a very principled designer. Her style is to be equally arrogant toward every client."