Chapter 181: New Shop In Town

After wrapping up in the workshop, I took her for a short drive just around the corner, stopping right along the same high-end avenue where her old shop was located.

I pulled up in front of a stunning, newly renovated store with sleek black marble, ultra-clear display glass, and a spotless, modern interior—sitting just two doors down from Sterling’s shop.

Mia looked out the window, her eyes practically popping out of her head.

“Wait… Ethan…” she gasped, pressing her hands against the glass. “Is this…?”

“Your new flagship studio,” I said smoothly, tossing her a set of keys. “Every client Sterling turns away because he thinks their taste is ‘too radical’ is going to walk straight out of his front door and right into yours.”

Mia grabbed the keys, stepping out of the car in absolute disbelief. She unlocked the heavy glass doors and walked inside, running her fingers along the polished display cases and staring up at the ambient lighting highlighting empty velvet stands meant for her future creations.

She spun around on her heel, looking at me with a brilliant, euphoric grin plastered across her face.

“You put my boutique right under his nose!” she laughed, bursting with pure excitement and petty joy. “He’s going to lose his mind every single morning when he opens his blinds and sees my name glowing on this street!”

“Let him watch,” I chuckled, stepping inside behind her. “This is your kingdom now, Mia. Make sure whatever you put in these windows makes his work look like cheap plastic.”

Mia stepped out onto the polished pavement, taking a few steps backward into the cool evening air to take in the full view of the glowing facade. She stood there with her hands on her hips, her head tilted up, taking a deep breath of pure satisfaction.

Just then, the bell above the door two shops down jingled loudly. Sterling stepped out onto the sidewalk, locking up his traditional, dusty showcase windows for the evening.

As he turned around to walk down the street, the bright ambient lighting from our new boutique caught his eye. He froze mid-step, his brow furrowing as he stared at the sleek black marble and pristine display glass.

“What in the world is this nonsense…?” Sterling muttered aloud, stepping closer with a scowl.

Then he spotted Mia standing right in front of it.

He stopped, scanning her up and down before looking up at the glowing studio sign. “Mia? What are you doing loitering outside this place?”

Mia turned to him, an energetic, triumphant grin spreading across her face. She folded her arms, holding her head high. “It’s my new shop, Sterling. Right on your block.”

Sterling blinked, stunned for a split second, before his scowl melted into a harsh, condescending sneer.

“Your shop?” Sterling scoffed, letting out a sharp, mocking laugh that echoed down the quiet street. “You’ve got to be joking. You think renting out a fancy box makes you a master horologist? With those absurd, aggressive draft concepts you keep pushing?”

He stepped closer to the window, peering inside at the empty velvet display pads before looking back at Mia with pure, arrogant dismissiveness.

“No real collector is ever going to wear your loud, unrefined little toys, girl,” Sterling laughed, shaking his head. “You’re going to go broke in a month trying to compete with real craftsmanship.”

I stepped out of the boutique’s sleek front entrance, my coat tailored to perfection, my hands resting lazily in my pockets as I leaned against the doorframe.

“Is there a problem out here?” I asked smoothly, my voice cold and calm, cutting through Sterling’s mocking laughter.

Sterling turned around, ready to snap at whoever was interrupting him, but the second his eyes landed on me—taking in my posture, the unmistakable air of extreme wealth, and the sheer presence I carried—his arrogant smirk instantly dissolved.

His eyes widened slightly, and his entire demeanor shifted in a split second, transforming from condescending snob to eager salesman.

“Ah! Sir! Forgive me,” Sterling said quickly, bowing his head slightly as he took a quick step toward me, completely turning his back on Mia. “I didn’t realize a gentleman of your distinguished stature was in the area.”

He shot a dismissive, pitying glance back at Mia before looking up at me with his fake, practiced smile.

“I couldn’t help but overhear,” Sterling continued, smoothing down his lapels. “If you’re looking for genuine, world-class horology, you shouldn’t be wasting your time with novice experiments. My atelier—just two doors down—houses true masterpieces. In fact, I have a magnificent, limited-edition tourbillon piece sitting in my private vault right now that would look exceptional on a man of your status. Please, allow me to invite you inside for a glass of scotch while you inspect it.”

Mia gritted her teeth, her fists clenching at her sides as she watched her former mentor attempt to steal her backer right in front of her face.

I stood there, looking Sterling up and down with an unreadable, amused smirk playing on my lips as he waited expectantly for my answer.

I raised a hand, stopping him mid-pitch with a cool, nonchalant wave.

“No need to worry, Sterling,” I said smoothly, resting my hands back in my pockets as a sharp smirk touched my lips. “I don’t need to step into your vault. I’m wearing a Mia original.”

Sterling froze dead in his tracks. The fake, salesman smile slid right off his face, replaced by total, speech-less shock. His jaw literally dropped as his eyes darted back and forth between me and Mia.

“Y-You’re… what?” Sterling stammered, his voice pitching high in sheer disbelief. “Sir, with all due respect, she’s an amateur! A rogue assistant! You can’t possibly be serious—”

“I am,” I interrupted coldly, taking a slow step forward. “She has more raw talent in her pinky finger than your entire atelier has produced in a decade. And in a few weeks at the Met Gala, the whole world is going to see it.”

Mia stood right beside me, her chin held high, her cheeks flushed with pure triumph as she watched her former master crumble.

Sterling stared at us, utterly speechless, his face turning an embarrassed shade of deep red. He opened his mouth to argue, realized he was talking to the man who had clearly bought out the most expensive plot on his block, and shut it again. Without another word, he turned on his heel and practically fled back down the sidewalk toward his shop.

I looked down at Mia, whose eyes were shining with unstoppable confidence.

“Now,” I smiled softly, giving her shoulder a gentle pat. “Go back to the lab and finish those watches.”

Power Ranking Weekly #10

Oct 13, 08:05 – Oct 19, 06:00

Mass release 50 chapters