Chapter: 222

"Yeah," Kaitlin replied tersely, her face expressionless.

"So, you and Alan..." Phoebe began, only to be interrupted.

"The deal with Murphy Group is critical," Kaitlin interjected, steering the conversation towards business. "Phoebe, stay vigilant. Our rivals would love to see us fail. Succeeding in this project means securing our international orders for the future."

Her words refocused Phoebe's attention on the task at hand.

“Kaitlin, there's something unsettling about Mr. Murphy," Phoebe confessed. "The reports paint him as cunning, yet he's been nothing but congenial with us. Could our intelligence be flawed?"

Kaitlin's brow furrowed in thought.

“Perhaps there's more to Shawn Murphy than meets the eye. His friendliness might just be a front. A powerful businessman Like him couldn't really be harmless."

Phoebe nodded, giving Kaitlin a reminder to stay careful. "Be cautious with Mr. Murphy moving forward.”

"I will. Don't worry." Kaitlin reassured her, then added, "Have the design team gear up quickly. We can't afford any slip-ups."

Several days later, Shawn made another visit to Oasis Studio.

Kaitlin was already set to show him the preliminary design she had crafted.

Although Shawn examined it meticulously, he refrained from making significant remarks and set the draft aside.

"I have full confidence in your team," he remarked. "Today, I'm here to discuss a different matter."

Kaitlin offered a warm smile. “Of course, Mr. Murphy. What's on your mind?"

“I'm thinking about introducing a co-branding aspect to our collaboration. How do you feel about that?" Shawn said.

Excitement flickered in Kaitlin's eyes. Co-branding could significantly boost Oasis Jewelry's international presence. But recalling Phoebe's earlier caution, she opted for a careful approach.

"Co-branding sounds intriguing, but as it adds a new layer to our project, may I propose visiting your store to better grasp what this entails?" she suggested diplomatically, her intent more about evaluation than mere understanding.

Despite Murphy Group's esteemed reputation, it was essential to scrutinize any partnership thoroughly.

Shawn understood her cautious stance and nodded in agreement. "That sounds reasonable. How about the day after tomorrow? I'll set everything up," he offered.

With Murphy Group operating a facility in Osewood, organizing the visit was straightforward.

Kaitlin accepted his proposal without hesitation.

They spent a little more time discussing business before Kaitlin escorted Shawn out.

After he left, Kaitlin briefed Phoebe on Shawn's proposal, who echoed her initial enthusiasm.

The prospect was too beneficial to overlook, provided they vigilantly avoided any potential traps.