Susu took the contract and flipped through it from beginning to end. It did not mention that it was a personal contract between Sophie and the sponsor, but was signed in the name of the studio.
She didn't understand how Sophie managed to get all the studio's seals and original qualification documents. This had always been managed by Zhang Ting, and no designer had ever been in charge of it.
Before Susu could speak, Shishi had already asked Zhang Ting on her behalf, "These things have always been kept by you. Why did Sophie get them?"
Zhang Ting was on the verge of tears and hurriedly explained, "When Sophie was preparing for the launch event, Sister Gu asked us to give her full support. She said she needed the studio's qualification certificates to rent the venue for the launch event, and the exhibition center required these documents. I didn't think much of it and gave them to her. I didn't know what kind of contract she would sign with them."
Yu Wei, standing aside, was not interested in their internal affairs and said impatiently, "President Gu, Designer Gu, Sophie is gone now. Should this contract be your responsibility? Or perhaps you could have your finance department hand over the revenue statements so my finance department can audit them and see if your twenty percent annual revenue is enough to repay our sponsorship fee?"
"How much sponsorship fee can you provide, and you can also draw dividends from our studio every year! Is this usury?" Shishi asked impolitely.
Yu Wei smiled and said, "You're very smart. The interest rate is indeed a bit high."
Susu had roughly read the contents of the contract and handed it to Shishi, saying, "They are indeed practicing usury."
Shishi glanced at the basic terms of the contract and was also greatly surprised.
Susu calmed down and said, "Sir, may I have your surname?"
"My surname is Yu."
"Mr. Yu, please be patient. I only just learned that Sophie signed this contract with you. But she is gone now, and we don't know under what circumstances she signed the contract with you or what exactly happened," Susu said. "Even if she signed it in the name of our studio, without my signature, it means I did not approve of her actions. So, let's wait until we find her and understand the whole situation before we sit down and negotiate."
Yu Wei said coldly, "What do you mean by that? Are you trying to renege on the deal? I will hire a lawyer to sue you!"
"As you wish. I don't mind going to court. I certainly do not agree with such a contract," Susu said, no longer being polite. "If there's nothing else, please leave. I won't see you out."
At this moment, Shishi also stepped forward and said to Yu Wei and his subordinates, "Did you hear that? Good riddance."
Yu Wei's subordinates wanted to make a move, but Zhang Ting immediately said, "If you don't leave now, I'll call security."
Yu Wei signaled to stop his subordinates, snorted, and left the studio.
Everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Susu instructed Zhang Ting, "Let everyone leave on time. For the next few days, please ask the building's security to patrol specifically outside the studio."
"Okay."
Susu dismissed everyone and called Shishi into her office.
The other people in the studio began to whisper, wondering if Sophie knew she had sold the studio, caused a lot of trouble, and then ran away to hide.
Everyone was worried that the studio might go bankrupt and close down due to such trouble.
Susu sat at her desk, feeling a headache and overwhelmed. She hadn't expected Sophie to be so foolish as to sign a contract for such a big matter without consulting her.
At first, when Sophie said she could handle all the matters for the launch event, Susu thought it was an opportunity for Sophie to gain experience, so she encouraged and trusted her, letting her showcase her talents.
But this was how she handled everything, selling out the studio and falling into someone else's trap.
Before Susu could speak, Shishi said angrily, "Sister Gu, this person named Yu is not a good person. Actually, Huo Zheng is investigating this person. After the incident at the last launch event, we all felt something was wrong. Huo Zheng advised me not to alert them and to investigate him secretly while helping you."
"Thank you, thank you both," Susu said gratefully.
Shishi quickly replied, "Sister Gu, don't say that. After I graduated, I was fortunate to have you guide me into the industry, which allowed me to realize my dream of becoming a fashion designer. As for Huo Zheng, you know him; he has always cared about you. This is all we should do."
Hearing Shishi say this, Susu felt a little better and smiled at her, saying, "Now, I just want to find Sophie as soon as possible and clarify the whole situation. Can you think carefully if she hasn't been to the studio these past two days, or contacted anyone?"
Shishi shook her head, "No. It's strange, isn't it? I thought she did all this to prove she was the most outstanding in the studio. Now that she's at the peak of her glory, why would she hide and disappear?"
This was also something Susu couldn't figure out. Sophie had vanished. But judging by the situation, the last person who saw Sophie before she disappeared was Tianyi.
Tianyi had confirmed that he had sent Sophie into a car, which should have been a taxi. Tianyi had no reason to lie to her.
Unless... unless something unspeakable happened between them. Did something happen between them, or did he do something to Sophie?
"Sister Gu, Sister Gu, what should we do now?" Shishi asked worriedly, seeing her silent.
Susu thought for a moment and said, "I will find a professional lawyer to review this contract, and I am already asking people to look for Sophie. We should have some news soon. You all continue to work with peace of mind. I will not let the studio be affected in any way."
"Okay." Shishi couldn't help but ask, "Sister Gu, are you and Mr. Qin alright? You love each other so much, please don't be affected by a few photos and public opinion."
Susu smiled and said, "These things can't break our relationship."
Shishi became happy and said, "That's great! I was worried. No wonder Huo Zheng said I worry too much."
"How are things progressing between you and Huo Zheng?" Susu spoke up for Huo Zheng, "Although he can be a bit unreliable, he is a good person, and his heart is very kind..."
Shishi blushed and took the opportunity to clarify with Susu, as she had promised Huo Zheng.
"Sister Gu, there's nothing between him and me. You must have misunderstood. It's just that I had some family matters, so I asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend. Don't worry, it's not real, it's pretend."
"You've even got a pretend boyfriend and you say there's nothing going on." Susu laughed at her. "Why are you so nervous, asking me to rest assured? I only love my husband, and I don't have any feelings for Huo Zheng."
"But the condition he agreed to for pretending to be my boyfriend was that you wouldn't misunderstand," Shishi said with a pout, sounding a little wronged.
"Don't listen to him. I think he has feelings for you but doesn't realize it. You should handle it yourself."
Shishi's eyes lit up, and she nodded, saying, "I understand. But this is something that can't be forced. It depends on fate."
"Go for it."
"Go for it," Shishi responded to her cheerfully and left the office.
Susu looked at her retreating back and seemed to see Sophie from years ago.
Sophie back then was also lively, straightforward, and righteous, just like Shishi is now... She felt an indescribable sense of loss.