Chapter 4
Sean was one of the few who knew about Stella and Ernest’s relationship, and Ernest trusted him deeply. The sapphire tie clip Sean wore had in fact been picked out by Stella herself as a birthday gift for Ernest just a while ago.
At that very moment, the breaking news displayed on the large screen behind Stella glinted clearly in the sapphire’s surface. [Sylvia Jansen, the rising star designer, and Ernest Lloyd, the CEO of Lloyd Group, are set to appear at next month’s jewelry exhibition. Insiders suggest their relationship is about to reach a new level.]
Before Stella could snap out of her daze, Noreen caught up and snatched the file bag. “What are you trying to pull? Passing off these childish scribbles as your designs to fool Ernest? You really think he’d buy that?”
Stella took in Noreen’s flustered expression, steadied herself, and countered calmly, “If you’re so sure he won’t believe me, why are you acting so guilty?” The source of thɪs content is.net
“Guilty? Don’t flatter yourself. This is just another one of your pathetic attempts to get Ernest’s attention. You really think he’d fall for this?” Noreen shot back.
“Whether he will believe me or not, why don’t you open it and see for yourself?” Stella’s calm expression made Noreen feel something was off. She opened the file bag and glanced inside, only to freeze instantly.
‘A divorce agreement? Did I see that right? It’s impossible that Stella would want a divorce. Whatever. Who cares? The important thing is, it’s not the design.’ Overcome with utter relief, Noreen flung the bag at Sean and turned back to Stella with a sneer.
“Is this your new trick? Let me tell you, don’t waste your time. If you bother Ernest so much that he won’t even come home, you’ll be the one crying alone,” Noreen curled her lips in disdain.
“Say what you want.” Stella didn’t want to argue anymore. She turned to Sean and said, “Tell him to sign it and give it back to me soon. I’ll be waiting.” Then she walked away without looking back, making Noreen even angrier.
“What? You’re not content with causing your own trouble. Now you have to drag Sean into it? If Ernest gets mad, Sean’s the one who’ll take the blame. How can you be so cruel?” Noreen shouted.
But Stella ignored Noreen’s shouts completely. In frustration, Noreen stamped her foot and finally decided to run after Stella.
Sean stared at the file bag in his hand, recalling Noreen’s words. ‘All these years, Stella has tried every trick in the book to get Mr. Lloyd’s attention. Now he’s busy with Ms. Jansen. Bothering him with this now would surely end my career.’
He tossed the file bag into his desk drawer with a sneer. ‘I’ll give it to Mr. Lloyd later after he finishes his work and in a better mood. Even if I don’t, Stella will just cook up some other scheme when she doesn’t hear back. It won’t make any difference.’
Outside the Lloyd Group building, Stella was just about to hail a taxi when Noreen suddenly appeared and grabbed her arm firmly. “Hand over the design. This time, I’ll actually put in a good word for you with Ernest.”
The diamond-studded nails dug into the scar on Stella’s arm, and for a moment she was thrown back to the day after her wedding. ‘Back then, she grabbed me just like this, begging me to fix her project. At least she was polite at that time.’
“That won’t be necessary.” Stella pried Noreen’s fingers away, revealing a faint, pinkish mark where her ring had been. “Once Ernest signs the papers, I’ll have nothing to do with the Lloyd family.”
Noreen had never expected such defiance from Stella. Panic over the competition deadline intensified her rage. She snapped, “Know your place, Stella. Ruin my chance to compete, and I’ll make sure Ernest divorce you on the spot.”
‘Of course she doesn’t have the guts to divorce Ernest. There’s still time before the competition. She’ll definitely bring me the finished designs by tonight, like she always does.’
‘It’s always like this. Every time Ernest ignores her, she comes crawling back, begging me to put in a good word for her. As if I ever would. And he wouldn’t even care anyway.’
‘But that divorce agreement might really mean something. Maybe it won’t be long before he really does divorce her and marries Sylvia. I should get more designs out of Stella now. Stock up while I still can.’
‘I know she won’t give up without a fight. And even after the divorce, she’ll probably still give me whatever I ask for. But why take chances? Better to have a few extras ready before she starts acting difficult.’
‘I don’t need many. Just something to tide me over the first few days after her divorce. She’ll probably come begging within one day. And when she does, then I can ask for as many designs as I want. She’ll have to agree, no matter what.’
Satisfied with her plan, Noreen’s mood lightened a bit. A smug smile touched her lips as she turned and strode back toward the building, already anticipating the moment Stella would come crawling back.
After leaving Lloyd Group, Stella bought some daily necessities and supplies for her design work. When she got home, she put everything away, and then sorted through all the design works she had created over the years.
Looking at those plain designs, she could hardly believe she had made them. They were just for Noreen to turn in at the company, and with all the housework taking up her time, she never put her full effort into most of them.
Nothing was really wrong with those designs, but they weren’t special either. Stella never realized it until now. But seeing them like this, she knew her creativity had been fading away.
Putting the designs aside, Stella immediately dialed a number. “I need an invitation to next month’s jewelry exhibition,” she said, her voice calm but resolute.
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a man’s cold voice. “Are you sure? I’ve tried to persuade you so many times before, but you never listened. Why the sudden change of heart?”
Seabrook had hosted an annual jewelry exhibition for over twenty years. Fueled by the booming economy, the event had expanded dramatically, from just a few hundred booths in its early years to well over a thousand today, gaining international recognition.
As a result, many renowned jewelry designers would showcase their masterpieces there, while countless emerging designers would go to observe even if they couldn’t exhibit their own works, hoping to get some inspiration.
Stella had always been the exception. Year after year, she declined every invitation, her time swallowed by the unending demands of her family. Even when invitations arrived at her door, she gently turned them down. But now, for the first time, she asked for an invitation.
“I wasn’t thinking clearly back then. Now that I’ve woken up, it’s time to get back to work.” The line was silent for a moment before it was hung up. Stella understood her request had been accepted.
A resolved smile touched her lips as she put down her phone. There was something else she had decided but hadn’t spoken out. She was truly ready to make her comeback.