Chapter 6
Stella stared at the “Submission Successful” notification, sitting motionless for a long while. For the first time, she felt deeply uncertain about her own design and it even left her with a lingering sense of unease.
Returning to the workplace was easier said than done, especially in today’s constantly evolving world, where jewelry design trends also changed at a fast pace.
For six years, the only time she drew was when Noreen needed a design. She never sketched for herself. Lately, even Noreen had started to complain that her work was not as good as it used to be. It was then that Stella realized how much she had fallen behind.
‘Back then, I left without looking back. If all I do now is slow people down, how can I even talk about coming back?’ Deep in thought, Stella was startled by her ringing phone. She stared at the name on the screen, pressed her lips together, and finally answered.
“Meet me at the company’s downstairs café in thirty minutes,” a calm male voice stated. The line went dead before Stella could respond, leaving her heart sinking.
Stella changed and did her makeup in a rush, arriving at the café with just three minutes to spare. Nervously, she sat down opposite a man and said. “Jeremy.”
Jeremy Ford looked up, his gaze passing through his elegant gold-rimmed glasses and falling straight on Stella’s face, with a hint of scrutiny. “What would you like to drink?”
“Fruit…” Stella started, out of habit nearly asking for her daughter’s favorite juice, but she stopped herself and changed her mind. “A cup of Mandeling, please.”
Jeremy glanced at her but remained silent. Only after the coffee had been served and the waiter walked away did he take out a design drawing and place it on the table. “Is this yours?”
Stella had expected him to recognize it, so she admitted openly. “Do you want to come back to the company?” Jeremy asked once more. Without a moment’s hesitation, Stella firmly admitted again.
The air fell still. After a moment, Jeremy spoke, his voice calm but deliberate, “What about your husband and daughter? Don’t you need to take care of them now?”
Stella’s face paled. Jeremy’s words struck like a sharp knife, piercing the deepest and most guiltiest corner of her heart. “No,” she said. “I’m already preparing for a divorce.”
Jeremy froze for a second, a hint of surprise flashing across his face before he regained his composure. He folded his hands on the table and studied Stella intently, who seemed familiar yet somehow strange.
“When you gave up the Starlit Tear project for Ernest back then, did you ever stop to think how disappointed Ms. Preston would be?” Jeremy’s question was direct and pointed.
Stella lowered her head further, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m sorry.” The words hung in the air, heavy with regret she had carried for years.
“What’s the point of apologizing now? The Starlit Tear project has been on hold all this time, waiting only for you,” Jeremy replied, his tone sharp yet carrying a hint of expectation.
Stella hesitated, her expression uncertain. “But I’m not sure whether my design is still up to the company’s standards. That’s why I submitted my work. I wanted to see the internal feedback first.”
Jeremy frowned. Everyone knew he and Stella had graduated from the same university, but no one was aware they had both studied under Beverley Preston.
Beverley once remarked that Stella was the most gifted and passionate designer she had ever taught. During her college years, Stella carried herself with a certain pride. She had even boast that she could produce whatever design she wanted.
In those days, she was truly radiant with self-assurance. But now, after completing a design, she wanted to show it to junior colleagues and hear their opinions.
Jeremy also knew about Ernest, the CEO of Lloyd Group. His company was an industry leader with billions in assets, yet he had allowed his wife to fade into the background. One could easily imagine what their marriage had been like.
“What’s wrong? Has your confidence faded that much? Or are you doubting Ms. Preston’s teaching now?” Jeremy asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“No, I would never doubt Ms. Preston,” Stella said, looking up abruptly. Beverley Preston was a world-renowned master of design, widely regarded as one of the finest in her field. Any stone she touched was turned into a masterpiece.
“There you go. Ms. Preston always said you had even more talent than she did. It doesn’t matter that you’re a bit behind now. If you bring back even half the determination you once used on that man, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish,” Jeremy said, his tone encouraging.
Stella forced a bitter smile. “Jeremy, are you praising me or scolding me here?” She lowered her head slightly, a trace of self-mockery in her eyes.
“What do you think?” Jeremy extended his hand toward her. “Stella, welcome back.” She quickly reached out and shook it, a sense of familiarity from the past washing over her. It truly felt like a return.
“Want to go back to the company and have a look right now?” Jeremy offered, his tone warm and inviting.
“Jeremy, I want to take some time to sharpen my skills first. I can’t promise I’ll be outstanding, but at the very least, I won’t hold anyone back.” Stella knew the company didn’t need a designer who would just slow the team down.
“Alright. I’ll have someone sort out the company’s design archives from recent years and send them over to you. As for competition entries, you can look those up on your own,” Jeremy said.
“Thank you, Jeremy. I really mean it,” Stella replied, her voice sincere. “I won’t let you down.”
They chatted for a while longer before Jeremy stood up and left. Just as Stella was also getting ready to leave, a voice full of surprise suddenly came from beside her.
“Stella? Is that really you?” Noreen marched directly over to Stella. She opened her mouth to say more, but noticing the glances from nearby, she lowered her voice to a harsh whisper.
“Why aren’t you at home drawing? What are you doing here? And who was that man? Does Ernest know you’re out having coffee with someone else?” Noreen asked.
This series of questions made Stella’s expression darken instantly. ‘In Noreen’s eyes, even having coffee with a man was something I had to report to Ernest. But Ernest has been seen openly with his mistress, and Noreen has never once said a word against it.’
‘In the past, I might choose to compromises to save my marriage. But now that I’m ready to divorce, why should I keep swallowing my pride and trying to please someone who has never respected me?’
With that, Stella replied bluntly, “I told you, I won’t be drawing designs for you anymore. If I ever pick up a pen again, it’ll be for myself.” From then on, she decided never to show Noreen another design, not even a discarded sketch.
Noreen was stunned that Stella had rejected her again. The competition deadline was closing in, the outcome of which would determine whether her work could be exhibited smoothly. There was no margin for error at this critical stage.
‘Does Stella really not care about Ernest or the Lloyd family anymore? No, that can’t be. I know better than anyone how much she has sacrificed for him all these years. There’s no way she would just walk away,’ Noreen thought to herself.
Then a smug look slowly returned to Noreen’s face. “Stella, even if you’re trying to get Ernest’s attention, don’t push it too far. If I tell him you were here with some strange man, don’t you think he’ll be even more disgusted with you?”