Chapter 71
Chapter 76
Stella shook her head and told Jeremy everything about the upcoming jewelry exhibition showdown. “This could really shake things up for the company. You’d better be ready,” she warned him.
Neither Stella nor Sylvia were solo designers-they both worked under Lumière Group and Lloyd Group. So their showdown was pretty much a face-off between two jewelry companies.
Plus, both companies were major players in Seabrook. Once the news broke, it was sure to cause a stir.
As for keeping things under wraps, Stella didn’t worry much about it.
Considering Sylvia’s personality, she knew Sylvia was full of confidence and would never consider the possibility of losing. For a contest Sylvia already thought she’d won, there was no need to keep it a secret.
Stella was pretty sure Sylvia would absolutely go public with it, hyping up her own skills for everyone to see.
To be honest, Stella totally called it. Jeremy’s phone dinged twice. He checked the message, and his brows knitted together.
“Sylvia’s already spread the word among the industry insiders-she’s publicly challenged you to a showdown,” he told her.
“Huh?” Stella was taken aback, surprised that her guess had actually hit the mark. “So, what’s the buzz? How are people reacting?”
“What do you think?” Jeremy shot back.
If Jeremy didn’t know just how good Stella was, he’d probably agree with the masses. “One’s a hotshot rising star in the jewelry scene, the other? No one’s even heard of you. Right now, everyone’s betting on Sylvia and basically roasting you.”
“Well, that’s what I expected,” Stella replied nonchalantly. She felt no pressure-on the day of the competition, everyone would see who had the real talent.
“Wait!” Jeremy suddenly looked up, his expression changing as he read another message. “The organizers of the jewelry exhibition just messaged me. They’ve invited…”
He swallowed hard, making Stella’s heart race.
“They’ve invited Ms. Preston,” he finally said.
Just moments ago, Stella felt totally chill, but now the pressure crashed down on her like a ton of bricks.
“Wait—what?” she whispered, shocked. “Ms. Preston absolutely loathes these kinds of events.”
Yes, Stella did miss Beverley and had been hoping to see her again, but seriously-not in this kind of setting.
Seven years had dulled her creativity. Even if her jewelry designs were amazing, Stella doubted they’d impress Beverley, who had famously high standards.
Just imagining the way Beverley would pick apart her designs from start to finish made Stella shudder.
“Who knows,” Jeremy shrugged with a helpless smile. “I can’t read Ms. Preston’s mind either.”
“Jeremy, save me,” Stella clung to his arm like it was her one and only hope.
Unfortunately, he instantly pulled away. “No way. I’m not getting roasted by Ms. Preston with you,” he said with a grin.
He hadn’t been able to stop Stella from her wild ideas back then, and he’d caught plenty of heat from Beverley for it.
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Chapter 76
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“Hey, don’t forget-you’re Ms. Preston’s favorite student. She won’t have the heart to really scold you,” Jeremy reassured, giving Stella a quick pat on the shoulder before leaving without a second thought.
“Whatever, there’s no escaping what’s coming,” Stella sighed to herself, deciding not to dwell on it any further. She went right back to working on her jewelry designs, throwing herself into her craft.
‘Maybe if Ms. Preston sees my designs are actually great, she’ll cut me some slack,’ Stella thought, hopefully.
Before she noticed, night had already fallen. The moon was hanging high above, stars scattered all across the sky-a scene as beautiful as a painting.
Strands of moonlight drifted down through the domed ceiling, highlighting the weariness etched into Stella’s face.
When Jeremy walked in, he froze. Stella looked absolutely ghastly, like the living dead. “Are you seriously trying to work yourself into an early grave just so you can dodge Ms. Preston’s scolding?” he teased.
“Come on, Jeremy, quit joking around,” Stella muttered, sounding defeated. She’d put so much effort into the designs today trying to wow Beverley.
“Alright, alright, since you’re running yourself ragged, let me treat you to a big meal later,” Jeremy grinned, hoping to lighten her mood.
“Let’s pass on that,” Stella shook her head, looking tired. “I’ve gotta get home tonight.”
Jeremy knew right away she wasn’t talking about the Jansen family or the Lloyds-she meant her uncle’s house, the one place that truly felt like home for her. Read full story at ⓝovelFind.net
“Alright then, I won’t see you off. Just give my regards to Richard when you get there,” Jeremy said with a wave.
“Got it,” Stella replied.
Evelyn Spencer nearly lost her temper at Stella right across the dinner table. “Just look at you! If you keep pushing yourself like this, I’m honestly worried you’ll drop dead from exhaustion in a couple of days.”
“Don’t jinx it,” Richard cut in sharply, shaking his head at Evelyn’s words. –
“Richard,” Evelyn groaned, clearly frustrated. “If I don’t nag her, will she ever listen? She always promises to take it easy, but then burns herself out again. Look at how drained she looks every time she comes home. I…”
Evelyn’s voice wavered, her eyes stinging. “It honestly breaks my heart to see her like this.”
No one at the table could help but feel heartache for Stella-the worry in their eyes said it all.
Stella had been living with the Spencer family since she was just a little girl. They’d practically raised her, and she was like the little princess of the family.
Even the smallest injury or when she was tired or hungry, they’d all be worried sick. Now, seeing her so exhausted and drained, it broke their hearts.
Richard switched gears, joining in the scolding. “Stella, I’ve gotta say-you really should listen to your aunt. She’s only nagging because she cares about you.”
That was all it took for Marvin and Harvey to pile on, starting to lecture Stella as well.
Marvin was genuinely worried, but Harvey had a mischievous grin on his face, clearly enjoying watching her get scolded.
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When the family started ganging up like this, Stella knew the smoothest move was to throw someone else under the bus.
With a sly grin, she went in for the save. “Grandpa, Uncle Marvin, Aunt Evelyn-Harvey’s already all grown up. Isn’t it about time you find him a wife?”
Instantly, the whole table went quiet. Just like that, the wave of scolding crashed onto Harvey instead, and he was seriously sweating bullets.
“Stella, you’re doomed,” Harvey muttered through gritted teeth.
Stella chuckled softly. “Harvey, you’d better focus on surviving Grandpa and your parents first.”
Harvey was just about to say something, but Evelyn cut him right off, giving him a quick smack on the head.
She fixed him with a fierce glare. “You what, huh? Stella’s got a point. At your age, you should be married with kids running around. How do you not even have a girlfriend yet? Aren’t you embarrassed?”
“I…” Harvey tried once more, but Evelyn shot him down again.
She fired back, relentless. “You’ve spent all these years overseas, in a place where people are more open-minded, and you still didn’t bring home a foreign wife? How can you even show your face here?”
“Aren’t you worried my wife might cheat on me?” Harvey asked.