?Chapter 457:


    “Sadie, your downfall is inevitable,” she muttered under her breath. “Soon, your reputation will be ruined, and everything you hold dear will slip through your fingers. Just wait and see.”


    The truck came to a stop. Vivi stepped out, tilting her chin upward as she gazed at the upscale building before her. A smug satisfaction curled at the corners of her mouth.


    She was certain it wouldn’t take long for her to destroy Sadie’s life and take everything that should be hers, including Noah.


    After dropping Averi off at kindergarten, Sadie went to her studio, but an uneasy feeling gnawed at her all day.


    “Nte, how’s the progress on the design?” Sadie inquired, massaging her temples as she nced at Nte, who stood nearby.


    Nte, carrying a thick folder, let out a relieved sigh. “Everything’s been finalized. We’re just waiting on yourst review.”


    Gxy was Sadie’sbor of love, a ne she had meticulously crafted for the uing International Jewelry Design Competition. Every detail mattered. Taking the folder, Sadie carefully examined the sketches and notes inside. “Looks good,” she remarked approvingly. “The deadline is fast approaching. We can’t afford any errors.”


    Nte nodded with determination. “Understood. I’ll submit the finalized version first thing in the morning.”


    With a satisfied nod, Sadie issued a few more instructions before allowing Nte to return to work.


    As the office settled into silence, she leaned back in her chair, exhaling deeply. The exhausting workload of the past few days had taken its toll.


    The uingunch of the Gxy collection stirred an eager excitement within her. She was convinced that with Gxy, she would stand out at the International Jewelry Design Competition andpletely overshadow Vivi.


    As dusk settled, the city skyline flickered with countless glowing lights. Nte, having worked overtime, packed up her things and prepared to head home.


    hosts great stories


    Just as she exited the office and reached for a shared bike, a red sports car screeched to a sudden stop right in front of her.


    The tinted window slid down gradually, revealing a breathtaking face.


    It was K.


    Though she wore oversized sunsses that concealed most of her features, Nte recognized her instantly.


    “Miss… Miss Wade?” Nte stammered, caught between shock and unease.


    K removed her shades, exposing a pair of captivating eyes. She studied Nte carefully, a faint yet unreadable smile gracing her lips. “You’re Nte, aren’t you?” Her voice was soft and sugary, but beneath it lurked an unmistakable chill.


    A nervous jolt ran through Nte. Why was K here?


    “Y-Yes, that’s me,” she murmured, lowering her gaze, afraid to meet K’s piercing stare.


    “I heard… your mother got into serious trouble with gambling debts and was nearly beaten to death. She’s still in the ICU, isn’t she?” K’s tone was light, as though she were speaking about something insignificant.


    But to Nte, it felt like a thunderp. Her entire body stiffened, and her eyes widened in shock. She gaped at K in disbelief. “H-How do you know that?” Her voice quivered with fear.


    Nte had concealed her mother’s financial crisis and hospitalization from everyone, even Sadie. So how had K found out?


    K chuckled but didn’t offer an exnation. Instead, she reached into her designer handbag and pulled out a check, waving it teasingly in front of Nte.


    “Fifty thousand. Enough to cover the hospital bills?”


    .


    .


    .