After leaving Summit Crest Estates, Isadora Vaughan suddenly remembered she was supposed to have dinner with her old friend, Rowena ine. The events of the evening had left her so unsettled that she''d nearly forgotten.


    The restaurant Rowena had chosen was a cozy little bistro near Capitolion University. By the time Isadora hurried over, Rowena was already seated and had ordered their food.


    Rowena looked every inch the consummate professional-her short hair styled neatly, a crisp white blouse tucked into a smart gray skirt. Isadora couldn''t recall thest time she''d seen Rowena so put-together; back in college, she''d favored a far more rxed look.


    "Isadora, are you sure you want to join my design studio?" Rowena asked, her tone both hopeful and uncertain.


    Isadora idly stirred her lemonade, studying Rowena''s face before nodding. "I''m sure."


    Rowena looked at her in disbelief. "But your family''s business is thriving. You were a director, weren''t you? What brings you to my tiny ce?"


    "I''ve left the Vaughan family business," Isadora replied calmly. “Unless, of course, you don''t want me here?"


    Rowena''s confidence faltered. "It''s not that. I just thought... maybe you''d look down on me. You know things haven''t exactly gone well for metely."


    That was putting it mildly. In truth, things had gone terribly.


    Rowena''s mind drifted back to better days. "Back in college, the three of us—me, you, and Nte-I was always the one with the advantages. Now look at me; I''m the one who''s lost everything."


    Rowena had been an only child from a wealthy family, even studying abroad in Europe during her sophomore year. But her marriage to Abbott Beaumont had been a disaster-he''d stripped her family of everything, leaving her and her parents with nothing. Even her design studio was on the brink of copse,cking both funds and connections.


    Isadora reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Rowena, I''m starting over too. I was nning to open my own design firm, but you''re already ahead of me. Why not join forces?"


    In college, Rowena had always looked out for Isadora and Nte, the two underdogs in their group, often helping them out when they were struggling. Over the years, though, distance and time had eroded their closeness.


    Rowena dropped her gaze, her voice barely audible. "It''s not really apany. It''s just me—and a fresh-out-of-school assistant I can barely afford."


    "If you''re only doing this out of pity," she added softly, "you really don''t have to."


    Isadora gave her a reassuring smile. "You''re overthinking it. I''m a businesswoman too. If I''m investing my time and money, I want to do something worthwhile."


    Hearing that, Rowena dabbed at her eyes with a napkin, blinking away sudden tears.


    "Thank you, Isadora. You have no idea what it''s been like since my family lost everything. I finally understand what it means to see people''s true colors."


    "Nte used to say there was a distance between us, and I never believed her. But after going through what you two did, I realize how shallow I used to be."


    "Don''t say that," Isadora replied gently. "Back then, you were the only one who never looked down on Nte and me."


    "You know how Nte is her mouth can be sharp, but she''s always cared about you. Remember when she needed to switch agents and pay that huge penalty? The first person she called for help was you."


    Rowena finally managed a watery smile. "All right, let''s toast to our new partnership."


    "To us," Isadora agreed.


    When Isadora lifted her wine ss, a sapphire bracelet glimmered on her slender wrist, catching the light and drawing Rowena''s attention.


    Rowena''s eyes widened. "Isadora, that bracelet-is it a gift from your boyfriend?" Isadora lowered her gaze, her tone unreadable. "Just a friend."


    "A friend? No way anyone gives a bracelet like that unless he''s into you. At the very least, he''s a very special friend."


    Despite her recent hardships, Rowena''s upbringing in high society meant she still recognized a luxury piece when she saw one. "Do you have any idea how much that ne is worth?"