"Thank you for your trust, Miss Isabel. Do you have any specific preferences when ites to jewelry styles?" Effie opened her sketchbook with practiced ease, ready to take notes.


    Isabel''s gaze lingered on Effie''s face for a moment, then she smiled, her tone tinged with arrogance. "Designer Bagnold, I assume you''re a professional? After all, I''m a public figure—I can''t just have any amateur working for me. I need someone with real expertise."


    Effie hesitated for an instant, catching the edge in Isabel''s voice.


    "Miss Isabel, rest assured, I''ll design jewelry that perfectly matches your taste and personality. If you''re not satisfied, you''re always wee to choose someone else."


    Effie''s reply was calm and poised, not a hint of nervousness in her demeanor.


    A flicker of intrigue shed in Isabel''s eyes. "Actually, my requirements are simple, Designer Bagnold-what I want is something unique, something unforgettable. Next month''s awards g is a big deal for me. I need to be the center of attention."


    Effie nodded, earnest and focused. "Understood. I''ll highlight your personal charm in the design and incorporate distinctive elements to ensure the piece is both elegant and striking."


    Isabel smiled, her words carrying a hidden meaning. "I trust you—after all, I think we see things the same way."


    If Effie didn''t catch the undercurrent in Isabel''s remark, she might as well have slept through thest twenty-odd years of her life.


    Clearly, Isabel already knew her true identity and had sought her out on purpose. Effie kept her cool, responding lightly, "I think everyone appreciates beautiful things."


    The calmer Effie appeared, the more Isabel seemed to seethe inside.


    Well, soon enough, everyone would see whether Effie actually had any talent.


    If she really got this job through connections, what right did she have to stick around? And if this woman ended up embarrassing Lyman, why would he ever keep her by his side?


    "Let''s hope you can deliver something truly stunning, Designer Bagnold," Isabel said, her tone almost challenging.


    "I''ll do my best. I''ll send you the first draft in three days." Effie''s manner was strictly professional.


    "Then I''ll be waiting to hear from you." Isabel''s voice was cool as she got up. "And one more thing, Designer Bagnold-just a word of advice. Don''t waste your time chasing after things that don''t belong to you."


    "Don''t worry, Miss Isabel," Effie replied evenly. "What''s yours will be yours. If it isn''t meant to be, there''s no point forcing it."


    Isabel left in a huff, her frustration almost palpable.


    Effie let out a quiet sigh-Isabel really hadn''t wasted any time making her move.


    Still, Effie couldn''t help feeling a bit apprehensive. Isabel was clearly not someone to take lightly, and who knew what she''d pull next?


    But since Lyman hadn''t said anything, Effie decided to y dumb and let things y out.


    As she was clocking out, Effie''s phone buzzed-it was her mother-inw, Lindy, calling.


    "Hi, Mom..."


    "Effie, I tried calling Lyman but he didn''t pick up. When you finish work,e home together for dinner. I made a special soup for you," Lindy said warmly. Whenever she made something good, Lindy always thought of Effie first.


    Effie''s heart softened. "Thank you, Mom. We''ll head over after work. Lyman''s probably in a meeting."


    "Hmph, just like him-always working, never thinking of anything else," Lindy grumbled.


    Effieughed. "Alright, Mom, I''ll see you soon. We''ll be home a bitter." "Alright, dear."


    After hanging up, Effie sent Lyman a quick message to let him know they needed to go to his family''s ce for dinner.


    Lyman replied almost immediately, telling her to wait for him at the corner outside her office.


    A short whileter, when Effie stepped out, she spotted Lyman''s car waiting just up the street.