Effie hadn''t lied-when Ms. Cooper got angry, she really did block Effie''s number.


    Effie spoke up again, her tone earnest. "I admit, I really didn''t handle things well before, and I wasted your valuable time. I want to sincerely apologize. If you''re willing, please give me another chance. This time, I promise I''ll put my full effort into your design and deliver a result that satisfies you."


    Ms. Cooper''s expression softened a little. Effie wasn''t making excuses or shifting me—she was taking responsibility and apologizing.


    But even so, Ms. Cooper wasn''t swayed. She simply couldn''t forgive someone who didn''t respect her time.


    "I ept your apology," Ms. Cooper said crisply, "but I don''t think we need to continue working together."


    Effie persisted. "Actually, I''ve been reviewing your requests these past few days. I put together a new design draft based on your feedback. This is just the first draft would you like to take a look?"


    She slid the portfolio across the table toward Ms. Cooper.


    But Ms. Cooper was a perfectionist-organized, meticulous, and demanding nothing less than excellence. The moment she noticed the crumpled sheets in Effie''s portfolio, her gaze darkened, a sh of displeasure in her eyes.


    "You bring me a wrinkled draft?" she said sharply. "That shows you don''t respect me or my project. I see no reason to look any further."


    Effie bit her lip. The designs had been fine earlier-something must have happened along the way... But what was the point of making excuses? Wrinkled was wrinkled.


    She bowed her head. "I''m sorry. That''s on me. But regardless of the paper, the designs themselves are good. Would you at least take a look-?"


    Before she could finish, Ms. Cooper brushed her hand aside, and Effie lost her grip—the portfolio scattered, pages spilling across the floor.


    Effie hurried to crouch down, gathering the sheets as quickly as she could.


    Just then, two people approached and greeted Ms. Cooper. "Ms. Cooper, good morning."


    Ms. Cooper''s demeanor shifted in an instant, her tone warming. "Good morning, Miss Isabel."


    Isabel shed a bright, poised smile. "Sorry, the traffic was rough this morning. I was afraid I''d bete."


    Ms. Cooper checked her watch and gave a small shake of her head. "Not at all. I was simply early."


    Ms. Cooper was famously punctual-she hated making people wait, and she hated being made to wait just as much. As a rule, she always arrived ahead of time.


    Isabel said, "Thank you so much for inviting me to represent yourpany''s new product."


    Ms. Cooper replied, "You''re very wee. My daughter is a huge fan-she''s looked up to you for years. That''s the real reason I wanted you as our spokesperson."


    "Really? That''s such an honor for me," Isabel replied, her face lighting up.


    Ms. Cooper went on, "She''s actually here today. I''ll introduce youter, if that''s alright?"


    "I''d love that."


    By now, Effie had managed to gather almost all the scattered pages-except for one, which had ended up beneath Isabel''s foot.


    Just as Effie reached for it, Isabel noticed a hand at her feet and, startled, instinctively stepped back.


    Effie was just about to pick up thest page.


    Isabel saw what was happening, and with a deliberate motion, shifted her shoe to


    pin Effie''s hand. "Oh! You startled me," she said with exaggerated surprise.


    Ms. Cooper remained silent, but she''d seen the whole exchange.


    "Mommy!" A familiar child''s voice rang out. Effie instinctively looked up.


    Her gaze met that of a young girl, who immediately hurried over with bright eyes. "Hey, it''s you!" she called to Effie.


    Ms. Cooper looked from Effie to her daughter, suspicion flickering in her expression. "Lina, do you two know each other?"