Lina recounted the entire incident to Ms. Cooper, her words animated and expressive. Ms. Cooper listened intently, her gaze never leaving her daughter.


    Just then, Isabel, distracted, stepped backward and identally bumped into the table. The coffee spilled everywhere, sshing across the tablecloth and scattering napkins. Chaos erupted for a moment as everyone''s attention snapped to Isabel.


    Carole seized the opportunity, gently grabbing Isabel''s hand under the table, giving her a reassuring squeeze. Isabel bit her lip, too tense to say a word.


    Effie''s sharp eyes didn''t miss a thing. She looked at Isabel and asked, "Miss Isabel, you seem awfully nervous all of a sudden. Is everything alright?"


    Isabel shot Effie a re and snapped, "And what exactly makes you think I''m nervous?"


    Effie just shrugged, shing a polite smile. “Oh, my mistake. Maybe I read you wrong."


    Turning back to Ms. Cooper, Lina said, "Mom, if it hadn''t been for her-really, the rescue team said so if she hadn''t pressed all those buttons and stopped the elevator, we might not have gotten out safely."


    Ms. Cooper, still shaken by the memory, pulled Lina in for a tight hug.


    Suddenly remembering something, she turned to Effie. "Thank you," she said sincerely.


    Effie shook her head. "You don''t need to thank me. I was in the elevator too. I just did what anyone would do. If I hadn''t, I''d have been in trouble as well."


    She nced around at the gathering and added, "Since you have guests to entertain, I won''t keep you. I''ll be off now. Perhaps we''ll talk again another time."


    With that, Effie took her leave.


    Her calm, unassuming manner left a favorable impression on Ms. Cooper. Effie hadn''t tried to take credit for saving Lina, which made Ms. Cooper appreciate her even more.


    Once things had settled, Lina turned to her mother. "Mom, why did thatdye by earlier, anyway?"


    Ms. Cooper replied, "She''s a jewelry designer. I was thinking ofmissioning a set for your graduation gift. But she waste-didn''t even show up for our meeting. I don''t want to work with someone who has no sense of time or responsibility."


    Lina''s eyes widened in disappointment. “That''s a shame. She didn''t seem like that kind of person to me. Maybe she had a good reason?"


    Ms. Cooper said nothing, her silence speaking volumes.


    Suddenly, Isabel, who had been ignored until now, spoke up. "You''re still young, Lina. You don''t always know what''s in someone''s heart. Some people only get close to you because they want something."


    Lina froze, then frowned. "No way. She doesn''t even know me," she protested.


    Isabel pressed on. "Ms. Cooper never invited her here today. Yet somehow she managed to find her way in. Don''t you think that''s odd?"


    Lina pursed her lips and fell silent, doubt flickering across her face. Isabel had a point, even if Lina didn''t want to believe it.


    Sensing an opening, Isabel decided to stir the pot a little more. "To be honest, Designer Bagnold isn''t that talented. I once asked her to design some jewelry for me, and her work looked suspiciously simr to pieces by famous international designers. She just called it ''inspiration,'' but wouldn''t admit to copying."


    She left her usation hanging, offering just enough truth to be believable without going too far. Her aim was clear: cast doubt on Effie''s reputation.


    Lina red at her. "Why are you speaking badly about her?" she demanded.


    Isabel faltered. Wasn''t Lina supposed to admire her? Why was she defending Effie instead?


    Trying to recover, Isabel said, "Lina, do you even know who I am?”


    Lina narrowed her eyes. "Does it really matter who you are?"