"She had her own dreams-she wanted to write travel blogs that truly meant


    something to her. Later, she started a really sessful blog of her own. Now she has a few million loyal followers. I''m so d she made it."


    Shirley''s eyes shone with envy as she spoke.


    Effie was stunned. How had she never heard any of this before?


    Maybe it was because, in those years, Mitchell hadn''t wanted her to get too involved in thepany''s decisions. He''d kept her so carefully sheltered, like a delicate flower in an ivory tower, that she''d convinced herself she was happy- lost in the illusion Mitchell had built around her.


    No wonder she''d never realized there were these unwritten rules in the industry.


    "Honestly, I know exactly where I stand with my work. I just wanted your opinion, that''s all. There''s no way you''d actually like my designs. But if, by some miracle, you really did, I''d be honored."


    Shirley didn''t have much confidence, but who else could she turn to if not Effie?


    Effie smiled reassuringly. "Don''t worry, I''ll look it over carefully. You can count on me."


    Shirley''s gratitude was obvious. "Thank you, Effie."


    "No problem," Effie replied.


    True to her word, Effie finished her own work and then dove into reviewing Shirley''s designs.


    When Shirley came back from Peter''s office, she looked dejected, her head hanging low. She noticed Effie was busy and hesitated to interrupt.


    But Effie spotted her and immediately wheeled over Shirley''s chair. "Shirley, your designs are great. They''re already at a level where they could go into production."


    Shirley stared at Effie, stunned. Her lips parted, but for a long moment, she couldn''t find any words.


    "Effie, really? But..."


    She trailed off, uncertainty clouding her face.


    "But what?" Effie prompted.


    Shirley forced a smile. "Peter just chewed me out. He said I was clumsy, that I couldn''t handle even the simplest tasks, let alone dream of bing an independent designer. He said I''d never make it in this business."


    She didn''t want to bad-mouth Peter, but the words still stung.


    Effie''s praise was almost too much to believe. Was she just being nice because they got along well? If that was the case, Shirley wished she wouldn''t.


    "So you don''t have to sugarcoat it, Effie. Just be honest. I can take it."


    Effie blinked in surprise. "Shirley, what makes you think your designs aren''t good enough? I''m not the type to lie if something''s good, I''ll say so; if not, I''ll tell you straight. I''m just telling the truth here."


    She paused, then added, "If you don''t believe me, I''ll go straight to Irving and ask him to send your designs to the factory. Then we''ll see them in the new collection at The Etheridge Group''s jewelry store."


    "Effie, don''t do anything rash!" Shirley still couldn''t believe Effie was serious.


    Just hearing that Effie liked her work was enough to make her day-how could she possibly expect her designs to actually be produced and sold?


    Most designers here got scolded almost daily-something was always not good enough. Irving Butler, the head of design, never handed outpliments.


    Effie shook her head. "I''m not just saying this to cheer you up! The only reason you don''t have confidence in your work is because some people want that way. You''re a great assistant-smart, fast, and reliable. And in this industry, thepetition is fierce. Thest thing they want is another strong designer in the mix. If you were in their shoes, would you want someone like you as yourpetition?"