The remaining hour and a half were spent on more intricate topics.
Liz exined design theories, crafting techniques, and the concept of timelessness in jewelry.
She emphasized the importance of self-expression and how to trante inspiration into tangible, wearable art.
Her passion for the subject shone through, and Hera listened intently, absorbing every word like a sponge.
Liz was amazed by how quickly Hera absorbed her advice and put it into action.
Watching Hera’s enthusiasm ignite as she began sketching a design inspired by the given topic filled Liz with excitement.
It wasn’t just the speed at which Hera worked that impressed Liz—it was the depth of her creativity.
Not everyone could conjure inspiration so effortlessly from a simple prompt.
Hera’s talent went beyond technical skill; she had an innate understanding of the timelessness of jewelry, creating designs that would remain appealing across eras.
Perhaps it was her exposure to a wealth of ssic pieces and diverse essories in her walk-in closet, or maybe her vivid imagination yed a key role.
Whatever the reason, witnessing Hera’s process was nothing short of astonishing for Liz.
Liz sped her hands together in excitement, falling silent as she watched Hera work.
The fact that Hera trusted her enough to sketch her ideas on the spot, without fear of having them stolen, deeply surprised Liz.
In an industry where giarism was all toomon—where inspiration didn’te as easily as it did for Hera—it wasn’t unusual for people to sumb to the temptation of iming someone else’s ideas, especially if those ideas promised fame and fortune.
Yet, Hera’s openness and confidence in her creativity set her apart, leaving Liz both amazed and honored.
What Liz didn’t realize was that during her drive to the Green Dragon Manor, Hera had already instructed Gerald to investigate her.
As a shrewd businesswoman, Hera believed it was better to err on the side of caution, especially when faced with a proposition like Liz’s.
By the time Liz arrived, Hera was well-informed about Liz’s background, including the recent events at the quarterly shareholders’ meeting in herpany.
While Hera genuinely appreciated Liz’s guidance, her decision to sketch in Liz’s presence wasn’t born solely from trust—it was also a calcted test to gauge Liz’s character.
Just as Liz thought, the allure of fame and wealth could easily stir greed in anyone.
When such a tempting opportunity was ced before them, their true nature often emerged.
While Liz might currently feel overwhelmed by the grandeur of Hera’s home, that initial intimidation could quickly fade if she began to believe that achieving simr wealth and sess was within her grasp—especially if a shortcut presented itself.
Moreover, Liz didn’t know Hera’s true status.
Like many others, she might assume Hera was merely a kept woman or someone with little substance behind her wealth.
Moreover, Hera had never formally studied jewelry design, nor did she participate inpetitions like Liz had.
To an outsider, Hera’s credibility as a designer might seem weak, making it easier to steal her work without fear of repercussions.
Even if Athena vouched for her, people might dismiss it as a gesture of loyalty rather than proof of Hera’s talent.
All of this would make Hera an easy target for those seeking to im her designs as their own.
When all these factors converged, they created the perfect storm to cloud one’s judgment with temptation and greed, exposing their true character—or worse, corrupting them entirely.
Fully aware of this, Hera sketched on undeterred, her mind brimming with inspiration.
Liz, captivated, stayed silent as her eyes followed the fluid motion of Hera’s hands gliding across the sketchpad.
Though Hera’s rough sketches appeared somewhat chaotic, resembling the hurried scrawls of a chicken’s feet, the brilliance of her ideas was undeniable.
With careful refinement and the addition of intricate details, each concept had the potential to transform into a masterpiece worthy of submission to apetition.
If Liz were inclined to steal the designs for herself, she could easily memorize the key ideas and concepts, then add a few of her own touches to make it seem like her own creation.
As she watched Hera sketch so quickly, tearing off each page and scattering them across the table, Liz took a shaky breath.
She could only watch in silence, her eyes wide and her jaw clenched, feeling increasingly helpless in the face of Hera’s relentless speed and talent.
Was she tempted?
Far from it.
In fact, she felt utterly crushed.
It was as if her entire life had been a lie.
Memories of her sleepless nights spent brainstorming ideas, perfecting techniques, and dedicating herself to her studies shed before her eyes.
The years she had sacrificed to be a skilled designer seemed meaningless now, overshadowed by someone who hadn’t even studied jewelry design.
Hera had only spent an hour and a half learning the history and techniques on the same day, yet she was surpassing Liz in ways she couldn’tprehend.
Liz felt as though her life was a joke, her family is a joke, and the world itself was all a cruel joke.
Later, Liz’s eyes welled with tears, her gaze reddening as though she had been wronged.
Her confidence crumbled, shattering into pieces.
She could no longer view jewelry design with the same passion.
At first, she had believed she was doing Hera a favor, sharing her expertise and guidance.
But now, reality hit hard. It was clear that even without her, Hera would have still risen to the top.
Hera had always had a vision, a spark of creativity, and had even crafted jewelry before.
Liz was left grappling with the painful truth that Hera’s sess was never dependent on her.
Liz felt the urge to cry as she watched Hera in silence, but no tears came.
A dull ache settled in her chest, the weight of it almost unbearable.
Yet, she refused to let go of the fragile dignity and pride she had left. So, she forced herself to appear unaffected, masking the turmoil within with a stoic expression.