Chapter 8
To Chelsea, Winston was like a walking iceberg–cold, impenetrable, and not remotely worth the effort of trying to crac
ack in her throat, and the swallowed them down.
She’d thought about asking him to celebrate her new job, but the words got stuck in
Winston slipped on his slippers, harely managing a
ga “Hmm?” without even noticing that she’d stopped mad–sentence.
“It’s nothing, just a job at a jewelry company His complete lack of interest snuffed out whatever excitement i quietly headed to her room.
Winston frowned, almost as if he wondered if maylie, just maybe, she was a bit ticked off.
Gathering her tiles, Chelsea
The next morning, Chelsea was up early, grabbed a quick bite, and dashed out without a word to Winston
He ate breakfast alone, shrugged, and headed out a bit later himself.
At Amber Jewels, Chelsea threw herself into work, fine–tuning her design until she was finally satised.
She handed it over to Heath, who looked it over with a nod and a smile. “Chelsea, I love it. But heads up–the client this time is a handful. You’ll need to keep on your toes
“Understood. Mr. Carson Chelsea kept things professional with Heath at work.
Heath checked his watch, then smiled. “It’s getting late. How about grabbing dinner? I heard Katri in town–len v bring her along”
“Sounds great. Chelsea agreed, genuinely pleased.
as she muttered to beneli
She called Kate, set a time and place, and headed out with Heath Julia watched them leave, jealousy flashing in her eyes as she about Chelsea corying up to Heath.
They chose a restaurant they used to sit up in college. Kate arrived a bat flustered, grabbed Chelseas coffee, downed it, and hally exhaled “My boss is a damn slave driver! I’m drowning in work–I can barely keep up with my own life?”
Chelsea chuckled but didn’t say anything. Heath motional d for the server to bring another art of dishes and poured Kate a glass of
“Slow down a bit,” he said with his usual calm smile.
Kate grinned at him. “Heath, it’s been ages, and damn, you’re looking even better than before”
Heath’s warm, easygoing smile didn’t miss a beat…
three of them had a relaxed time over dinner, Heath’s natural charm keeping the conversation Bowne
Kate leaned in, thinking. If only Chelsea could end up with someone like Heath. He’s got everything—a good hackground, great personality and they already know each other so wellTM
But then
en the sighed to herself, remembering that Chelsea had ended up married to a guy she barely even knew
After Heath left, Kate couldn’t help nudging Chelsea. “Wouldn’t it have been perfect if you’d married Heath?
Chelsea looked surprised. “Isn’t there already someone he’s into“”
Kate froze for a second, wondering. Wait.. isn’t the person he likes actually you? :
But she decided to let it go. “Aren’t you even a bit curious who Heath’s interested in?”
“Not really” Chelsea shrugged. That’s his business, not mine“
Sering Chelsea’s complete lack of interest, Kare could only laugh and throw up her hands. “Alright, fine, let’s get going”
When Chelsea got back to the apartment, Winston was still MLA. She thought about texting him, al
then shrugged it off
Check–i
Chapter 8
To fer, this was just a marriage on paper, after all–no point in acting like they were actually partners. Gening curious would only complicate things, so the let it go
Later that night, Chelsea reached out to death, hoping to get some background on Cecil and set up a meeting with him the next day
As the hour dragged on and still no sign of Winston, she just went to bed
By morning, with sunlight creeping into her room, she realized he hadn’t come back at all. The whole thing left her slightly unsettled, but she shook it off. She had bigger things to focus on today.
Batfolio in hand.
raded to Watts Group.
At the reception, the woman at the desk barely looked up, her gave holding a faint smirk. Who are you here to see?”
- I’m Chelsea Wise, designer from Amber Jewels. I’m here to discuss a proposal with Mr. Watts Chelsea replied, ignoring the receptionist’s
– “Got an appointment?” the receptionist asked in an uninterested tone.
“No, not yet. How long would the wait be if I scheduled one now! Chelsea asked, keeping her voice calm and polite.
“Alright. Could you put me down?” Chelsea kept her cool, smiling politely
With a half–hearted gesture, the receptionist pointed her toward the lounge. “You can wait over theje”
As Chelsea turned in go, she caught a mide whisper behind her “Amber Jewels must be desperate if they’re sending her. Doesn’t even know her
Meanwhile, upstairs, Winston and Cecil were wrapping up a preliminary deal.
“So, I brand you got hatched?” Cecil asked casually, catching Winston off guard for a second
“How’d you hear about that? Winston asked.
“Someone saw you at the city hall News travels, you know‘ Cecil replied, dearly entertained. “Y Think you’llbeing her arommel one of these daya??
“No need, Winston replied bluntly, shutting down the idea before Crail
With dust, he turned and walked off, leaving Cecil chuckling and shaking hu hrad.
Someone we know?
Hack in the lady, the orpinist finally waved Chelsea over signaling that she could head up. Chelsea grabbed her portfolio and stepped into the
elevation
Asher elevator climbed, she noticed another one descending from t
Zdest floor – the two moving
g like they were in different worlds.
Her elevator doors opened just as the other elevator’s doors closed, and for a split second, her gaze met Winston as he stepped out
Their eyes brushed, only to be cut off when the doors slid shut again.
“Must’ve been my imagination, Winston thought as he strode off
a wound.
Meanwhile, Chelsea was totally lost in the stack of papers in her hands, blissfully y unaware that he’d just strolled right past her without a
finally made it to the 23rd floor and came face–to–face with Cecil at last,
She finally
“Mr. Was hello. I’m Chelsea Wise. There was a slight, barely noticeable edge of nerves in her voice
At the sound of “Chelsea Wise Cecil’s gossip radar instantly kicked in. His eyes glinted with a hint of mischief. “Oh Wise family’s own daughter?
Chelsea gave a slightly awkward nod. “Yes”
Chapter 5
Cecil raised an eyebrow, flipping through her portfolio. Whatever curiosity he’d had turned into genuine interest as he studied her designs. He had to admit. Chelsea’s work naded exactly what he was looking for
Sull, he couldn’t help wondering why this Wise was here at Amber Jewels.
“If I remember right you ined to be the genus behind Margot Wise s designs. And now.” Cecil’s voice held a note of intrigue
“There was a falling–out with the Wise family. So, here I am with Amber Jewels,” Chelsea replied, holding her composure under his keen gaze.
Gathering her nerve, she asked. “So. Mr. Watts, does my d
(design meet your expectations?”
was about to answer, his phone rang. He gave her an apologetic nod, then answered, and she saw his expression shift as he listened
Chelsea noticed the change immediately, her mind racing
Sure enough, when he hung up. Cecil looked at her, half apologetic. “I’m sorry. Ms. Wise, but I won’t be able to use your design”
Apparently. Drogo himself had just called, putting on the pressure and threatening to pull business if Cecil didn’t reject Chelsea’s work
Chelsea had figured as much. She took back her designs with quiet compoure, gave a polite nod, and ten.
Watching her walk away, Cecil narrowed his eyes, a slight smirk forming What the hell is the Wise family game They’ve got someone as talented as Chelsea, and instead of making the most of her, they’re dead set on pushing her down, he thought.
Chehra walked back into Amber Jewels with a frustrated sigh She’d gotten nowhere with Cred, no matter how hard shed med.
The second she stepped in, Julia was on her, pratically strutting. “So, Chelsea, did you manage to work your magie?
ang here, didn’t you?
Chelsea that her a cold, piercing stare. “You told Margot
Everyone knew that Margo and Julia were glued at the hip Chelsea hadnton had a chart wat her weat at was on the phone giving her an earful So no one but Julia had the connections to make that happen.
Julia’s grin only widened, her eyes raised in mock innocence “Well, sering as you dearly struc Jewels now!”
Chelsea crossed her arms, refusing to bu
Warts Group before Drogo
to youll be clearin mat of Amber
to budge. “Nice try t Ind you never set a deadline. As long as I bring in this deal. I’m a
There was no way in hell she was quitting. Cecil might be a nightmare to work with, but she i firid a
Julia let out a mocking laugh, then turned on her heel and walked off.
Just then, Heath stormed out of his office, clapping his hands to get everyone’s attention: “Alright, listen up! Get two major announcements for you”
- going on“”” someone
meone asked, looking a little nervous
Heath didn’t miss a beat. “First off, Amber Jewels has been bought out by the Nova Group. We officially in transition mode, so get ready for some big changes, people”
A wave of whispers broke out across the room.
“The Nova Group” You mean that loaded corporate giant?”
“Yup. And from what I’ve heard, the guy running Nova doesn’t play nice. Tough as nails, zero tolerance for bullshit. Looks like we’re all gonna be walking on eggshells from here on out.”
Chelsea felt a cold pit form in her stomach. She’d barely gotten her feet under her here, and now the whole place was getting flipped upside down.
Will they even keep me around after the takeover! she thought bitterly
But Heath wasn’t finished. He had one more bomb to drop. “Oh, and just a heads–up–next Monday, Mr. Moody himself, the head honcho of Nova, is coming in for an inspection. I expect everyone to be on their best behavior. Don’t make me regret keeping you around”
Chelsea’s heart skipped a beat at the name. The head of Nova has the same last name as Winston! Hell, tell me this isn’t the universe playing some
11:54 AM ₫
