Chapter 7: Chapter 7

527 words

<html><head></head><body>"This..." Penelope Macmillan's hands trembled. The design sketch slipped from her fingers, fluttering lightly to the floor. The crowd quickly gathered around. On the paper was a minimalist sapphire necklace design, its intricate hollowed-out craftsmanship perfectly accentuating the gemstone's natural brilliance. Even Evelyn Roland, who knew nothing about jewelry, could see this design far surpassed Isabella Langley's work. Isabella pushed to the front, her pupils contracting sharply. How was this possible? She stared at the sketch, her nails digging deep into her palms. "My little sister draws so well," she forced a sweet, syrupy smile. "But... doesn't this look familiar?" Her pointed gaze landed on Evelyn. "Plagiarism is an unforgivable sin in our industry." The air turned icy. "Impossible!" Penelope suddenly shouted, her voice shaking with emotion. She picked up the sketch with trembling hands, pointing at the small "C" mark in the bottom corner. "This is..."  Her head snapped up, eyes red-rimmed. With a thud, the formidable jewelry tycoon dropped to her knees before Evelyn. "My savior! I've finally found you!" Gasps filled the room. Evelyn cursed inwardly. Her habitual signature had given her away. "Blossoming Prosperity..." Penelope choked out the cringe-worthy online alias. Evelyn's eye twitched. A username she'd casually chosen in middle school now sounded unbearably embarrassing. "Get up," she muttered through gritted teeth. But Penelope remained kneeling, tearfully recounting how a single design sketch had saved her career years ago.  "So..." Alexander Roland stared at his sister in shock. "You designed the Heart of Ruiya?" Penelope nodded fervently. Isabella stood in the corner, her nails nearly drawing blood. Why? After twenty years of meticulous effort, how could this bastard child outshine her? "Did you study design?" Alexander asked. Evelyn shook her head. Study? Her five consecutive global design championship titles spoke for themselves. Alexander's eyes lit up. "Join KL Design Group!" Evelyn almost refused—until she imagined enduring Isabella's fake smiles every day. "Fine."  Penelope looked ready to faint with joy, suddenly twenty years younger. Sophia Roland warned her eldest son: "Take good care of your sister, or I'll dismantle your company!" Alexander nodded rapidly. Evelyn lowered her gaze. This feeling of being protected... it was unfamiliar. Sophia led her to a standalone two-story villa. "Do you like it? We can redecorate tomorrow if not." "It's perfect," Evelyn said softly. That word—"Mom"—stuck in her throat, unspoken. Isabella lurked in the shadows, venom swirling in her eyes. This house she'd begged for had been waiting for its true owner all along.  "Come find me if you get scared, little sister," she cooed. Sophia beamed, clasping their hands. "You two must get along." "Goodnight." Evelyn shut the door directly in their faces. Outside, Isabella sniffled. "Mother, does Evelyn hate me?" "She just needs time to adjust," Sophia reassured. Isabella clenched her fists. Would Sebastian Valdemar's engagement be stolen from her too? The shower stopped running. Evelyn towel-dried her hair, noticing 200+ missed calls from Dylan Orlando on her private phone. "What?" she answered. "You actually went back to that backwater town?" Dylan screeched. "You make millions per commission! Why would—" "My father is Edward Roland." Dead silence. "Ed... Edward Roland?!" Dylan's voice skyrocketed. "THE Edward Roland?!"  </body></html>