Celia’s temper flared, and she planted her hands on the frilly skirt of her princess dress, huffing angrily. “Stein, who do you think you are, telling me what to do? Get out of my way! If you don’t move, I’ll tell my dad to fire you!”
Stein’s eyelid twitched, but he kept his voice steady. “I’m sorry, Miss Fordham, but these are your father’s orders. Miss Sinclair has a busy schedule coming up and won’t have time to look after you.”
Celia’s cheeks burned red. “And what, you think anyone actually takes care of me at home? Fine! I’ll just hire more maids!” She made to storm past him.
Stein blocked her path, strictly business. “Don’t worry, Mr. Fordham is arranging for your mother to come home soon to look after you.”
He continued, “And besides, Chairman Fordham has hired a private tutor from Portside City for you. She’ll be overseeing your studies and making sure you keep up with your etiquette.”
Celia started up again, her voice shrill. “I don’t want a mom! I don’t want a tutor! Get out of my way, I’m going to find Miss Sinclair myself!”
But the secretary was unmoved.
In a fit of frustration, Celia hurled whatever she could grab at him. “Stein, move it!”
A stern female voice cut through the chaos from the hall. “Such spoiled behavior at your age! Throwing things at others what a disgrace. No sign of the upbringing expected from a young lady of this family.”
Celia forgot her tantrum for a moment and glared at the intruder. “And who are you? This is my house! I’ll do whatever I want–none of your business!”
A middle–aged woman strode in, dressed in a crisp black suit, her hair pulled into a flawless bun. She adjusted her black–rimmed glasses, her expression severe. “Just as I thought–unruly and disrespectful, even in front of guests. Not a hint of
manners.”
“Ms. Brown, thank you for coming,” Stein said with obvious relief, as if he’d spotted a lifeline:
Finally, someone who could handle this little terror! With Miss Sinclair and Mr. Fordham always caught up with her, how could those two ever get any closer? With the eldest son away, the family needed someone to keep an eye on Celia. Lucky the old estate sent Ms. Brown over just in time.
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Celia shrank under the woman’s sharp gaze, feeling the force of her presence. This old bat looks strict enough to eat me alive, she thought, shuddering. Better not pick a fight now–just get through tonight, and tomorrow she’d run off to find Miss Sinclair and never come back to this awful house!
Her mom was the worst. If she hadn’t thrown a fit and stormed out, Celia wouldn’t be stuck in this mess.
Over the weekend, Celestine gave her apartment a thorough cleaning. In her downtime, she managed to sketch out two new design drafts.
Monday morning, she officially returned to Kismet Collective.
Standing in front of the corporate building, she felt a wave of nostalgia. Back when Crystal Lennox first started the company, Celestine was still in college. The five of them had launched the studio out of a cramped rented room, landing one impossible design gig after another.
Times had changed. Years had passed, and that tiny studio had grown into a renowned company, now housed in a gleaming office building. Yet, somehow, the original spirit remained unchanged.
There was a security system at the building entrance. Celestine thought she’d just slip in with a group of employees and avoid bothering Crystal Lennox. But just then, a woman in a cashmere coat swept past, her wavy hair pinned flawlessly at
the back.
The woman unlocked the door with her keycard, then promptly hit the button to close it behind her–making sure Celestine was left outside.
Celestine glanced at her, feeling a flicker of recognition.
Carmen tossed her chin with haughty disdain, instantly recognizing Celestine as the woman who’d watched her embarrassing scene outside the apartment building on Saturday. She must’ve loved seeing me make a fool of myself, Carmen thought with
a sneer.
She’d deliberately nudged Celestine toward that pile of bricks–what a shame that Conrad couldn’t even hit the target. If only that pretty face had been ruined, it would’ve served her right.
Malice flashed in Carmen’s eyes for a brief moment.
After the morning meeting, Crystal Lennox addressed the team. “I have two
announcements. First, our chief designer, Smile, is coming back. I’ll introduce her
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Chapter 60
to.everyone shortly.”
The office erupted in chatter.
“No way! The legendary Smile? She’s real and not just a rumor from the boss?”
“I heard she left the industry because she got married and had a kid. Such a loss! When I was stuck on my senior project, I survived on her work alone!”
“Is she gorgeous or what? Did anyone see her downstairs?”
Carmen listened to the buzz with a bored expression, idly picking at her nails, thoroughly unimpressed.
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