A pack of snobs, always ready to fawn over whoever’s in the spotlight.
“Seriously? All this fuss over a stay–at–home mom who gave up her career for her family?” Carmen’s voice was laced with acid.
Just then, Crystal Lennox walked in with Celestine–and caught every word.
Celestine lifted her gaze to meet Carmen’s, instantly recognizing her.
Crystal’s brow twitched. “Carmen, do you have an issue with Celestine joining the team?”
“I wouldn’t call it an issue–more of a suggestion.” Carmen stood, her tone clipped as she faced Celestine directly. “Chief Designer, is it? From what I hear, you’ve been out of the design world for years. Trends change by the minute in this industry.”
She folded her arms, her words sharp and deliberate. “Forgive me, but I’m concerned about Kismet Collective’s future. Do you have anything to show for yourself any recent work? I mean, anything from the last six years?”
Celestine could feel the hostility pulsing beneath Carmen’s words.
Once upon a time, she had been the rising star of the design world, a prodigy everyone watched. She’d thought she would spend her whole life chasing her passion–until she married Chester.
To him, everything she did was a waste of time. Every sketch, every sleepless night–he’d say she should learn how to be a proper Mrs. Fordham instead, how to serve her in–laws, how to be the perfect wife.
Once their child arrived, Chester insisted she quit her studio job altogether and focus on being a “good mom.”
Celestine poured herself into motherhood, her own dreams fading into the background.
Crystal Lennox, though, never gave up on her. She’d even fought to get Celestine a coveted spot at an international design seminar.
Celestine still remembered the hope she’d felt, only for it to be dashed to pieces by Chester’s angry tirade.
He simply couldn’t understand her ambitions–he didn’t want to.
That was the first time they’d had a real, vicious fight.
1/3
Chapter 61
Their baby had wailed in the crib as they argued, the sound cutting through her resolve. In the end, Celestine caved.
She let go of the opportunity–and her job at Kismet Collective.
That numbing heartbreak still haunted her, raw and unforgettable.
But her past wasn’t an excuse for anyone to trample on her.
Celestine smiled, calm and unshaken. “Excuse me–design is about channeling your creativity into what you make. Truly great work doesn’t follow trends; it sets them. If you’re so worried about keeping up, maybe you should ask yourself why you’re not leading the pack. Miss Carmen, is this about your own lack of confidence? Or do you just prefer to ride on someone else’s coattails?”
The room went dead silent.
Across the table, several colleagues looked thrilled at the showdown.
Carmen’s composure finally cracked; she snapped, “Design isn’t about talk–it’s about results! If you’re so talented, where’s your new work? Funny, I haven’t seen your name on the style rankings. Kismet Collective isn’t a charity–we’re here for results, not nostalgia. Let’s see what you’ve got!”
“Actually-” Crystal Lennox’s voice cut through as she glanced at a new email on her phone. “The three spring/summer pieces from the Smile collection last month? Seabay’s CEO just requested all of them for next season’s flagship line.”
She shot a meaningful look at Celestine.
Those three pieces were from the “Lucid Revival” collection Celestine had submitted, almost as an afterthought, months ago.
Crystal had loved them so much she’d included them in the Seabay pitch.
Everyone in the room sucked in a breath.
Seabay was a legendary luxury brand, a subsidiary of the Prescott Group–the partner Kismet Collective had been pursuing for years.
very
To have their CEO personally request three pieces for a lead line? That w
huge.
No wonder Celestine was the new chief designer.
Carmen couldn’t hide her disbelief. “That’s impossible!”
A housewife? Seriously?
Seabay had been her dream for years. She’d submitted designs season after
2/3
season, chased every opportunity, and never once landed a main feature.
Now, this new chief designer had done it in one go?
Celestine herself was a little stunned. She’d thrown those sketches together on a whim, never expecting them to be chosen by Seabay.
During her Smile alias days, she’d sent in a few designs when Kismet Collective first started working with Seabay. Maybe the CEO was feeling nostalgic.
Sometimes, luck just worked in your favor
Celestine tilted her head, her eyes sly and sparkling. “Let the work speak for itself.”
Chapter 62
