Queen Elizabeth was momentarily stunned.
“But that’s Ms. Thornton we’re talking about…”
As she said this, realization dawned on her eyes. “Now I understand. She stole your design!”
“It’s not exactly like that…”
Niamh shook her head and gave a weary smile.
She laid everything out for Queen Elizabeth–how her studio had been shut down, how all their assets, including her design sketches, had been seized. The collections manager, however, had handed those sketches to Marina, who simply used them as her own. Legally, there wasn’t much Niamh could do.
The Frostvale crown was no ordinary commission, and Niamh didn’t want Queen Elizabeth blinded by her reputation as a master designer from BYC.
“That’s my situation now. The studio’s gone, and I’m on my own. Your Majesty, if you still want me to make the crown, I promise to give you my very best.”
She spoke with quiet dignity, not asking for pity, and was surprised to see tears shimmering in Queen Elizabeth’s eyes.
“My goodness, I’ve never met anyone as sincere as you… Sincere, and so talented…” Most people she’d met exaggerated their abilities, even spun elaborate lies, just to secure her favor for such a prestigious project. But Niamh was different.
When the two women left the private dining room, Susy hurried over to greet them.
Queen Elizabeth was all smiles a moment ago, but her expression vanished the instant she saw Susy.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Fraser, but I won’t be staying at your hotel tonight.”
“What?” Susy was caught completely off guard.
“And about the undersea tunnel partnership–we’ll need to revisit that. There’s no rush to sign any contracts.”
Those words left Susy reeling. Everything was going so well–the project, the dinner, the hospitality. How had one meal with Niamh changed everything?
“And Ms. Thornton…”
Called out by name, Marina’s hand flew to clutch Jonathan’s arm in panic.
Jonathan had no choice but to accompany her as they approached the Queen.
“I’ll pay the remainder as agreed, but I’m deeply disappointed in your work. Even this crown–turns out you didn’t achieve it on your own. I’m afraid I’ll be placing the
commission with Niamh instead.”
Marina’s eyes filled with tears at the public rebuke, and she tried to protest. “Your Majesty, you can’t just-”
“I can,” Queen Elizabeth said firmly, cutting her off. She turned and smiled warmly at Niamh.
Then she stepped closer. “Do you have any recommendations for where I might stay tonight?”
If it were just the Queen herself, Niamh wouldn’t have minded offering her spare room–if Her Majesty didn’t mind the humble setting. But with the Queen’s entourage of security staff, her place was out of the question.
“Actually, I do know somewhere,” Niamh replied, inspiration striking. She quickly reached for her phone to make arrangements.
While they waited, Jonathan quietly slipped up behind her.
“What did you do to the Queen?” he murmured.
Niamh’s heart skipped a beat as she turned to meet his gaze.
The Queen’s sudden change of heart had been dramatic, but of course Jonathan’s first thought was that Niamh must have bewitched her–never that she’d won her over with honesty and skill.
Niamh gave a wry, self–deprecating smile. “If I really had that kind of magic, do you think I’d have stood by helplessly while my own studio went under?”
A flicker of emotion crossed Jonathan’s face. “So… you’re blaming me?”
09:20
Chapter 355
Did Niamh blame Jonathan?
Of course she did.
