“We don’t have much money between us. Each of us can only put up around twenty thousand. With what you have, it should be enough to get a small studio off the
ground…”
“We could start with silver jewelry, take on a few small commissions at first. You’ve got experience running a studio, and this time you’ll have both of us by your side. I really think the three of us could make this work.”
Niamh listened quietly as Genevieve and Melanie laid out their plans, her expression unreadable.
Genevieve and Melanie exchanged a glance.
“Just think it over, okay? We’re serious about this.”
“We really admire you, Niamh. We want to have our own studio someday, just like you.”
“If
you don’t mind partnering up with us, once you finish the Queen’s crown, let’s start a company together… As for FY, anyone who wants to stay can have it–I can’t take another day here!”
“Me neither! Niamh, you’re basically our only hope for the future,” Melanie added with a wry laugh.
By the time they finished, both Genevieve and Melanie had tears in their eyes.
Niamh didn’t give them a definite answer that night. But after that heartfelt conversation, she stopped refusing the coffee and pastries Genevieve and Melanie brought her each morning.
“If you really want to open a studio with me, just know I’ll be the boss,” she said one afternoon in the workshop. “That means you’ll both start as assistants, so you’d better get used to fetching me coffee and running errands.”
“Of course! We’re more than happy to,” Genevieve said with a cheerful nod, Melanie chiming in as if on cue.
Outwardly, they smiled and played along, but inside, both were seething.
Within just a week, the two of them had become Niamh’s little shadows–more like personal assistants, or even servants.
“Niamh: This coffee’s too sweet. Make another one.”
1/2
09:21
Chapter 359
Genevieve: “But you asked for sugar…”
Niamh: “I wanted sugar in an Americano, not a latte. Brew it again.”
Genevieve:
”
Niamh: “For lunch I want beef curry from Maple & Vine.”
Melanie: “That place is really far from the office. They don’t even deliver out here.”
Niamh: “Then drive over and get it. An hour and a half round trip, you’ll be back just as lunch break ends. You won’t even be late.”
Melanie:
” ”
Niamh didn’t own a car, but ever since Genevieve and Melanie pledged their loyalty, she had a personal chauffeur every day–Genevieve picked her up in the morning, Melanie dropped her home at night.
The rest of the staff at FY soon noticed how close the three had become.
“Niamh, could you come here for a moment?”
Peter called her into his office one day during lunch.
“How’s the crown coming along?”
“It’s going well,” she replied.
“You and Genevieve and Melanie seem pretty tight lately. I just wanted to check in–I guess I’m a little concerned,” Peter said, choosing his words carefully, unsure if he even had the right to question her friendships.
“Don’t worry, Peter. Genevieve and Melanie are my friends now,” Niamh replied, flashing a sly, foxy grin.
At last, the crown Niamh designed for Queen Elizabeth was finished.
Genevieve and Melanie had begged for a sneak peek, but Niamh refused every time. ‘Ballroom, That evening, Queen Elizabeth would be attending a banquet at the R joined by Aldenville’s top officials and business leaders. Her old crown was far too worn to wear anymore, and Niamh had promised to deliver the new one before the
event.
“Niamh, you don’t have a car. Why don’t you ride with me to the Royal Ballroom?” “Sounds good!” Niamh agreed without hesitation.
