Chapter 393
The entire hall fell silent for a full three seconds. Then, like a fuse had been lit, the place erupted in a frenzy of shock and disbelief.
Karin glanced at Peter, who looked as calm as ever, and suddenly understood.
“Oh, so you knew Niamh was BYC all along?”
Peter just shrugged and smiled.
Of course he knew.
He was the one who’d first discovered Niamh’s talent back in college.
Elmer was another rare exception–he didn’t seem the least bit surprised either.
He’d figured it out on his own.
The first time he saw the “Piano” collection, he guessed the designer had to be Niamh. Who else could have blended the lines of a grand piano and a set of wheels, and turned the theme of brokenness into something so striking? Niamh was the only one who came to mind.
That’s why, when he’d returned with a gift for her, he’d chosen the brand–new Grand Piano Collection music box–he knew Niamh had designed it.
Niamh had never planned to reveal her identity as BYC during this restoration competition. But with Marina and Susy pushing her into a corner, she decided to go
with the flow.
She’d kept her identity secret, mostly because of Elmer.
The inspiration for her “Piano” series had come from Elmer’s accident–when he’d crashed on the way to her piano competition and ended up in a coma. The pain and guilt had been too much. She couldn’t face the reality of Elmer lying unresponsive in a hospital bed, nor could she bear to touch the piano she once loved.
So, she poured her grief and frustration into design.
She spent years developing her signature hidden seamless inlay technique–just to bring her vision to life.
She never expected her work and craft to become such an overnight sensation, winning acclaim from both the industry and the public.
But the more popular her designs became, the less she wanted to claim BYC’s
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fame. It felt wrong–profiting from Inspiration born from Elmer’s suffering, while fe lay lost somewhere between life and death.
But now, that hesitation was gone.
Because Elmer had woken up. He was here, by her side.
Niamh turned instinctively, locking eyes with Elmer.
She knew, without words, that he understood.
The way she looked at Elmer was like the first rays of morning sunlight shimmering over a lake–gentle, radiant, full of hope.
Not far away, Jonathan watched the scene in silence.
His face looked cold as ice, but his eyes burned with intensity.
Niamh was BYC–the legendary designer with a name that dominated the world of haute couture jewelry.
Thinking back, it made sense. The way she’d acted since asking him for a divorce, the quiet confidence–it all fit. But until the patent documents were revealed, Jonathan had never once considered the possibility.
Why not?
Because for years, he’d only ever seen Niamh as the Thomas family’s dutiful housewife.
Nothing more.
Jonathan’s right hand clenched into a fist.
So… just how little did he really know about Niamh?
Three years of marriage, and what did he actually know about her?
Meanwhile, Marina, Susy, and the man Susy had brought along could only stare in utter disbelief.
Especially Marina.
“No… no way… this can’t be… Niamh is BYC? How could Niamh possibly we BYC?!”
She muttered under her breath, face ashen, as if she’d just seen a ghost.
Niamh stepped toward her.
With every step Niamh took, Marina instinctively retreated.
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“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not some elderly master, and I’ve never taken you as a protégé. You can call me ‘mentor‘ all you like, but frankly, you’re not even close to worthy.”
Marina’s face flushed, then went deathly pale.
Niamh turned and glanced at Susy.
“And for the record, that gentleman isn’t my lawyer. So, Ms. Fraser, you and Marina have just landed yourselves in hot water–fraud, defamation, infringement, unfair competition. My lawyers will be in touch.”
Susy never imagined that by standing up for Marina, she’d end up in such a mess herself.
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