Chapter 113
Isabel frowned. “What’s SW?”
She couldn’t keep up for a moment-it wasn’t her world, after all. Isabel had never really been part of the fashion crowd.
But her companion was a stylist, and when it came to designer jewelry, she knew every name and every collection by heart.
The stylist leaned forward, eyes shining with excitement. “SW stands for Sophia Williams—she’s one of the world’s top jewelry designers. Her work is famous for its unique style and masterful craftsmanship. The rich and famous go crazy for her pieces. She rarely appears in public these days. People say she has two protégés she’s trained personally, but they’re both shrouded in mystery-no one knows who they are.”
“Are you sure this is a Sophia Williams design?” Isabel turned to her friend, unable to hide a note of urgency in her voice.
Her friend nodded, pointing to a particular detail on the sketch. “I’m almost certain.
Look here—this setting technique, and the signature motif. These are classic SW elements. I saw her work up close at a jewelry exhibition in Paris once. I’d recognize it anywhere.”
She sounded utterly convinced.
Effie hesitated, surprised they could recognize something so minute. She’d assumed no one would notice details that small.
Isabel’s pulse quickened. If this really was an SW design, how on earth had Effie gotten her hands on it?
Did Effie have some connection to Sophia Williams?
Impossible. SW was a world-renowned designer. Someone as unknown as Effie couldn’t possibly have met her-let alone gotten a piece from her.
Unless… Effie had copied SW’s work?
Either way, Isabel had made up her mind: there was no way this design came from Effie.
How bold of her, Isabel thought with contempt. To steal a master’s work and pass it off as her own? Absolutely shameless.
Well, this was the perfect chance to expose Effie for who she truly was.
And Lyman would finally see the real Effie-someone who had no business standing by his side.
With that, Isabel’s gaze turned sharp. She fixed Effie with a cold look and asked, her voice edged with accusation, “Miss Bagnold, did you really design this yourself? Or did you… ‘borrow’ it from someone else?”
“If you weren’t up to the task, you could’ve just told me,” Isabel went on, her tone laced with mockery. “Some jobs should be left to the real professionals. You didn’t have to stoop to copying-now you’ve only embarrassed yourself.”
The satisfaction was almost intoxicating. Isabel felt vindicated as if she’d finally gotten her chance to put Effie in her place. And for once, she didn’t even have to lift a finger.
Effie was doing all the work herself.
Effie actually let out a short laugh-she couldn’t believe Isabel had jumped to accusations of plagiarism without any investigation at all.
She kept her expression calm, her eyes clear and steady. “Miss Isabel, I assure you, this design is entirely my own. If you have any doubts, I’d be happy to walk you through the inspiration behind every detail and the process for creating each element.”
Isabel’s frown deepened. She still couldn’t believe an unknown designer could create something so stunning-especially something so reminiscent of SW’s style.
“Miss Bagnold, I have to remind you, plagiarism is a serious offense in our industry. If you really did copy Sophia Williams’s work, you’d do well to admit it now. The consequences could be severe,” Isabel warned, her tone cold.
Effie’s voice remained composed. “Once again, this sketch is my original work. All I need to know is whether you’re satisfied with the design. If not, you’re welcome to find someone else.”
“I’m not satisfied!” Isabel snapped. “There’s no way I’m accepting a copied design. Wearing someone else’s stolen work would be humiliating.”