Chapter 114
Effie’s expression grew instantly serious. “Miss Isabel, you may not like my work, but please don’t insult my integrity. I did not plagiarize.”
With that, she reached into her bag and pulled out a folder, handing it to Isabel. “Here are my original sketches and notes from the design process. Feel free to look them over. And if that’s not enough, I can contact the SW Studio-they can vouch for me.”
Isabel scoffed. “Miss Bagnold, what’s that supposed to mean? Are you trying to say you have some connection to SW?”
Unbelievable. The nerve.
But Effie nodded calmly, her voice steady. “Yes. SW mentored me. When I was studying in Paris, I was fortunate enough to learn jewelry design under her guidance. So, of course I’m able to use the design elements you mentioned.”
For a moment, Isabel was stunned. She hadn’t expected Effie to have such an impressive background.
No wonder her designs were exceptional-she’d been taught by one of the top masters in the field. Effie was SW’s protégé?
A flurry of emotions crossed Isabel’s face. How could this be possible? Their worlds should never have overlapped.
But sometimes fate works in mysterious ways.
Back when Effie was a top student, she earned a chance to study abroad. One day, she helped an elderly woman in need-never guessing that the woman was Sophia Williams, the internationally renowned jewelry designer.
They hit it off right away. When SW learned Effie was studying jewelry design, she offered to mentor her. She quickly saw that Effie had both talent and intuition.
At the time, Effie didn’t know SW’s real identity-SW was famously reserved and rarely appeared in magazines. Effie simply treated her with kindness, never imagining who she really was.
After observing Effie for a while, SW realized not only her creative potential but also her genuine character. Eventually, she took Effie on as her apprentice.
When Effie’s studies in Paris ended, she returned home-her grandmother was waiting for her back in the States. SW, meanwhile, set off to travel the world, always searching for new inspiration.
The two stayed in touch, exchanging ideas and discussing design trends whenever they could.
Effie had once hoped to invite SW to her wedding, but things changed when the groom turned out not to be who she thought.
Still, Effie kept all this to herself. She never told anyone she was SW’s protégé. She didn’t want unnecessary attention or complications. More than anything, she wanted her work to speak for itself-unclouded by her mentor’s legendary reputation.
She wanted clients to love her designs, not just the name behind them.
So she kept her background quiet. She never expected to encounter someone today who was such a superfan of her mentor that they could spot even the smallest details.
Isabel’s mind was spinning. She stared at Effie, searching her calm, steady gaze for any sign of a lie. But Effie looked back with quiet confidence, unwavering.
That certainty made it impossible for Isabel not to believe her.
“You-you’re really SW’s apprentice?” Isabel’s voice was shaky, as if she couldn’t quite believe it.
Effie nodded, her tone quiet but firm. “Yes, Miss Isabel. If you’d like, I can call my mentor right now. She’s traveling in Switzerland at the moment, but I’m sure she’d be willing to confirm it for you herself.”
Isabel was at a loss for words, a storm of emotions churning inside her.
She’d thought she could easily find fault with Effie’s work, use it as a chance to put her in her place. Instead, the tables had turned—and she was left humiliated.
SW’s name carried enormous weight in the world of jewelry design. Her student would never be just ordinary.
Effie was more than qualified to design for her.
Isabel felt a surge of frustration, a bitter taste she couldn’t swallow.
Damn it!