Chapter 87
According to the file, Effie was just an ordinary woman in the workforce-nothing remarkable about her background, and her abilities at work were decent but not outstanding. Yet here she was, catching Isabel’s attention in a way that stung with a mix of disbelief and disdain.
“Effie…” Isabel murmured the name under her breath, her tone colored with contempt and puzzlement.
So, she’s working as a designer at The Etheridge Group now?
She must’ve pulled some strings to get in, right? How else could this be such a coincidence?
And apparently, she’d managed to charm Lyman, too.
Worse yet, rumor had it they were even living together.
Isabel had thought she must have misread the information. But she checked again—no mistake. The evidence was right there in her hands.
Her brow furrowed tightly, fingers unconsciously clenching the file as a wave of jealousy and resentment washed over her. It felt like a fire igniting in her chest.
“Effie… What makes you think you deserve all this?” Isabel whispered, her voice icy and low.
Carole, watching from the side, quickly tried to calm her. “Isabel, don’t let this get to you. We need to think carefully and make a plan.”
Isabel’s voice was cool and measured. “Carole, I have an awards gala at the beginning of next month, don’t I?”
“That’s right, why?” Carole asked, confused by the sudden change of subject.
Isabel’s expression turned calculating. “I haven’t picked any jewelry yet. Why not commission Effie to design something for me?”
Effie’s supposed to be a jewelry designer, isn’t she? Let’s see if she’s really got any talent to show.
Carole frowned, hesitant. “But it’s such a prestigious event. Usually, you’d have something made by a top designer-Effie’s barely known. Wouldn’t that look… odd?”
Isabel gave a cold little laugh, mischief glinting in her eyes. “That’s exactly the point, Carole. I have my reasons. If her design falls flat, she’ll be the one embarrassed, and everyone will see how she really got into The Etheridge Group. Let’s see her explain that away.”
Carole paused, then caught on to Isabel’s plan. She nodded, a hint of admiration in her smile. “Brilliant, Isabel. This is a good way to test what Effie’s really made of.”
A sly smile played at the corner of Isabel’s mouth as she lifted her chin,
confidence returning to her eyes. “Exactly. I want to know what’s so special about Effie that Lyman is so taken with her.”
Without further delay, Carole picked up her phone and dialed The Etheridge Group. “Hello, is this the design department? We’d like to commission a custom jewelry set from Designer Bagnold. Could you help us arrange it?”
On the other end, the receptionist responded politely, “Certainly. I’ll pass along your request to Designer Bagnold and have someone get back to you soon.”
After hanging up, Carole looked back at Isabel. “It’s done. Now we just have to wait and see how Effie reacts.”
Isabel nodded, a chill flickering in her gaze. “Effie… don’t let me down.”
***
Design Department
Effie was in the middle of a chaotic workday when the department head approached her unexpectedly.
“Designer Bagnold, there’s a new client who’s specifically requested you to design a jewelry set.”
Effie paused, a little stunned. She’d only just started at the company; how could a client already be asking for her by name? Was it an old contact from before? Nelly, sitting nearby, overheard the conversation and frowned in disbelief. “Director, did I hear that right? The client actually asked for Designer Bagnold?” “Yes, that’s correct,” the director replied with a good-natured smile. “I’ll have my assistant send you the client brief shortly, Designer Bagnold.”
“Thank you,” Effie replied, nodding.
Moments later, the assistant delivered the file, and the meeting with the client was already scheduled. Everything seemed to be going smoothly.
Effie returned to her desk and opened her laptop, ready to review the client’s information—when suddenly, she was interrupted by an urgent call to attend a meeting.