Chapter 97
Natalie already had plenty of titles and honors, all adding to the flevless reputation that allowed her to handle any situation with case
Now, she had fixed her sights on the opening in the local floral design exhibition, determined to be the first to fill it. To succeed, she needed a deeper understanding of the industry.
And ti she could earn the title of protégé to the nation’s most rendened oral artist, her future in the field would look all the brighter
She held her breath, waiting for Aspen’s reply. With Gregory’s intence be offending him by refusing.
The rest of the room, too, watched with open interest
her, there was little chance Aspen would risk
Rumor had it, Aspen’s standards for taking on a protégé were so impossibly high that hardly anyone ever made the cut. In all these years, she’d only had one. But that protégé never appeared in public, which left people wondering if Aspen had quietly let them p
So, if Natalie managed to pull this off, there was a good chance she could end up as Aspen’s one and only protégé
But Aspen didn’t answer right away.
She met Natalie’s pleading gaze and gave a small smile. “I’m sure Ms. Whitman and everyone here know I already have a protégé, right?”
Everyone looked surprised as it seemed this was the first time Aspen had ever mentioned her protégé.
“My protégé is truly talented. Her work has a rare kind of brilliance. She even earned major recognition in her very first competition”
Aspen spoke with care, her voice carrying quiet pride. “Nearly every expert in the field–myself included–belleves she has the potential to go far in floral design, maybe even surpass me one day But”
Her tone shifted all
ed all of a sudden, the admiration slipping away. The room held its breath, waiting for what would come next.
Natalie felt a spark of curiosity for the first time, wondering what had become of Aspen’s protégé. Gregory turned to Aspen, too, though his expression revealed nothing more than polite interest
Aspen paused, then continued, “She ended up marrying the love other life, had a child, and left floral design behind entirely.”
There was a wistful note in her voice.
“I see…” The others murmured sympathetically, their voices tinged with disappointment.
To be recognized by someone like Aspen–a legend in floral design–took extraordinary talent. And yet, her protégé had given it all up just for marriage!
“What a terrible waste.”
“Seriously, who throws away an opportunity like that?”
At their remarks, Anathea paused, then quietly resumed stirring her soup and took a deliberate sip
“Not interested in the story?” Theo asked.
While everyone else was practically leaning in to catch every word, Anathea seemed completely unfazed, as if it had nothing to do with her. She gave no reply.
“So, what happened to the protégé after that?” Natalie asked.
“Later on I heard things didn’t go well for her. Actually, they went pretty badly,” Aspen said, her gaze turning icy. “Her family
Chapter 67
+25 BONUS
Jost everything practically overnight, and on top of that, her husband started seeing someone else. Pretty grim, if you ask me.” “Anathea’s hand slipped, and her spoon clattered sharply against the bowl. But the sound went unnoticed, with everyone still frivered by Aspen’s story.
“What? That’s hortible!”
“That’s just awfull”
The group erupted, voices brimming with outrage for the protégé, hick with anger at the cheating husband.
“Typical, Men in are nothing but trash!”
“How does a pay like that even have the nerve to get married?”
“Exactly! What a complete bastand!”
“Ms. Langley, have you seen your protégé and her husband lately? Do you know how they’re holding up?” Natalie jumped in, more eager to engage Aspen in conversation than to hear the rest of the story,
