Chapter 8
To Chelsea, Winston was like a walking iceberg–cold, impenetrable, and not remotely worth the effort of trying to crack.
She’d thought about asking him to celebrate her new job, but the words got stuck in her throat, and she swallowed them down.
Winston slipped on his slippers, barely managing a “Hmm?” without even noticing that she’d stopped mid–sentence.
“It’s nothing, just a job at a jewelry company.” His complete lack of interest snuffed out whatever excitement she’d had. Gathering her files, Chelsea quietly headed to her room.
Winston frowned, almost as if he wondered if maybe, just maybe, she was a bit ticked off.
The next morning, Chelsea was up early, grabbed a quick bite, and dashed out without a word to Winston.
He ate breakfast alone, shrugged, and headed out a bit later himself.
At Amber Jewels, Chelsea threw herself into work, fine–tuning her design until she was finally satisfied.
She handed it over to Heath, who looked it over with a nod and a smile. “Chelsea, I love it. But heads up–the client this time. is a handful. You’ll need to keep on your toes.”
“Understood, Mr. Carson.” Chelsea kept things professional with Heath at work.
Heath checked his watch, then smiled. “It’s getting late. How about grabbing dinner? I heard Kate’s in town–let’s bring her along.”
“Sounds great,” Chelsea agreed, genuinely pleased.
She called Kate, set a time and place, and headed out with Heath. Julia watched them leave, jealousy flashing in her eyes as she muttered to herself about Chelsea cozying up to Heath.
They chose a restaurant they used to hit up in college. Kate arrived a bit flustered, grabbed Chelsea’s coffee, downed it, and finally exhaled. “My boss is a damn slave driver! I’m drowning in work–I can barely keep up with my own life!”
Chelsea chuckled but didn’t say anything. Heath motioned for the server to bring another set of dishes and poured Kate a glass of warm water,
“Slow down a bit,” he said with his usual calm smile.
Kate grinned at him. “Heath, it’s been ages, and damn, you’re looking even better than before.”
Heath’s warm, easygoing smile didn’t miss a beat.
The three of them had a relaxed time over dinner, Heath’s natural charm keeping the conversation flowing.
Kate leaned in, thinking. If only Chelsea could end up with someone like Heath. He’s got everything–a good background. great personality, and they already know each other so well
But then she sighed to herself, remembering that Chelsea had ended up married to a guy she barely even knew.
After Heath left, Kate couldn’t help nudging Chelsea. “Wouldn’t it have been perfect if you’d married Heath?”
1/4
5:16 pm
Chapter 8
Chelsea looked surprised. “Isn’t there already someone he’s into?”
Kate froze for a second, wondering, ‘Wait… isn’t the person he likes actually you?‘
But she decided to let it go. “Aren’t you even a bit curious who Heath’s interested in?”
“Not really.” Chelsea shrugged. “That’s his business, not mine.”
Seeing Chelsea’s complete lack of interest, Kate could only laugh and throw up her hands. “Alright, fine, let’s get going.”
When Chelsea got back to the apartment, Winston was still MIA. She thought about texting him, then shrugged it off.
11
+23
To her, this was just a marriage on paper, after all–no point in acting like they were actually partners. Getting curious would only complicate things, so she let it go.
Later that night, Chelsea reached out to Heath, hoping to get some background on Cecil and set up a meeting with him the next day.
As the hours dragged on and still no sign of Winston, she just went to bed.
By morning, with sunlight creeping into her room, she realized he hadn’t come back at all. The whole thing left her slightly unsettled, but she shook it off. She had bigger things to focus on today.
Portfolio in hand, she headed to Watts Group.
At the reception, the woman at the desk barely looked up, her gaze holding a faint smirk. “Who are you here to see?”
“Hi, I’m Chelsea Wise, designer from Amber Jewels. I’m here to discuss a proposal with Mr. Watts,” Chelsea replied, ignoring the receptionist’s attitude.
“Got an appointment?” the receptionist asked in an uninterested tone.
“No, not yet. How long would the wait be if I scheduled one now?” Chelsea asked, keeping her voice calm and polite.
“Two hours.”
“Alright. Could you put me down?” Chelsea kept her cool, smiling politely.
With a half–hearted gesture, the receptionist pointed her toward the lounge. “You can wait over there.”
As Chelsea turned to go, she caught a snide whisper behind her. “Amber Jewels must be desperate if they’re sending her. Doesn’t even know her place.”
Meanwhile, upstairs, Winston and Cecil were wrapping up a preliminary deal.
“So, I heard you got hitched?” Cecil asked casually, catching Winston off guard for a second.
“How’d you hear about that?” Winston asked.
“Someone saw you at the city hall. News travels, you know,” Cecil replied, clearly entertained. “So, who’s the mystery woman? Someone we know? Think you’ll bring her around one of these days?”
“No need,” Winston replied bluntly, shutting down the idea before Cecil could get any further.
With that, he turned and walked off, leaving Cecil chuckling and shaking his head.
2/4
5:16 pm
Chapter 8
Back in the lobby, the receptionist finally waved Chelsea over, signaling that she could head up. Chelsea grabbed her portfolio and stepped into the elevator.
As her elevator climbed, she noticed another one descending from the 23rd floor–the two moving like they were in different worlds.
Ding-
Her elevator doors opened just as the other elevator’s doors closed, and for a split second, her gaze met Winston’s as he stepped out.
Their eyes brushed, only to be cut off when the doors slid shut again.
‘Must’ve been my imagination,‘ Winston thought as he strode off.
Meanwhile, Chelsea was totally lost in the stack of papers in her hands, blissfully unaware that he’d just strolled right past her without a sound.
She finally made it to the 23rd floor and came face–to–face with Cecil at last.
“Mr. Watts, hello. I’m Chelsea Wise.” There was a slight, barely noticeable edge of nerves in her voice.
At the sound of “Chelsea Wise,” Cecil’s gossip radar instantly kicked in. His eyes glinted with a hint of mischief. “Oh? Wise family’s own daughter?”
Chelsea gave a slightly awkward nod. “Yes.”
Cecil raised an eyebrow, flipping through her portfolio. Whatever curiosity he’d had turned into genuine interest as he studied her designs. He had to admit, Chelsea’s work nailed exactly what he was looking for.
Still, he couldn’t help wondering why this Wise was here at Amber Jewels.
“If I remember right, you used to be the genius behind Margot Wise’s designs. And now…?” Cecil’s voice held a note of intrigue.
+23
“There was… a falling–out with the Wise family. So, here I am with Amber Jewels,” Chelsea replied, holding her composure under his keen gaze.
Gathering her nerve, she asked, “So, Mr. Watts, does my design meet your expectations?”
Just as Cecil was about to answer, his phone rang. He gave her an apologetic nod, then answered, and she saw his expression
shift as he listened.
Chelsea noticed the change immediately, her mind racing.
Sure enough, when he hung up, Cecil looked at her, half–apologetic. “I’m sorry, Ms. Wise, but I won’t be able to use your design.”
Apparently, Drogo himself had just called, putting on the pressure and threatening to pull business if Cecil didn’t reject Chelsea’s work.
Chelsea had figured as much. She took back her designs with quiet composure, gave a polite nod, and left.
Watching her walk away, Cecil narrowed his eyes, a slight smirk forming. ‘What the hell is the Wise family’s game? They’ve got someone as talented as Chelsea, and instead of making the most of her, they’re dead set on pushing her down, he thought.
3/4
3:18 pm G
Chapter 8
Chelsea walked back into Arber jewels with a frustrated sigh. She’d gotten nowhere with Cecil, no matter how hard sheið tried
The second she stepped in, Julia was on her, practically strutting “So, Chelwa, dad you manage to work your magic?”
Chelsea shot her a cold, piercing stare. “You told Margot I was working herre, didn’t you?“
Everyone knew that Margot and Julia were ghard at the hips Chara hadist even had a chance to warm her wat at the Wats Group before Drogo was on the phone giving her an earful, dan pas maner best pallia had the connections to make that happen,
Julia’s grin only widened, her eyebrows raised in market arving a pro linely wruck out, I guess you’ll be
clearing out of Amber Jewch now?
Chelsea crossed her arms, refusing to badge to try, but you are on a deadline. Xa long bring in the diral, l’res staying”
There was no way in hell she was painting, Cevill might be a ghemes to work with, but third find a way as crack hires
Julia let out a mocking laugh, then turtured com beer bred and walked off
Just then, Heath stormed out of his office, capping his burda so get awanyone’s attention “right Bates up Get two major announcements for you”
“What’s going on?” someone asked, looking a bede surroun
Heath didn’t miss a beat. Tint off Arrber Jewels Just barem brought on by the Nuoma Group. We’re officially is transitives mode, so get ready for some bag changes, pinople *
A wave of whispers broke out across the room
“The Nova Group? You mean that loaded corporate giant?”
“Yup. And from what I’ve heard, the guy running Nova doesn’t play nice. Tough an mails, sro tolerance for bullshit. Looks like we’re all gonna be walking on eggshells from here on out
Chelsea felt a cold pit form in her stomach. She’d barely gotten her feet under her here, and now the whole place was getting flipped upside down.
Will they even keep me around after the takeover?” she thought bitterly.
But Heath wasn’t finished. He had one more bomb to drop. “Oh, and just a heads–up–next Monday, Mr. Moody himself, the head honcho of Nova, is coming in for an inspection. I expect everyone to be on their best behavior. Don’t make me regret keeping you around.”
