Chapter 482

"Stella, are you still thinking about that woman from the news?" Wendy handed her a cup of hot tea, her fingers lightly tracing the rim. "Gossip like that is fleeting. I can't even remember what she looked like."

Penny stomped her foot in frustration. "Stella, that child has nothing to do with Mr. Roland! That woman just saw how wealthy the Roland Group is and wanted to extort money!"

Stella's fingers paused, sending ripples through the tea. "It's all in the past."

Wendy noticed the shift in her expression and quickly changed the subject. "Last month, one of my models gave up an international runway show for her childhood sweetheart. I was so angry I couldn't eat for three days." She chuckled. "But yesterday, I saw on her social media that they opened a cozy little inn in the countryside. They look happier than anyone."

"From school uniforms to wedding dresses!" Penny clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "That's the kind of love I dream about!"

Watching the falling leaves outside the window, Wendy murmured, "Back in school, I always wore my hair in a ponytail and was too shy to even accept love letters from boys in the next class. How silly that seems now."

Stella's lashes trembled, casting shadows under her eyes. "Sometimes meeting too soon isn't necessarily a good thing."

Penny nearly jumped out of her seat. "Stella! Love doesn't have a timeline! Giving up for that reason would be such a waste!"

"Just a passing thought." Stella set down her cup and spread out the papers on the table. "Even though the model is on leave, the designs can't wait. Wendy, would you prefer a unified jewelry style or custom pieces tailored to each outfit?"

Wendy's eyes lit up. "Custom designs would be amazing! But is there enough time?" She ran her fingers over the hair clip Stella had just made. "The craftsmanship is even finer than I expected."

"No problem." Stella pulled out her phone. "I'll take some close-ups of the outfits first. Silver base with agate and crystal accents—something they can wear daily after the show."

Penny's fingers flew across her tablet as she revised the contract. Just as the printer hummed to life, Stella's phone vibrated.

The name "Adrian Roland" burned into her vision like a brand.

[Weather Alert: Severe thunderstorm warning. Take shelter immediately...]

Stella shot to her feet. Outside, dark clouds loomed over the rooftops.

"A storm is coming." She grabbed her bag as the damp wind tousled her hair. "Wendy, let's discuss the details another day."

Penny scrambled to gather the design sketches as the first raindrop hit the window.