Chapter 12

"Of course, I don't mind," Bethany said as she handed over the design sketches. "Your support last time helped me muster the courage to present them to Ms. Katz. And I'm eager to hear your feedback this time," Bethany continued with a faint smile. Megan flipped through the designs, a glint of satisfaction shining in her eyes. But soon, jealousy took over. Bethany's designs were always bold and creative, captivating everyone who saw them. Megan cursed at Bethany silently. Bethany had been a painting prodigy since childhood. She had refused to give up, despite Serene's attempts to discourage her. Megan despised her for it. Although Megan had talent and worked hard, it all fell short in the presence of a true genius. "So, how does it look to you? Any suggestions for improvement?" Bethany asked humbly, knowing her job was on the line with the impending divorce. "It's awe-inspiring. You've got a real talent for putting something like this together," Megan replied, suppressing her envy. Even if Bethany was a genius, Megan still had complete control over her. When they arrived at the office, Megan led Bethany to Regina's. Megan patted Bethany's shoulder reassuringly as Regina observed. "Don't worry. The sketches will pass the test. We'll entrust it to Ms. Katz," Megan said, glancing at Regina. Regina stood from her seat, smiling as she watched Megan leave. As soon as the door closed, Regina's expression darkened. Megan and Bethany had entered the office together, and Megan's remarks about the sketches had seemed like a subtle message to Regina. Regina believed Megan had made the sketches again this time. She calmly reviewed them, confirming that the quality matched Megan's talent. Regina snorted and shot a harsh stare at Bethany. "Is there something you don't like, Ms. Katz?" Bethany asked Regina straight out. "Not like? How could I not like them?" Regina tossed the drafts onto her desk and continued, "If Ms. Reyes approved it, why wouldn't I?" Bethany was puzzled. Was Regina criticizing her for showing Megan the sketches first? She instantly apologized, "Please don't worry, Ms. Katz. I will make sure to present you with the sketches beforehand next time." Next time? Regina thought Bethany was treating her as a fool. She waved her hand, signaling for Bethany to leave immediately. She had no plans to give Bethany new tasks any time soon. Bethany returned to her workstation and remembered the divorce agreement she had signed earlier that morning. She sent Trystan a WhatsApp message. "The divorce agreement looks good. When should we finalize everything?" Trystan felt a surge of inexplicable anger when he read the message. They had just slept together the night before, yet Bethany was eager to move on with the divorce proceedings. Was she planning to plot against him when they went to court after agreeing not to get a divorce settlement? Trystan angrily typed out a response. "Are you satisfied with your prospective suitors?" Before he could hit send, there was a knock on the door. It was Megan. Trystan pocketed his phone. "Trys, about last night—" "I was drugged." "I get it. But it's been almost a month since my return, and my family is getting anxious." "Lawson Group has had several major cases lately, and I can't afford to take time off. We can take care of the wedding plans any way you like." Megan sighed. "Going to the courthouse takes just a few minutes, Trystan. You're not having second thoughts about divorcing Beth, are you? "You better not. Whoever falls first loses. I'm fine with losing to you, but I don't want you to end up as low as I did." Megan paused. "Trystan, you must not repeat the same mistakes." "Alright, don't overthink it. I'll make time to finalize the divorce as soon as possible." Trystan felt strangely irritated. After Megan left, Trystan picked up his phone again. He stared at the WhatsApp message he had just typed and deleted it. What did Bethany's blind dates have to do with him? Instead, he typed another message and sent it with a serious expression. "I'll let you know as soon as I have time. I hope you won't change your mind when the time comes." Bethany read the message several times, sensing Trystan's impatience between the lines. A countdown clock appeared to be ticking on her marriage. While Bethany didn't hear back from Trystan in the following days, she was given another task. What was more, she had been asked for it by name. Bethany was overjoyed. She had finally been recognized. Regina, however, was worried. Megan would be away on business for at least three to five days. After sending her clients off, Regina called Bethany into her office. "You know Ms. Reyes is away on a trip, right?" "Yes." Bethany didn't understand why Regina had mentioned that. "The client has given us a three-day deadline," Regina said meaningfully, hoping Bethany would reconsider. "Three days? I'll put in some overtime. It should be possible." Bethany wasn't about to let go of this opportunity. When Regina saw Bethany's cheerful expression, she became even angrier. She didn't understand why there was any reason to rejoice when Bethany had been recognized for something she had plagiarized. She realized that Bethany had to fail horribly to learn her lesson. "Fine. You have three days. It's a new client, and she's important." "I understand, Ms. Katz. Rest assured; I'll give it my all." Bethany returned to her workstation and began a new series of sketches. The new client had only given her three days with inadequate specifications. It was challenging to design something that would meet the client's requirements. Bethany slept an average of three or four hours every night, hoping to seal the deal. Three days later, when Regina saw the draft, she was shocked. "Did you draw this yourself?" Regina couldn't help but ask. The draft was far better than the previous one. Bethany, who was sporting dark circles under her eyes, nodded. "What do you think, Ms. Katz?" Regina remained silent, genuinely puzzled by Bethany's talent. Regina wondered if Bethany was also a skilled designer, considering that Megan was unavailable this time. She replied dismissively, "The client's opinion matters, not mine." Regina walked to the door and then turned around. "What are you waiting for? Come with me to meet the client. They're here for you." "Okay." Bethany was relieved that the last few days hadn't been in vain. In the VIP room, the client, Agatha Meyer, had finished the appetizers and fruits served to her, just like she had done previously. She clearly had some quirks. Regina labeled her as a nouveau riche. However, regardless of their origin, whether nouveau riche or old money, everyone was welcomed as long as they could pay the design fees. "Mrs. Meyer, I apologize for the wait." Regina smiled as she handed Agatha the design sketches. "The gown you requested has been designed. Our artist, Bethany Reyes, worked three consecutive nights on it." Agatha casually flipped through the sketches, then looked at Bethany. "You drew this for three consecutive nights?" Bethany detected a trace of malice in Agatha's expression as she cautiously nodded. "Yes, Mrs. Meyer. Do you see any issues with it? If there's anything you don't like, I can make adjustments—" Before Bethany could finish her sentence, Agatha tossed the sketches in her face. Bethany was taken off guard as she felt the paper cut across her cheek, prompting her to inhale sharply.