78 Gossip, Gratitude, and a Mysterious Guest
The hum of sewing machines and soft rustling of labric had become my lifeline For three straight days fd barely left my studio, pushing myself to perfect every stitch of the new collection My eyes burned from lack of sleep, but the designs were taking shape beautifully
Ms. Shaw? There’s a call on line two My new assistant poked her head through the
doorway
4 rubbed my temples. Take a message
“It’s Ms Vance She says it’s urgent
With a sigh
picked up the phone. “Vera. I’m drowning in fabric right now
And I’m drowning in concern for my workaholic best friend,” Vera shot back. “You can’t hide in that studio forever
I’m not hiding. I’m working”
“For seventy-Two hours straight? That’s not dedication, that’s avoidance” Her voice softened “Look, everyone’s meeting at Enigma tonight. No excuses this time
Vera-
“You need this, Hazel One night to remember you’re human. I won’t take no for an
Auswer
1 glanced at the mountain of sketches on my desk. The Truth was, I was exhausted. Roning my own company without Alistair’s connections was proving harder than I’d anticipated. The stress of keeping eighteen employees paid and projects on schedule weighed heavily
“Five Just for a few hours
Perfect Be there at eight Vera hung up before I could change my mind.
Fangme pulsed with muse and Fighter as I stepped madde. The upscale clih was
TV chandeliers asting a soft gloss over intimate seating arc is 1
dancy be with uchundeber
arvas
spotted Vera waving frantically from a large sectional in the VIP area
“She’s here” Vera squealed, rushing over to hug me
To my surprise the entire section was packed with familiar faces at least fifteen friends who had invested in my business after the split with Alistair
“Surprise” they shouted in unison
“What’s all this asked, overwhelmed by the attention.
A celebration of your independence: Vera explained, linking her arm through ming “Everyone wanted to Toast to Evening Gala’s solo success.
t
My chest fightened with gratitude and anxiety. These people had put their faith and money in me What if I couldn’t deliver?
This is too much. I protested as Vera handed me a glass of champagne
Nonsense We believe in you said Marcus, an old college friend who’d invested heavily. “Your designs are brilliant
1 raised my glass. “Then let me at least cover tonight’s bill. It’s the least I can do to thank you all for your support
Cheers erupted as everyone clinked glasses. The night progressed with music drinks and Haughter- a welcome distraction from my worries. For a lew hours. I felt the tetision melting from my shoulders
Until someone mentioned Sebastian
“So Hazel Clarissa leaned in conspiratorially “what’s really going on between you and Sebastian Sinclair The gossip columns are having a field day
The table fell silent all eyes turning to me My cheeks burned
lothing’s going on insisted. He helped me secure a loan, that’s all
Knowing smiles were exchanged around The Table
aust
Come on Man is pressed. “The Sinclares don’t mist help people without reason Everyone knows this by notoriously selective about their associations
Abc he showed up at your fashiver show another friend added “Sebastian Sinclait
a Mustonen faunat
oever attends those events
My discomfort grew You’re reading too much into it
“Is that why you’ve been avoiding his calls?” Vera Leased, clearly tipsy
I shot her a warning glance “How did you know about that?
“He called me looking for you” she admitted “Seemed concerned.
The realization hit me like a bucket of ice water Looking around at the eager faces, 1 suddenly understood why my friends had been so quick to invest in my company They werent list backing my Jalent – they believed had Sebastian Sinclair’s protection
“Listen, everyone” I set my glass down firmly. “Sebastian and aren’t involved. borrowed money from him purely to spite Alistair and Ivy. That’s it.
Nobody looked convinced
“Sure. Hazel.” Clarissa winked. “Your secret’s safe with us.
“There is no secret!” Finsisted, growing frustrated
Marcus shook his head You don’t need to be modest. We’re all friends here
I’m not being modest. I’m being honest.” My voice rose slightly “Sebastian Sinclair is not backing my company.
The atmosphere grew awkward. I could see doubt in their eyes – not about Sebastian’s involvement, but about my company’s stability without it
“Even if he was ” Vera jumped in trying to salvage the mood. “It wouldn’t change the fact that Evening Gala’s designs are revolutionary. We invested in your talent, Hazel.
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the group, but the damage was done. The seed of doubt had been planted in my mind. Did they really believe me, or just in
Sebastian’s rumored protection
Just as I was searching for words to change the subject, Vera’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen, her eyes widening
Excuse me a moment she said stepping away to answer
I took the opportunity to escape to the bar, needing a moment to collect my thoughts. The bartender slid a fresh glass of water toward me
You look like you could use this, he said kindly
“That obvious, huh?” I took a grateful sip.
Being the center of attention can be exhausting”
I nodded, watching my friends from a distance. They were laughing again, the conversation having moved on. They were good people. I reminded myself. They wouldn’t have invested if they didn’t believe in me at all
Vera appeared at my side her expression unreadable
Everything okay?” I asked
“Better than okay” She was practically bouncing with excitement “Remember that Investor I told you about? The one who helped me expand the restaurant chain last year?
I vaguely recalled her mentioning someone who’d swooped in with financing when she was struggling. “What about them?
“They’re on their way here. I’ve been dying for you to meet
“Tonight? Vera, I’m exhausted-
“Trust me this is one meeting you don’t want to miss. Her eyes sparkled mysteriously “This person has been asking about you for months.
A chillian down my spine. “Who exactly are we talking about?
Before Vera could answer her phone buzzed with a text. She glanced at it and broke
into a wide smile
They’re here. She grabbed my arm pulling me toward the entrance “Come on!
As we made our way through the crowded club my anxiety mounted Who was this mysterious benefactor so interested in me? And why did Vera look so pleased with
herself
Feaught a glimpse of the club’s massive doors swinging open revealing a tall silhouette backlit by the stinet lights outsole Iver before could makeyot the features
“lavet
Something about the confident stance made my lieartbeat quicken
Vera turned to me, her expression triumphant “Hazel, like you to meet
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