Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 114

Effie's expression grew instantly serious. “Miss Isabel, you may not like my work, but please don't insult my integrity. I did not plagiarize."

With that, she reached into her bag and pulled out a folder, handing it to Isabel. "Here are my original sketches and notes from the design process. Feel free to look them over. And if that's not enough, I can contact the SW Studio-they can vouch for me."

Isabel scoffed. "Miss Bagnold, what's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to say you have some connection to SW?"

Unbelievable. The nerve.

But Effie nodded calmly, her voice steady. "Yes. SW mentored me. When I was studying in Paris, I was fortunate enough to learn jewelry design under her guidance. So, of course I'm able to use the design elements you mentioned."

For a moment, Isabel was stunned. She hadn't expected Effie to have such an impressive background.

No wonder her designs were exceptional-she'd been taught by one of the top masters in the field. Effie was SW's protégé?

A flurry of emotions crossed Isabel's face. How could this be possible? Their worlds should never have overlapped.

works in

when Effie was a top student, she earned a chance to study abroad. One day, she helped an elderly woman in need-never guessing that the woman

she offered to

time, Effie didn't know SW's real identity-SW was famously reserved and rarely appeared

potential but

for her back in the States. SW, meanwhile, set off to travel the world, always searching for

stayed in touch, exchanging ideas and

hoped to invite SW to her wedding, but things changed when the groom turned

told anyone she was SW's protégé. She didn't want unnecessary attention or complications. More than anything, she wanted her work to speak for itself-unclouded by her mentor's legendary

wanted clients to love her designs, not just

encounter someone today who was such a superfan of her mentor that they could

stared at Effie, searching her calm, steady gaze for any sign of a lie. But Effie looked back with quiet confidence,

for Isabel not

voice was shaky, as