Chapter 4

Stella Hart POV

The Paris Fashion Week lineup was announced.

Isabella's name replaced mine as the studio's featured designer.

The industry was in an uproar, everyone speculating whether I'd been replaced.

I ignored the outside rumors, clocking in and out on time every day, quietly handing off my work.

Five days until leaving the country.

In the afternoon, the studio held a general meeting.

Isabella sat in the main seat that used to be mine, holding my design drafts and offering opinions.

"I think this gown's waistline design is too rigid. It should be changed to cutouts, adding some sexy elements." Isabella pointed at the blueprints, looking at Ethan delicately. "What do you think?"

Ethan smiled indulgently. "Whatever you think is good. Change it according to your ideas."

I sat in the corner, looking down at flight information on my phone, as if none of this concerned me.

That gown's theme was "Salvation of the Deep Sea." The waistline design was meant to echo the embracing sensation of ocean waves. Changing it to cutouts would destroy the entire concept.

But I said nothing.

After the meeting ended, Isabella called out to me.

"Stella, can you stay and help me modify the blueprints? I'm not very good with that software." Isabella looked at me with an innocent expression.

Ethan frowned and said to me, "Help her out. Don't let her get too tired."

I raised my head, looked at Ethan's expression, and said flatly, "I'm off the clock."

"Stella Hart!" Ethan's voice darkened. "Do you have to be so petty? Isabella is the main show designer now. Her work affects the entire studio's interests. As an investor, don't you have any sense of the bigger picture?"

"Bigger picture?" I stood up, looking Ethan straight in the eyes. "My sense of the bigger picture is not interfering with the main show designer's 'great creations.' Since she thinks my design is rigid, let her change it herself."

With that, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.

Isabella suddenly rushed over and grabbed my bag, crying. "Stella, don't go. I know you hate me for taking your position, but I really didn't mean to. I just want to prove myself..."

As we struggled, Isabella suddenly let go, and her whole body fell backward, hitting the glass display case behind her hard.

Crash.

The sound of shattering glass echoed through the entire office.

Isabella's arm was cut by the broken glass, blood flowing freely.

"Isabella!"

Ethan and Adrian rushed over like madmen.

Adrian shoved me aside, causing me to crash into the sharp corner of the desk.

Sharp pain shot through my waist. I grunted, my face turning deathly pale.

But Adrian didn't even glance at me. His eyes red, he picked up Isabella and roared at me, "Stella Hart! If anything happens to Isabella's hand, I will never forgive you!"

Ethan walked last. He stopped, looking down at me clutching my waist and breaking into a cold sweat, his eyes as cold as ice.

"You've disappointed me too much. Starting today, you don't need to come to work. Come back when you realize your mistakes."

The office door slammed shut.

I leaned against the desk, the pain making even breathing difficult.

I slowly rolled up my shirt. My side was already bruised purple over a large area.

I didn't cry. I just took out my phone and sent the lawyer a message.

"Is the agreement ready? I'll come sign it tomorrow."