Chapter 5

With her mother, Grace Stafford, as a major influence in her life, Estelle had gradually developed a deep interest in jewelry design.

She had always wanted to follow in Grace's footsteps and carry Grace's distinctive jewelry design style through her creations.

Therefore, Estelle and her senior started a company not long after she graduated from college.

Even though they started the business small, their business eventually grew and expanded due to their hard work and relentless effort.

However, just as their company was about to go public, Estelle suddenly decided to get married and become a housewife.

Consequently, the company had to compensate its partners, who came to them specifically for Estelle's designs, for the breach of contract. They even nearly failed to take the company public.

Most of their company's employees were exasperated after learning of Estelle's decision. Although she still owned shares in the company, most employees had decided not to keep in touch with her since then.

Other than receiving the annual dividends from the company, Estelle had no clue about the company's current affairs or situation.

Even the jewelry design talent she was proudest of seemed to have deteriorated to the point of no return.

What could she possibly contribute to the company if she went back to work now?

The jewelry pieces exhibited at the jewelry show featured the finest, latest designs, while the jewelry designers who could make the cut were mostly skilled and experienced.

As she had been out of touch with the outside world for so many years, attending the jewelry show was the quickest and most effective way for Estelle to learn the latest trends in this industry.

Therefore, she had to attend the jewelry show this time.

Estelle was caught slightly off guard by the alarm on her phone.

She checked her phone and realized it was a reminder for her to prepare dinner.

Like Estelle, Kathleen enjoyed spicy food. However, because Kathleen was so young, Estelle had seldom let her eat spicy food, as her stomach might not be able to handle it.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel had gastric issues. He often had to meet and drink with clients as well.

When Nathaniel and Kathleen weren't home, Estelle would just have something simple for lunch. For breakfast and dinner, Estelle would prepare the meals herself to ensure Nathaniel and Kathleen had delicious, nutritious meals.

At first, Estelle would crave spicy food. With time, she gradually got used to eating less spicy food than before.

However, just a few days ago, Estelle heard Kathleen saying that she didn't really enjoy the dishes Estelle made because they tasted bland. Instead, Kathleen thought that the spicy wings Lynette had bought for her were much more delicious.

Estelle agreed that the spicy wings tasted better. It had probably been almost ten years since she last ate them.

Estelle turned off the alarm for the reminder. Then, she deleted all of the reminders she had saved on her phone. After that, Estelle ordered a bowl of extra spicy noodle soup, having to wipe her snot as she slurped the noodles.

…

At night, Nathaniel and Kathleen arrived home. Kathleen was visibly displeased, pouting indignantly.

"Why can't we stay there and watch until the end of the projection mapping show? I bet the final part of the show is even more amazing!"

Nathaniel explained patiently, "Mommy's injuries aren't fully healed yet. Once she's fully recovered, we'll watch the entire show."

"Huh? What if Mommy wants to come with us?" Kathleen was rather worried.

It always felt awkward whenever Estelle joined their outings. The mood would make both Kathleen and Lynette feel uncomfortable and wary. In the end, all of them were affected by that gloomy mood.

Kathleen wished that Nathaniel could also marry Lynette, like in the TV shows. It would be perfect if they could all live together.

That way, Kathleen could be with Nathaniel, Estelle, and Lynette. That would be the perfect scenario for her.

"Don't worry. She won't."

All these years, Estelle had been very obedient. When Nathaniel told her that he wished to keep their marriage a secret, Estelle yielded and cooperated.

Apart from the few occasions when they attended family gatherings, Estelle would pretend not to know Nathaniel whenever they ran into each other outside.

The projection mapping show and family gatherings were two separate matters. Estelle wouldn't stubbornly ask to tag along.

"Alright, then."

Kathleen followed Nathaniel into the house because she knew she wouldn't be able to persuade him to change his mind.

Anyway, she had had a lot of oily, spicy food for the past few days. Since her cravings had been satiated, Kathleen was currently looking forward to having the soup Estelle made.

The soup that Jodie made last night tasted alright. However, Kathleen found it inedible, especially when she compared it to the soups Estelle had made previously.

She decided to have some soup prepared by Estelle tonight.

"Mommy, I want…"

Before she could finish her sentence, Kathleen realized that Estelle wasn't waiting by the door for them like she usually would.

Nathaniel was a little surprised as well, and he gazed in the direction of the kitchen. After Jodie hurried out of the kitchen, it was completely silent in there.

"Where's my wife?"

"Mr. Lockhart, Mrs. Lockhart said that she found a job and she wouldn't be home for the next few days."

"A job? Estelle managed to secure a job?" Nathaniel wondered.

"Huh? Doesn't that mean I won't be able to have the soup that Mommy makes, then?"

Kathleen, who seemed rather excited until just now, looked extremely sad and disappointed.

She sincerely thought the soup that Jodie made didn't taste as good as Estelle's.

Besides, why would Estelle have to work when Nathaniel had given her a lot of money? Kathleen just couldn't understand why Estelle was so greedy.

On the other hand, Nathaniel accepted the explanation fairly quickly.

He reckoned Estelle probably wanted to find something to do because she had gotten bored with staying at home.

They already had a housekeeper. Whether Estelle wanted to stay at home, look for a job, or just enjoy fun activities, Nathaniel didn't really care.

Jodie watched as Kathleen and Nathaniel changed into their indoor slippers. After a brief hesitation, she took out the jewelry box Estelle had given her yesterday.

"Mr. Lockhart, Mrs. Lockhart gave me this before she left. Do you perhaps want to…"

She could still remember how much Estelle treasured the necklace and how precious it was to her.

After Jodie fixed the necklace and gave it back to Estelle, the latter was so happy that she doubled Jodie's salary that month and gave her presents to express her gratitude.

Yet, Estelle had given something so precious to Jodie instead.

"Daddy, Mommy's splurging again!"

Jodie's eyes rounded in shock. She could not understand why Kathleen would say something like that.

"Mr. Lockhart…"

"It's alright."

Nathaniel waved his hand dismissively. "You can keep it since she's given it to you. She probably has had it for a long time and no longer wants to wear it. She can always buy a new one when she comes across something she likes after this. You can serve dinner now."

"Still, this is…"

The necklace was something Estelle had designed and made herself. There was no way they could find something similar to it in any shops.

Before Jodie could finish what she had to say, Nathaniel's phone rang.

"Hello, Lynette…"

Kathleen immediately raised her head and gazed at Nathaniel with sparkling eyes. She grabbed onto his hand and made him squat down.

"Lynette said that she took a video of the projection mapping show and bought your favorite spicy wings. You can have them the next time you see her."

"Can't we go and meet her right now?" Kathleen pleaded desperately as she held onto Nathaniel's hand and swung it left to right.

"Please, Daddy? Mommy's not home anyway. If we head over now, we can probably still see the rest of the show."

Nathaniel was weak against Kathleen's pleas, and a female voice would come down the line from time to time. Eventually, he gave in to Kathleen's request.

"Alright. We'll go there right now."

Nathaniel carried Kathleen in his arms and strode out of the house.

Jodie stood in the same spot. As she watched Nathaniel's and Kathleen's receding figures, Jodie opened her mouth. Yet, she didn't say anything in the end.

…

Estelle had no idea about all the thoughts that went through Jodie's mind in that short time.

She spent almost an entire night sitting before the easel, deep in thought. Fortunately, she managed to complete a design sketch that she was pretty satisfied with.

Estelle hesitated for a while before sending a copy of her design sketch.

The company she had submitted her design sketch to was the one she had started and watched it prosper previously, Lumiere Aster.