Chapter 6

Estelle sat there and stared at the notification that indicated her submission was successful for quite some time.

She had never felt so unsure and worried about her work.

Estelle could easily decide to come back to working in the industry. However, alongside rapid economic development, the jewelry design industry had also evolved rapidly.

For the past six years, other than the times Nicole had asked for design sketches from her, Estelle had hardly practised drawing in her free time. Recently, even Nicole had started criticizing her design sketches, saying that Estelle's designs had become poorer in quality.

It was only then that Estelle realized how rusty and poor her skills had become.

Back then, she left the company despite knowing the consequences of her actions. How could she shamelessly ask them to take her back if she no longer had anything to offer now?

While she was deep in thought, the sound of her phone's ringtone made Estelle jump.

She pursed her lips when she saw the name displayed on the screen of her phone. She eventually pressed the answer button.

"You have half an hour. Meet me at the coffee shop next to our office building."

A deep voice came down the line, and he hung up right after saying those words. Estelle felt her heart sink.

She used the shortest time possible to get changed and apply some light makeup. With three minutes left, Estelle entered the coffee shop and sat opposite a man, looking a bit anxious and uneasy.

"Jules…"

Julian Ford lifted his head. He had on a pair of gold-rimmed glasses as he stared at Estelle's face with a hint of scrutiny.

"What would you like to drink?"

"A fruit…"

Estelle subconsciously mentioned fruit juice since it was Kathleen's favorite drink. However, she quickly stopped herself.

"A black coffee. Thank you."

Julian merely cast her a glance and remained silent. It was only after the coffee was served and the waiter had walked away that he took out a design sketch and placed it on the table.

"Is this your work?"

As expected, Julian recognized her work.

"Yes!" Estelle replied frankly.

"You want to come back and work for the company?"

"Yes!"

The atmosphere was a little tense for a moment. A while later, Julian said flatly, "Do you not need to take care of your husband and daughter anymore?"

Estelle's face turned pale.

Julian's words were like a knife to her heart. It pierced the most vulnerable part of Estelle's heart and reminded her of what she felt the most guilty and apologetic about.

"No. I'm already in the midst of preparing to get divorced."

Julian paused for a split second. A look of bewilderment appeared briefly on his face. However, he quickly regained his composure.

He placed one hand on top of the other on the table as he carefully studied the expression of the woman before him, whom he was once very close to.

"When you abandoned the Tear of Aster project just to marry Nathaniel, did you ever consider how disappointed Ms. Ackley would be?"

Estelle lowered her head even more. "I'm sorry."

"What's the use of you being sorry? The Tear of Aster project has been put on hold all this time. We've been waiting for you to come back and take charge of it."

"I…" Estelle had a conflicted look on her face. "I'm not sure if I can qualify to join the company with my current level of skills. That was why I decided to submit my work. I wanted to get feedback from current employees working for the company."

Julian knitted his brows.

Many people knew that he and Estelle had graduated from the same college. Yet no one knew the reason Estelle regarded Julian as her senior because they had the same mentor, Robin Ackley.

Robin had once said that Estelle was the most talented jewelry designer whose work was very special and distinctive amongst all the designers she had ever met.

Estelle was even quite conceited during her college days. She had once declared that she could definitely come up with the most suitable designs, no matter how difficult or demanding a request was.

Back then, she was very prideful and confident.

Now, after completing her design sketch, Estelle wanted to show it to the younger designers in their company first to get their feedback.

As for Nathaniel Lockhart, Julian knew he was the CEO of Lockhart Group, a leading enterprise with assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Yet, life with a man like him had somehow turned Estelle so timid and insecure. Julian could tell how hard their married life must have been on Estelle.

"Why? Do you not believe in your own skills and abilities? Or perhaps do you not believe in Ms. Ackley's judgment?"

"Of course not! There's no way I'll ever doubt Ms. Ackley's judgment."

Estelle immediately looked up and met Julian's gaze.

Robin was a renowned jewelry designer who had received global recognition. She could turn any gem into a unique work of art. Estelle would never doubt Robin's judgment.

"That's all that matters, right? Ms. Ackley has even said that you've demonstrated more talent in jewelry design than she has. So what if you have a little setback now? I'm sure there's nothing you can't accomplish if you just tap into the grit and tenacity you have back when you've made all those sacrifices for Nathaniel."

Estelle let out a dry chuckle. "Jules, are you praising or mocking me right now?"

"What do you think?"

Julian held his hand out toward Estelle. "Stella, welcome back."

Estelle stretched out her hand and shook Julian's hand. For a moment, it felt like she had gone back to the days when she and Julian were still working together.

"Do you want to come and have a look at the office now?"

"Jules, I want to do some self-studies first. I can't promise to perform the best at work. Nevertheless, I shouldn't perform too poorly."

They didn't need a designer who couldn't be much help to the company.

"Alright. I'll have someone compile the designs our team has developed over the past few years and send them to you. You should look up the major competitions and the winning pieces too."

"I will."

After a brief chat, Julian soon got up and left.

Just as Estelle was getting ready to leave, a voice filled with disbelief called out to her.

"Estelle Stafford, it really is you!"

Nicole came up to Estelle in quick strides. When she opened her mouth, Nicole noticed that some people were looking their way.

She spoke in a subdued voice. "What are you doing here when you should be at home working on the design sketches? Also, who is that man? Does Nate know that you're out here having coffee with another man?"

Estelle pulled a long face upon hearing the bombardment of questions.

In Nicole's opinion, Estelle had to inform Nathaniel first before meeting a male for coffee.

As for Nathaniel, Nicole had never said a bad word about him, even though he and Lynette had been making public appearances together.

In the past, Estelle would always yield and compromise since she hoped to maintain their marital relationship. Now that she had decided to get divorced, Estelle wasn't going to swallow her pride and suck up to someone who clearly looked down on her.

She refused to go along with Nicole's demands. "As I've said, I won't be helping you with drawing the design sketches anymore. From now on, I'll only be making those for myself."

Whether it was her design sketches or even just her practice sketches, Estelle wasn't going to share any of those things with Nicole anymore.

"Why you…"

Nicole didn't expect that Estelle would blatantly refuse her request yet again.

There wasn't much time left until the day of the competition. The results of the competition would decide whether Nicole's work would be included in the exhibition. She couldn't afford any blunders at times like this.

Could it be that Estelle truly did not care about Nathaniel or the Lockhart family anymore?

No. That was utterly impossible.

Nicole knew better than anyone else how much Estelle had sacrificed for Nathaniel all these years. She did not believe that Estelle would just give up on him or their relationship so easily.

Nicole had a smug look on her face as she said, "Estelle, you should know which lines you mustn't cross, even though you're just trying to gain Nate's attention. If I were to tell Nate that you were dating some man at a coffee shop today, do you think he might find you even more off-putting?"