บททั้งหมดของ The Daughter the Morettis Threw Away Became a Jewelry Genius: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 7

After everyone left, my mother pressed the silver chain into my hand."Don't make that face. People might think we've mistreated you."The rough metal bit into my palm. I asked her softly:"Mom, do you remember the twin-star pendant you designed for me?"Three years ago, when we were picking necklace designs, Bella chose the laurel pattern from the family crest. I chose the twin-star knot.My mother said back then that the twin-star knot suited my quiet nature best. She said she'd set the two interlocking stars in gold, to show that I'd always be connected to the family.My mother paused, then frowned."Your sister's earrings still need a circle of diamonds. Don't bother me with old news."She turned and walked into her design studio.Through the half-open door, I saw it: set beside the diamonds on Bella's earrings were the two interlocking stars.The design was exactly what my mother had drawn for me.She hadn't forgotten. She'd just given what was mine to Bella.Back in my bedroom, I

Three days before the ball, I went to a couture studio in Boston to pick up the gown I'd commissioned.I'd saved up from odd jobs to have an independent designer make it. Something presentable, at least. My own coming-of-age dress.The studio owner checked the system and looked uncomfortable."Miss Moretti, the deposit for your gown was picked up two days ago... by a Mrs. Moretti."I was shaking with rage.I'd drawn those sketches myself.Even without the family necklace, I wanted one shred of dignity.Now even that was gone.When I got back to the estate, they were throwing Bella's pre-wedding party.Bella sat among the women, wearing not only Grandmother's diamond bracelet, but a new pair of Cartier gold bangles on her wrist.My aunt grabbed her hand. "These must have cost a fortune."My mother beamed. "Cartier gold bracelets—nine hundred sixty thousand dollars. Bella can't look shabby marrying into the Harrison family."Nine hundred sixty thousand.Exactly what I had in my bank acco

In New York, I went to a small jewelry studio in Manhattan.I'd missed my Columbia interview, but I'd reached out with my portfolio—and they'd invited me.The studio's creative director, Elena, had the contract ready before I arrived."Sophia, you're finally here!"She spread one of my portfolio sketches on the table.The twin-star pendant."These lines are so clean. The proportions are perfect. I'd like you to stay. You'll be paid thirty dollars an hour, plus a cut on any designs sold."I took the pen and signed my name.Sophia Moretti.This time, no one was pasting a label over it.I threw myself into the work.No more rubies. Only crisp, clean designs.Before long, a stylist for New York Fashion Week noticed my lily-of-the-valley silver collection. Elena paid me five thousand dollars.My first real pay.I bought a lockbox.Elena asked why I didn't use a bank."I need to be able to see it. To touch it.""Fine." She put the money in the box and handed me the key."Your things. Your ke

After the Morettis left, my mother fell ill.She clung to that silver chain, tracing the prong marks of the twin stars over and over.My father called me coldhearted.Then a bill arrived from the Harrison family. They wanted the Morettis to cover sixty thousand dollars Bella had secretly spent.She'd been throwing money around, pawning her own jewelry to keep up appearances.My father was shaking. "How could you be so reckless?"Bella cried, defensive: "You always said I couldn't let anyone look down on me. I needed to look the part!"That silenced them all.Her vanity and selfishness were exactly what they'd cultivated for twenty years.They'd taught her that if she cried loud enough, someone else's things became hers.They'd taught her no matter how badly she messed up, her sister would clean up the mess.Now that I wouldn't, they finally saw what they'd created.My father sold the Boston store's shares to cover the debt.But the Harrisons sent Bella back to the Morettis, saying she'