A surge of relief washed over Evelyn.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Now that we've cleared the air, does this mean our collaborative design project is still on?"

Isabella was genuinely taken aback.

She hadn't expected Cassandra to be so willing to put their personal issues aside. "You still want me to design your gown?" Evelyn asked, surprise evident in her voice.

Cassandra offered a warm, gentle smile. "I know Alexander. He's a good man, so I choose to trust you as well. Personal matters shouldn't interfere with professional work, isn't that right?"

Her words only deepened Evelyn's sense of remorse.

She had been so unsettled by the closeness between Cassandra and Alexander the previous night. Yet here was Cassandra, demonstrating such professionalism and grace. No wonder she was a star.

A sharp pang of guilt hit Evelyn.

She nodded earnestly. "You have my word. I won't betray your trust. I will dedicate myself completely to this design."

"I believe you," Cassandra said, her smile encouraging.

They spent some more time discussing the specific details of the design.

Soon after, Evelyn stood up to take her leave.

The moment the door to the reception room closed, Cassandra's warm smile vanished.

Her face hardened into a cold, stony mask.

Her eyes burned with pure malice and hatred.

"Evelyn," she muttered, the name a venomous whisper through clenched teeth.

She took a deep, steadying breath.

Picking up a sterilized hand towel, she began meticulously wiping her hands.

"Touching you disgusts me," she sneered.

Once finished, she flung the towel into the trash with a sharp, disdainful flick of her wrist.

It was as if she were discarding Evelyn herself.

She recalled Evelyn's earnest promise.

A scornful, icy laugh escaped her lips. "Evelyn, your naivety is truly staggering," she said coldly. "Do you really think you're some renowned designer? Do you actually believe I respect your talent?"

Her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.

A calculating, ruthless expression flashed across her face.

"Just you wait, Evelyn. This time, you will face severe consequences. You'll learn what happens when you dare to compete with me for a man."

Evelyn was pleasantly surprised that Cassandra remained open to collaboration.

Determined to prove herself worthy of this trust, she resolved to pour extra effort into the design.

She began working extended hours.

Within two days, she had completed the initial draft.

She submitted the draft to Cassandra and received a positive response almost immediately.

With the design approved, Evelyn was ready to begin work on the final gown.

Her initial plan was to collaborate with several skilled colleagues, as she had done on previous projects.

However, when she approached Nathanial for assistance, he refused outright.

"Evelyn, working with Cassandra Sterling is different from our project with Beatrice," Nathanial explained gravely. "The gown she will debut at her first major public appearance since returning abroad must be kept under strict confidentiality."

He continued, his tone serious. "If this design were to leak, and be exploited by those with ill intentions, it could cause significant damage to both her public image and our company's reputation. Therefore, you must complete the final gown entirely on your own. Do you understand?"