Isabella let out a soft laugh. "You seem quite thrilled about this."

She didn't hesitate, handing over the invitation. "It's not like it has a name on it. Go ahead. With that many people, she'll never know who's who."

Her colleague's eyes widened in alarm, her hands waving frantically. "Isabella, I wouldn't dare! If Miss Sterling found out, I'd be ruined—and you could be dragged into it as well."

Isabella studied her colleague's panicked face, momentarily stunned.

Amelia Sterling's reputation was clearly formidable. Everyone was too scared to cross her.

"Isabella," her colleague whispered, nodding toward the invitation on the desk. "I just realized you and Miss Sterling are the same age."

Isabella's eyes drifted to the card, only then noticing the shared birth year. "That's correct," she confirmed.

Her colleague sighed deeply. "Both twenty-six. But you're so composed and dependable, always steady. And she..."

Noting the hesitation, Isabella gave a light chuckle. "Alright, that's enough."

After a brief pause, she added, "You should watch what you say. If the wrong person overhears, it could cause problems for you."

Her colleague stuck her tongue out playfully. "Understood. I'll be more careful next time."

Once alone, Isabella picked up the invitation again.

Typical of the Sterling family. Every birthday celebration was as lavish as a royal wedding.

She gave it a quick glance and dismissed it.

She had already decided to invent an excuse and skip the event entirely.

Amelia probably wouldn't even register her absence.

But the day before the party, another representative from the Sterling household appeared at Aethelgard Industries. "Miss Sterling personally chose this dress and jewelry for you." The attendant presented an exquisitely wrapped box at the entrance to the Design Department. "She has also arranged a car to collect you from Aethelgard Industries tomorrow evening."

The attendant's very public delivery made refusal impossible for Isabella.

"Thank you." She genuinely didn't know how to react.

Amelia's insistence was puzzling. Why go to such lengths—sending an outfit and organizing transport?

Was Amelia worried she wouldn't come?

Well, that had been the plan.

But now, her options had vanished.

Their current collaboration on the dress design project was still active. Damaging that professional relationship would be unwise.

After the Sterling entourage departed, Isabella's colleagues immediately clustered around, their whispers a mix of curiosity and envy.

Finally extracting herself, Isabella retreated to her office. Her gaze settled on the dress box on her desk. A knot of apprehension tightened in her stomach.

Why was Amelia so determined to secure her attendance?

After a moment's consideration, Isabella opened the box and inspected the gown inside.

A thorough examination revealed an elegant, understated evening dress. Nothing unusual.

With avoidance no longer possible, she resolved not to dwell on it.

She still couldn't decipher whether Amelia's interest was friendly, hostile, or something else entirely.

Perhaps tomorrow night would provide the answers she needed.

With that thought, Isabella pushed her concerns aside.

All that remained was to attend Amelia's grand celebration.