“Ms. Scott, I’m leaving for Silverwood Estate now.” Victoria stood at the door of Isabella’s office, holding a package that contained the Whispering Blooms collection.

“Drive safely,” Isabella replied without looking up from her screen.

After Victoria left, the studio fell into deeper silence. Only the soft ticking of the clock and occasional keyboard taps could be heard. Isabella was completely absorbed in reviewing design after design on her monitor.

Her focus shattered when her phone buzzed with a new WhatsApp notification.

It was from Natalie.

Isabella’s heart jumped. A sharp sense of dread washed over her.

She hadn’t been in touch with Natalie since leaving Apex Design Collective.

Isabella opened the message and froze as she read the words. “Zoe resigned.” Zoe?

Isabella’s breath caught. Her fingers tightened instinctively around her mouse.

Zoe had been her professional rival at Apex, always hostile and competitive. After Isabella left, Zoe had immediately taken over her role as lead designer.

Why would Zoe resign so suddenly?

Isabella’s heart began pounding as her thoughts spiraled.

Was there trouble at Apex, or was Zoe pursuing another opportunity? “This can’t be…” Isabella whispered to herself, struggling to push away the suspicions forming in her mind. But the earlier unease returned, stronger than before.

She quickly typed a reply to Natalie. “What happened? Any idea why she resigned?”

Isabella hit send and stared intently at her phone. The clock’s rhythmic ticking amplified her anxiety. Then—Ding!

She frantically opened the new message.

Natalie’s reply was brief. “She’s returning to her home country. Your country.” Zoe was coming back?

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over Isabella’s head. The timing of Zoe’s return… It couldn’t possibly be a coincidence.

“Thank you,” Isabella typed, her fingers trembling.

Zoe’s return was undoubtedly bad news for her.

She checked the time; Liam’s classes would be ending soon. She needed to pick him up.

Isabella saved her work and shut down her computer. She grabbed her purse and coat, leaving the studio with her mind still racing.

As Isabella and Liam walked out of the kindergarten, hand in hand, Liam clutched a handmade pinwheel. It spun wildly with each of his joyful skips, his laughter echoing around them. “Look, Mommy! See how fast it goes?” Liam shouted excitedly, holding it up high.

Isabella smiled warmly and ruffled his hair. “It’s wonderful, sweetheart. You’re so clever!”

But their moment was interrupted by the sudden ringing of her phone. A sense of foreboding washed over her as she glanced at the screen and saw Victoria’s name on the caller ID.