Chapter 5 Returning to the Design Scene

• Cynthia's POV:
• I stood paralyzed, overwhelmed by fear and anxiety.
• When Dean finally left, my friends breathed a sigh of relief and gathered around me once more. "Cynthia, isn't Dean your boyfriend? Why is he talking to you like that?"
• I was at a loss for words, my complexion as pale as a ghost.
• Recently, Dean and I had attended many social events together, and rumors about our relationship had been spreading without him denying them.
• This led me to devise alternative plans.
• I created a fake pregnancy report and presented it to Rachel, hoping she would step aside.
• If successful, I could secure my position with Dean in a legitimate manner.
• I had thought through various possible outcomes, but I never expected Dean's response to be so intense.
• After returning home, I dedicated considerable effort to uncovering details about Dean and Rachel's marriage.
• Back then, Rachel's father had fallen into financial difficulties, and his creditor sold her to the Twilight Lounge. After escaping, she met Dean and pleaded with him to save her.
• A couple of months later, Rachel showed up at his door with a pregnancy report. The Murrays, being a prestigious family, were eager to protect their reputation and avoid scandal. Since Rachel was pregnant, Dean married her.
• However, it was peculiar that less than two months after the wedding, she lost the child.
• It seemed too perfectly timed, suggesting that Rachel might have staged a false pregnancy to manipulate Dean into marriage and gain entry into the Murrays.
• Dean had maintained a frosty attitude toward Rachel ever since.
• It was no wonder Dean was so furious; I had inadvertently triggered a sensitive issue!
• It seemed like I needed to devise a new strategy to join the Murrays!
• Third-Person POV
• Rachel waited a few more days, but Dean still hadn't responded.
• Her encounter at the Twilight Lounge made her suspect that Dean was deliberately delaying the divorce, possibly to inflict further frustration and exact revenge for what she had done to him before.
• While Dean could afford to be patient, Rachel couldn't afford to remain idle. She planned to finalize the divorce proceedings first and then figure out her next steps.
• Nevertheless, she needed to support herself and couldn't just wait passively.
• When Jane learned that Rachel was looking for work, she set aside her potato chips and eagerly said, "Come work with us at the magazine! We're actually looking for a new designer to develop our own brand."
• Rachel hesitated at the suggestion. "Do you think … I can do it? I haven't done any design work in three years."
• "Sweetheart, you can do it. It's worth a shot. You have nothing to lose."
• Rachel considered it for a moment and then agreed. "Alright."
• Jane, ever proactive, took immediate action. The next day, she brought Rachel's portfolio from three years ago to the chief editor's office.
• Alvin Ferreira examined the portfolio and then shifted his gaze to the signature at the bottom. After a brief pause, he inquired, "Is Lyrae your friend?"
• "Yes, she is. Her work has a distinct and captivating charm. Bringing her on board would be a major win for us," Rachel replied.
• Alvin was familiar with Lyrae's reputation. She had once dazzled the jewelry design world with her brilliance, but her career had taken a sudden downturn. Following her initial success, she had disappeared from the scene.
• Some speculated she had lost her creative spark after achieving acclaim, while others suggested she had married into high society and retired from the public eye.
• There were many theories, but no one anticipated her reappearance after a three-year hiatus.
• Alvin suggested, "Does she have time to meet tonight? How about we have dinner together?"
• Jane immediately saw this as a positive sign for the deal and responded enthusiastically, "Yes, I'll contact her right away."
• ...
• During the dinner, Rachel and Jane's chief editor got along very well. Despite Rachel's repeated mentions of not having worked in three years, Alvin assured her that it was not an issue. He requested that she submit a sketch based on a particular style within the week.
• If the boss was pleased with the submission, they would proceed with the contract.
• As the evening wore on, Alvin said, "It's challenging to find a cab in this area, and it's not safe for you two to be out alone. Let me give you a ride home."
• "Perfect! I'll just use the restroom first," Jane said, then looked at Rachel. "Rachel, are you coming?"
• "Sure, I'll join you."
• Jane added, "Mr. Ferreira, please wait for us. We'll be right back."
• Alvin smiled and replied, "Take your time. No rush."
• While Jane washed her hands in the restroom, she said, "Everything's going so well. Mission accomplished!"
• Rachel, though reassured by the progress, voiced her concern, "I'm just worried that if my designs don't meet your boss's expectations, I might disappoint you and Mr. Ferreira."
• Jane reassured her, "Oh, don't worry about that. Our boss is a kind, easygoing man who mostly stays out of the details. Mr. Ferreira makes most of the day-to-day decisions, and the boss only gives the final approval. Since Mr. Ferreira is so enthusiastic about working with you, everything should be fine."
• Just then, the sound of high heels clicking on the restroom floor drew their attention.
• Moments later, Cynthia appeared before them.