Chapter 36
Whitney looked at her for a moment and then nodded with a smile.
“Whitney, you’re incredibly talented! Did you finish your preliminary sketches? Can I take a peek?”
Ste said, her interest piqued as she moved closer to sit with Whitney.
Tiana chuckled, “Come on, Ste, who are you kidding? I know you’re the one who least liked hitting
the books. What’s got you suddenly so interested in jewelry design?”
Whitney hurned her head to ven Ste’s expression hidden by a curts of blonde hair. Then Ste lifted
her paze chuckling. Tve been dying tond that Imperial Gem Corporation campaign, and you, my dear
N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.
Whitney. could give me a crash course in all things sparkly
Whitney curled a lips, powering up herptop to show her Tve only got halfway through the design.”
“Wow, this is gorgeous, Ste admired intently, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.
After a while longer in conversation, Ste stood up, Tm going to freshen up in thedies‘ room.
Anyone care to join?*
Tians tossed her a mask, “Go ahead, you knockout.”
with a yfulugh, Ste swept through the curtain and left.
Whitney’s gaze casually followed, and for a short moment, she thought she saw Monica.
She stood up quickly and peeked outside, but the hallway was empty.
“What’s up?”
“Must’ve been seeing things,” Whitney shrugged it off. Aquatic Harmony Club was their secret little
hideout; how could Monica possibly know about it?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a slight frown furrowing her delicate brows.
“What’s on your mind?” Tiana nudged her.
Whitney pondered momentarily, “Tiana, don’t you feel like Ste seems a bit different since she got
back?”
“Different, how?”
Whitney could not quite put her finger on it; there were no apparent changes. Maybe it was just her
imagination, “After all that’s happened to me, she only asked once. And she seemed a bit edgy,
steering the conversation toward the jewelrypetition out of the blue.”
“You overthink things because you’re too smart for your own good. It’s normal for her to be eager for
sess in showbiz. She’s also chasing that ad campaign, which exins her sudden interest in
jewelry. Chill out. We’ve been besties for years. Don’t let the Valentine family drama make you distrust
everyone. At least you can trust me and Ste.”
Tiana gripped her hand with a reassuringugh, and Whitney’s gloom lifted. Right, why was she
doubting her best friends?
Ste returned from the restroom and touched up her makeup, and about two minutester, another
charming figure exited and went in a different direction.
The trio headed to Tiana’s ce, where Whitney had left some reference books.
Ste’s agent soon picked her up while Whitney stayed behind, browsing through books as she
continued her designs.
As evening approached, Whitney thought about L, who should be finishing work soon. The thought of
her rival Ludwik Lippert getting fresh with her made her feel guilty about L back home. Should she call
him?
As if reading her thoughts, Tiana teased, “Missing your pretend hubby? Call him. You should have him
Before Whitney could respond, Tiana snatched her phone, found L’s number, and dialed.
As soon as the call connected, she returned the phone to Whitney. With a heated cheek, Whitney
answered, “Hello, L?”
“May I help you with something?” A woman’s soft and pleasant voice answered from the other end.
Thutney stiffened and Tiana’s expression dark “Whos this? Where’s the owner of this preu
He is resting. Did you need him for something? The woman’s tone was nonchnt buit Whitney
sensed aft antony in her im.
Whitney recalled the female silhouette in the car that picked up 1 one morning
Her smile faded, and hershes fluttered down as she quickly said. ‘It’s nothing”
She hung up, the phone feeling awkward in her hands. With a cold, dim gaze, she wondered why he
would be resting in the afternoon. The woman’s voice sounded too intimate. What was he resting from?
The more she thought, the worse she felt. She reminded herself that she had built walls; his life was
none of her concern!
something was lodged in her heart, causing difort. If he truly had a lover, why deny having a
girlfriend that day? Why give her favorite books, help with her sketches, and flirt…
Whitney… Maybe it’s just a female colleague, Tiana tried to lighten the mood.
“Do you believe that? Besides, in a transactional marriage, his affairs are none of my business,*
Whitney feigned nonchnce.
I’m crashing at your ce tonight, I’ve got to finish my drafts.“–
“Sure, you can even sleep over, no problem!” Tiana offered.
Whitney did not go home that night, staying over at Tiana’s. L did not call, and she scoffed at the
thought that he probably felt no need to exin himself.
The next day, Whitney was still at Tiana’s when Natalie called. Fearing worry, Whitney hurriedly
grabbed herptop and returned to the vi.
Natalie touched her shoulder, asking carefully, “Whitney dear, are you and that boy having a tiff?”
“Not at all,” Whitney shook her head, feigning calm.
That’s good. I wondered why you hadn’te home. He’s been busy, he might not have been able to
look after you these past few days. Don’t be upset, okay?”
He had probably been very attentive to someone else.
Whitney thought bitterly. Then Natalie suddenly chuckled, “Actually, I didn’t ask you toe back. Your
husband wanted you to deliver something to him. He should be free tonight to spend some time with
you.”
Whitney was puzzled, “Mom, what am I delivering, and where to?”
To this hotel. Here’s the package. The driver will take you,” Natalie said as she handed Whitney a bag
and hurried her into the car.
Throughout the drive to the hotel, Whitney was in a daze. A servant led her into an aromatic suite that
seemed too intimate forfort.
Just as she turned her head, the servant shut the door from the outside, advising, “Sir asked you to
take a bath and rest first. The bag contains your nightgown.”
So, he had here to deliver… her own nightgown?
Whitney was utterly baffled. The clock had struck seven in the evening, and after two grueling days on
a deadline with little sleep, she felt exhaustion creeping in. Deciding to take a quick shower, she
emerged to find she had no pajamas to wear. Thus, she had no choice but to put on something thin
with ears and a tail in her bag. Too tired to care, she slipped into the odd garment and copsed onto
her bed, sumbing to sleep almost instantly.
At eight o’clock, the corridor echoed with the sound of steady footsteps. d in a sharp, tailored suit
that
struggled to contain his towering frame, exuding an air of refined austerity, a man approached. His
expression was stern, his presencemanding.
Upon seeing Taryn, the man’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What’s the madam doing at a hotel at this
hour?”
“She finds the silence here conducive to her art. She’s probably working on her illustrations, sir. Please,
go on an.” Taryn said with a smile. “By the way, you’ve been so busy. I bet you haven’t eaten yet. Ms.
Natalie made you some soup to chase away the chill.”
The man’s eyebrow quirked as he fixed his gaze on the door, his mind on the petite woman inside.
Without another nce, he took the steaming soup and drank it down.
Then he turned the doorknob and strode into the room.
The space was dimly lit, the air perfumed with a delicate scent that seemed to emanate from the
woman herself.
A sudden ripple passed through his Adam’s apple.
Taryn quickly hurried back to the corner, where Natalie was smiling slyly. “Just one bowl of that
nourishing soup, and I bet they’ll patch things up! I’ve sensed something off between them since the
hospital visit.”
“But ma’am, are you sure about this ‘matchmaking‘? What if the young master finds out…”