Chapter 155 "Understood," Sarah replied.
She had noticed the courier package sitting on her desk earlier but hadn't bothered to open it yet. Now, she walked over and carefully unwrapped the package.
Inside were the real estate certificates, pristine and official.
After sending Vincent a message confirming she had received them, she placed the documents into her locker without a second thought.
Her priorities lay elsewhere tonight.
After a quick shower, she let the warm water wash away her fatigue, her mind already shifting to the tasks awaiting her tomorrow.
The next morning, Sarah drove to work, her thoughts already occupied with her schedule for the day. As she neared the building where STARLINE Stuwas located, she prepared to turn the corner toward the underground garage.
That was when she saw him.
Cole's car was parked near the entrance, his window slightly lowered. He sat inside, unmoving, watching the surroundings with an unreadable expression.
Sarah's brows knitted together.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWhat is he doing here this early in the morning? If she recalled correctly, STARLINE Stuhad no scheduled meetings with Cole today.
As she pondered this, Cole spotted her car. Without hesitation, he stepped out and walked toward her. Sarah exhaled, bracing herself as she rolled down her window. "Cole," she greeted. "Did you chere for something?" Cole's sharp gaze locked onto hers, his thoughts from the night before still fresh in his mind.
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied her expression, as if searching for something. Finally, he spoke.
"Last night," he began, his voice measured, "in front of the hotel, I saw you, Leo, and Mr. Colton." Sarah blinked at the abrupt statement. She was about to ask what he meant when he continued, his next words more pointed.
"You're a student of Mr. Colton's too, aren't you?" For a brief moment, silence stretched between them.
Sarah froze.
For the briefest moment, her breath hitched, and a flicker of hesitation crossed her face.
But it was enough. Cole caught it. His sharp eyes, always scanning, always searching, glimpsed the truth buried in her reaction.
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "A few of the famous designs in STARLINE Studio... did they cfrom you?" Sarah's fingers curled at her sides, but her expression remained unreadable. She had spent years perfecting the art of restraint, of masking her emotions behind an unshakable facade. But inside, a storm brewed.
Cole doesn't know much about fashion design, but he has heard of "Saturn's Skirt," the most famous example of STARLINE Studio's design.
It is a masterpiece of romance and luxury. The main body of the jewel, Saturn, is an elaborately carved sunset- colored gemstone, while the diamonds surrounding it resemble a ring of Saturn stars, or a girl's dancing skirt, as if the magnificence of the vastness of the stars were gathered in a single square inch.
The necklace was eventually auctioned off for over a hundred million dollars, making STARLINE Studio, then a new company, famous.
If his speculation was correct...
If this guess turned out to be true...
Then Sarah had already been a world-famous designer at the age of seventeen.
The realization sent a jolt through him.
Eight or nine years ago, she had already reached a level of mastery that Linda- despite all her ambition, her desperate attempts to claw her way to the top- couldn't even cclose to touching.
And yet, all these years, Sarah had remained in the shadows, letting others bask in the studio's glory while she quietly built its foundation.
People praised STARLINE Studio's technology, attributing its success to Leo.
But the truth was clear now.
The one who was truly extraordinary... was Sarah.
A long silence stretched between them. Cole waited, watching her closely. Then, at last, she exhaled softly and gave a slow nod.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Yes." Confirmation.
Even though he had already guessed it, hearing it from her own lips sent a ripple through his composure. His NO pulse thrummed in his ears, and he found himself reevaluating everything he had thought he knew about her. Who was Sarah, really?
He had always assumed she was just another talented designer, diligent and intelligent, yes, but not someone who had rewritten the rules of the industry before even reaching adulthood. Now, standing in front of her, he felt as if he were looking at a stranger.
But admiration swiftly followed the shock.
Cole met her gaze, his voice steady. "I won't tell anyone." Sarah studied him, cautious. She had learned not to trust easily, had learned that secrets had a way of slipping from even the most well-meaning lips.
But there was something sincere in his eyes, something solid in the way he said it.
So she didn't argue. She simply nodded, then turned away.
After a busy ten days or so in a row, this morning, Sarah had to pick up a collaborator at the airport.
She tried her best to cheer up as her client's plane arrived at the airport Just as she was about to walk up to greet the guest, she saw a familiar figure appear behind the collaborator. A familiar energy that made the air feel heavier, sharper.
Sarah's lips parted slightly, her body going still.
Then, slowly, she lifted her gaze and met Arnold's dark, unreadable eyes.
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