?Chapter 1003:


    They walked into the nearby café.


    A server approached their table, and Hailey spoke first, her demeanor poised and polished.


    “Twottes, please. One warm. Thank you.”


    Then, turning toward Sadie, Hailey ced a hand gently over her own midsection.


    The move was subtle, yet unmistakably assertive—a reminder of her status.


    With calcted sweetness, she added, “I hope it’s not an issue. My doctor warned me off anything chilled—baby’s orders.” Sadie found the disy nauseating.


    All she wanted now was to end this quickly and leave.


    Her voice shifted, precise and brisk.


    “Ms. Burgess, your custom order is nearingpletion. I’ve sent preliminary drafts to Mr. Noel, though I haven’t received final input.” She paused, retrieving her tablet from her purse.


    “Given this isn’t a scheduled appointment, I only brought the digital files.”


    With that, she opened the folder and handed over the device. Hailey flipped through the sketches, clearly unimpressed. Her frown deepened with each swipe.


    The pieces bore Noah’s signature aesthetic—stately and luxurious—butcked the soft, romantic nuance she’d envisioned.


    And above all, they weren’t what she wanted.


    She looked up with an exaggerated pout.


    “You’re supposed to be the prodigy of the decade, but this… feels off-brand, don’t you think? Tell me, Ms. Hudson—is this intentional? Some kind of personal slight?”


    L??t??τ ch?ɑρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?l??.?оm


    Sadie’s fingers curled beneath the table, though her expression remained impassive. Her reply was smooth, distant.


    “These drafts follow Mr. Noel’s directives to the letter. If the two of you have differing visions for the final design, I suggest the two of you align your expectations. I’ll adjust the design ordingly.”


    Hailey caught the veiled dismissal. She set the tablet aside and softened her demeanor.


    With a delicate sigh, she said, “Don’t get me wrong, Ms. Hudson. Noah and I are deeply invested in this celebration. Every detail matters—especially the jewelry. Naturally, we’re a little… meticulous. I hope you can appreciate that.”


    Just then, the drinks arrived—one warm, one frosted.


    Hailey took the one for herself, sipping with a dainty tilt of her wrist.


    She gave a nod of approval. “Not bad.”


    Then, she looked up, her smile reappearing like clockwork.


    “The iced ones here are fantastic, by the way. You really ought to try it, Ms. Hudson.”


    Sadie hesitated. Being in her first few weeks of pregnancy, she knew she absolutely couldn’t have anything iced. But a t-out rejection would just be the perfect excuse for Hailey to call her rude.


    .


    .


    .