As soon as Courtney and Veronica left, the front desk receptionist immediately dialed their internal line.


    “Notify Mr. Graham that the people from Novara are gone.‘


    That day marked the official signing of the contract between Windswept Atelier and Graham Group. As a precaution, the front, desk had been instructed to tell anyone who asked that Keith was in Shalton for a ribbon–cutting ceremony. If anyone from Novaro showed up, they were


    to be stalled no matter what.


    After the call, the front desk receptionist stared at the retreating figures of the two women. She shook her head inwardly.


    She wished them all the best, especially after they’d tried to climb the ranks in this industry by offending someone like Eleanor–a walking treasure trove of fashion connections.


    In the parking lot, Courtney and Veronica had not yet driven off.


    “That car up front is the one Mr. Graham always drives. If he’s genuinely not at the office, the car should be at home or the airport,” Courtney exined as she held the steering wheel. She was responding to Veronica’s confused look.


    “It looks like our timing was spot on. Today is probably the day they’re signing with Windswept Atelier.”


    Courtney had spent years in the industry, and experience had sharpened her instincts. She could size up a situation in a matter of seconds. She thought over what had happened and pieced things together with ease.


    Catching the disappointed look on Veronica’s face, she offered a few words offort. “It’s alright. There are always more solutions than problems. Pulling in a few investors isn’t that big of a deal.”


    Veronica had only just returned. She could not afford to let her lose confidence so soon.


    “Courtney,” Veronica said, pulling gently at her arm. “This might not be a dead end yet. I went to Heberly yesterday, and their director told me that their headquarters ns to expand into fashion in the next quarter. They’ll be looking for outside coborators. Why don’t we take a gamble on this?”


    She didn’t have the chance to bring it up before Graham Group’s sudden betrayal, but maybe fate had stepped in after all.


    Courtney’s eyes lit up. “Let’s do it!”


    2/3 10


    The two of them did not linger in front of the cold and deserted Graham Group any longer.


    “It’s in the middle of nowhere. As if anyone would want to hang around here,” Courtney muttered while reversing out of the parking lot.


    Veronica held back augh.


    On the drive back, the two chatted idly. Courtney mentioned that there was a well–known shrine tucked away in the nearby mountains, said to be strongly blessed by the mountain spirits.


    That instantly brought a face to Veronica’s mind—Ashton, the one who always seemed to shoulder the me for her.


    She asked, “Could you drop me off there? I want to pray for something.”


    Courtney asked instinctively, “For the twins?”


    Veronica shook her head. “No. Back when I was in the hospital, someone took a knife for me. I want to pray for his safety.”


    Courtney stared at her in shock. “Who was it? What happened?”


    Veronica briefly told her the whole story.


    “What a worthless bastard Heath is! One day, someone ought to break that fucker’s legs!” Courtney snapped, unable to keep herself from cursing.


    Veronica adjusted her seatbelt, which had begun to feel a little too tight.


    Now, she could talk about it without flinching. The pain no longer cut her deep. She even found herself hoping that those two would stay shackled to each other forever.


    The sooner they did that, the sooner she could finalize the divorce and put the whole mess


    behind her.


    Courtney dropped Veronica off at the shrine. Thetter knew that Courtney had nster with family, so she told her not to wait.


    She entered the shrine alone and prayed for a lucky charm.


    The triangr charm was made from a fine navy linen, with a soft scent clinging to its threads. It was more delicately made than she had expected, and she hoped that Ashton would


    ept it.


    Veronica stepped out of the shrine. The west exit was just beyond the door.


    Few visitors took that path, so it was quieter. She descended the mountain, preferring the solitude as she went.


    Just as she reached thest step, she almost collided with three people who were heading up. The trio seemed to spot Veronica seconds before he had noticed them.


    They stopped in their tracks.


    Heath and Eleanor stood on either side of Miriam, each holding the girl’s hands. All three were dressed in white. At first nce, they appeared to be a perfect family.


    Veronica instantly averted her gaze, pretending not to know them.