"Understood," Nora 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 ced the documents into her locker without a second thought.


    Her prioritiesy 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, Nora drove to work, her thoughts already upied with her schedule for the day. As


    she neared the building where STARLINE Studio was 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.


    Nora''s brows knitted together.


    What is he doing here this early in the morning?


    If she recalled correctly, STARLINE Studio had no scheduled meetings with Cole today.


    As she pondered this, Cole spotted her car. Without hesitation, he stepped out and walked toward her.


    Nora exhaled, bracing herself as she rolled down her window. "Cole," she greeted. "Did youe here 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. Cotton


    Nora 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.


    Nora 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 theye from you?"


    Nora''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 borately 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 ne was eventually auctioned off for over a hundred million dors, making STARLINE Studio, then a newpany, famous.


    If his spection was correct...


    If this guess turned out to be true...


    Then Nora 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 an.. her desperate attempts to w her way to the top-couldn''t evene close to touching.


    ion,


    And yet, all these years, Nora had remained in the shadows, letting others bask in


    the studio''s glory while she quietly built its foundation.


    1007


    After I left. Alpha father and son went craz?


    Chiyay 11


    People praised STA2013). Sendler''s techonlogy, attributing its sess to Led.


    But the truth was dear now


    The one who was truly extraordinary was Nora,


    A long, silence stretched between them. Cole waited, watching her closely. Then,


    atst, the exhaled softly and gave a slow nod


    Confirmation.


    Even though he had already guessed it, hearing it from her own lips sent a ripple through hisposure. His pulse thrummed in his ears, and he found himself reevaluating everything he had thought he knew


    about her.


    Who was Nora, 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."


    Nora 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, Nora had to pick up a coborator at the airport.


    She tried her best to cheer up as her client''s ne arrived at the airport. Just as


    she was about to walk up to greet the guest, she saw a familiar figure appear behind the coborator.


    A familiar energy that made the air feel heavier, sharper.


    Nora''s lips parted slightly, her body going still.


    Then, slowly, she lifted her gaze and met Arnold''s dark, unreadable eyes.


    After I left Alpha father and son went craz


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