Chapter 5 " I believe she moved back to her old place , " Irving replied uncertainly . " I heard it from Ms. Mooney . " Then , thinking perhaps Kendrick didn't recognize the name , he added , " Ms. Mooney is a friend of Ms. Mendoza . " Kendrick lifted his gaze and shot him a cold look , as though the explanation were entirely unnecessary . Irving immediately closed his mouth . Silvana didn't reach out to Kendrick again - exactly as Christina had hoped . In the days that followed , she immersed herself in work , finally completing the client's draft . The client , still hoping to push for more , found Silvana's attitude had hardened . " I'm sorry , " Silvana said firmly , " but this is the final version . There's only so much I can deliver within the agreed budget . Any further revisions will cost extra . " Hearing that , her client immediately dropped the request and reluctantly paid the final balance . Still displeased , the client remarked sarcastically , " You may not be a famous designer , but you certainly charge like one . " Silvana wasn't offended . She patiently explained that this was how bespoke jewelry design was charged . However , the client still grumbled about the price and lingered in the studio a while longer to complain before finally leaving . Silvana and her friend , Felicia Kaiser , co - founded the studio . However , since Felicia's marriage and decision to focus on raising her child , she had taken a step back from the business , so Silvana had been taking care of 0.00 % 15:54 Chapter 5 the studio . That evening , Silvana attended a dinner gathering organized by a former client , Julianne Maxwell . She normally declined such events - socializing didn't come naturally to her - but Julianne had been so insistent that she felt she had no choice but to accept . As she stepped into the private room , her eyes fell on Christina . Their gazes met , and a faint , contemptuous smile instantly touched Christina's lips . " Júlianne , you invited her here ? " Julianne said , " Yes . Let me introduce you . This is Silvana , the incredibly talented jewelry designer who created my wedding set . Silvana , this is my cousin , Christina . " " Oh , that set , " Christina remarked . " I thought it looked familiar . " She pointed at Silvana in front of everyone . " You copied it from a major brand , didn't you ? The style is practically identical . " Silvana didn't want to have a conflict with Christina . Had she known Christina would be here , nothing could have persuaded her to come . This was her first time seeing Christina in person . " What ? That can't be right , " Julianne said , though uncertainty had already crept into her voice . " Silvana is well - regarded . She ... wouldn't do something like that . " Despite her words , the look she gave Silvana was now shadowed with doubt . Silvana clenched her fingers . " Mrs. Maxwell , I didn't plagiarize . I would never stoop so low . " Someone immediately pulled out their phone , scrolling through photos before whispering . 24.90 15.540 Chapter 5 " No wonder it looked familiar ... I've definitely seen something like it before . Christina is right . The designs are almost the same . " 288 Voucher " Anyone can call themselves a designer these days . Julianne , are you sure you weren't fooled ? Why would you trust someone like her ? She looks ... so unreliable . You should've stuck with a major brand - at least their reputation is guaranteed . " Every gaze turned toward Silvana , sharp and judgmental . They all believed Christina . Not a single person took Silvana's side . Silvana knew Christina was deliberately giving her a hard time by fabricating accusations . She said calmly , " If you believe I plagiarized , feel free to gather evidence or seek authentication from a professional institution . " Seeing no reason to remain , she turned to Julianne and said , " Mrs. Maxwell , I apologize that tonight took such an unpleasant turn . If you have doubts , you can always have the jewelry authenticated or pursue legal action . If there is any evidence proving that I plagiarized , I will accept full responsibility . But I will not admit to something I did not do . " I apologize once again for what happened here . Goodbye . " With that , she turned to leave . Christina caught up with her just around the corner . " Silvana , " she said sharply , " did I say you could leave ? " Silvana stopped and looked back coldly . " What do you want ? " Christina let out a dismissive laugh . " Is that your attitude? " " What do you mean ? " " Julianne paid a significant amount for that jewelry . Do you really think a simple apology is enough ? " 49.37 % 15.540 Chapter 5 ZAR ( Vouchers Silvana studied Christina closely . Her makeup was flawless , highlighting her striking features . Her hair was perfectly styled , her skin smooth and radiant . Every item she wore - from her clothes to her accessories - spoke of luxury , and she seemed to almost shimmer under the light . MAA In terms of appearance , Christina certainly possessed the kind of beauty that could captivate any man . But ... Suddenly , a soft chuckle escaped Silvana's lips . " Are you jealous of me ? " " Jealous ? Of what ? " Christina looked as though she had just heard the most absurd joke . " Otherwise , why did you slander me ? " Silvana pressed . " I didn't slander you , " Christina retorted , biting her lip . " I only stated the truth . You certainly have some nerve , still clinging to- " Kendrick ? " Silvana cut her off . " We're already divorced . I won't cling to him . " " Who knows what you're really thinking ? I'm warning you again - stay away from him ! " Christina's tone was sharp . Silvana had no interest in further explanation . She turned to leave , but Christina persisted , " Silvana , stop pretending you don't care . However reluctant you are , you need to let go . Kendrick will never be yours . " " I'm not reluctant . Believe it or not , now that the divorce is final , I won't cling to him . " A faint , dismissive laugh escaped Silvana's lips . " Ms. Walter , giving me a hard time is pointless . So are those photos and videos you keep sending me to prove how in love you two are . " 1.75.58 %