Chapter 27 " A what now ?" My brain did a double take and tripped over its own feet . ] ] Savannah's e grin widened . That necklace you designed ? The one Eliza Black wore on the red carpet last week ? It blew up . Press coverage , socials , even one of those trashy gossip TikToks . Nyx Collective finally went viral , and it's thanks to you . ' [ ] Huh . I relaxed . So I wasn't getting fired today . " So here's the deal ," she added breezily Ten grand . It'll be in your account by the end of the day . I nearly hugged her . Nearly. But I settled for a deeply heartfelt thank you and a facial expression that screamed I suddenly believe in capitalism again . ] Back at my desk - yes , freelancers дог cubicles too at Nyx Collective , mostly for the aesthetic - I dropped into my chair and tried to act casual . Which was difficult , because my inner monologue was doing the cha - cha to the sound of incoming funds Clearly , word had already spread , because no sooner had I logged in than someone from the next desk leaned over and whispered , I'm so jealous . Ten thousand in one go ? I'd sell a kidney for that kind of payday . " I mean , the studio's basically mainstream now ," another designer piped up . " We've all got a shot at a viral moment . " [] the mirror when you're trying not to look smug but still want people to I gave them a modest little smile , the kind you practise in the know you're successful . We were having a perfectly nice moment - bit of a gossip sesh , bit of humblebragging about my bonus - when a voice behind me sliced through the air like a rusty nail file . " She just got lucky , that's all . Eliza Black could've picked anything . Total fluke . I looked up and to the left , already bracing myself . And there she was . Violet Lin . Designer , full - time drama queen , and my not - so - secret workplace nemesis . If I was the shiny new MacBook Air , she was the Dell laptop that kept overheating but swore she was just as good , actually " Violet had been trying to outdo me since the day I walked into Nyx Collective with a sketchbook . She'd decided I was the obstacle between her and the sparkly throne of Top Designer, and she'd been waging a war ever since . [ ] The second the opened her mouth , the whole room fell quieter than a group chat after someone types ' I need to vent . Everyone knew Violet and I didn't mix . ] ] strutted past me , all clacking stilettos and cloying perfume [ ] sestly , did any of you see the trending threads ? People online are saying Nyx Collective stuff looks cheap now . One necklace , and . the brand goes from boutique elegance to bargain bin Barbie the tossed ået hair like a shampoo model || Right on rur , one of her usual background extras piped up with a helpful echo : Totally . They're roasting Eliza , but really they're dragging the necklace Ah , the classic tag tram shade . Subtie as a sledgehammer ⠀⠀ and my pen down and turned , meeting her eyes dead on ! ] " Most of the reviews are singing her praises , darling . People are calling Eliza's necklace a masterpiece . So where exactly is this imaginary " Toast " you're talking about ? Or wait , don't tell me . You're either snacking on troll crumbs for breakfast or you genuinely think cubic zirconia is the pinnacle of design . Which is it ? Be honest , we won't judge - out loud ' || The silence was instant . Delicious . [ ] I glanced in the direction of Savannah's office . " Maybe I should ask Vanna if we've got overstaffing issues . Sounds like someone's got way too much free time and WiFi . ] ] Everyone suddenly discovered their laptops were fascinating and started typing like their lives depended on it . After all , I'd just landed a fat bonus and was firmly in Savannah's good hooks . No one with half a brain wanted heef with the boss's current golden girl [ ] But Violet Lin wasn't wired like the rest of us . " Some people really think they're something just because they got ten grand . I mean , only people who are seriously broke would act like it's a big deal 1 let out a laugh . ' Sure , some people might turn their noses up at ten grand .. but then again , their designs aren't even worth ten bucks . It's kind of tragic when you think about it , spending your whole life sketching crap no celebrity would be caught dead in . And if my necklace lowered the brand's image " , then someone's didn't even make it onto the radar . Someone behind me snorted hard enough to nearly choke on her iced matcha . Violet turned the same shade as her lipstick and slammed her coffee cup down . ' Excuse me ? Are you saying my designs have no class ? Just because your little necklace ended up on Eliza Black's neck ? Please . Like I even rate her . I shrugged . I didn't mention any names . Funny how you brought yourself up , though . Bit of a self - drag , no ? That shut her up real fast . [ ] The office blessedly dipped into sweet , glorious silence . For a total of … what ? Ninety seconds , maybe . ] Then she was at it again , flapping her gums with the girl next to her like we were on a break in Year 9 homeroom . " Did you hear ? she said , loud enough to rattle the windows . The Laurent family's throwing a gala . Word is , the heir himself is making public appearance . Only the most influential people in Skyline are invited And guess who just got an invitation ? The moment she dropped the I - word , everyone | perked up like meerkats at feeding time . I swear , one of the interns nearly dislocated . a neck trying to lean closer Because yeah , the Laurent family basically runs the city . Skyline's economic puppeteers . And their heir had never been seen in public Zero photos . Just rumours and a PR team tighter than a nun's wardrobe . [ ] Apparently , getting an invite to this gala was harder than getting Taylor Swift tickets during presale . People were shelling out stupid . money or calling in favours like it was their final wish on a deathbed . Visdet tilted her champ , beaming as people gathered around her like she was royalty [ ] e people , she drawled , flicking a look in my direction , could design the Mona Lisa out of thinestones and still die broke . They'll Deser get a Laurent invite tre tragic , really the even threw in a couple of pity clucks , like a gossiping aunt at a family reunion . Subtlety was not her strong st [ ] I did even duk Kept right on sketching Then my phone dinged Yvaine had sent a photo of a dress and a message : [ ] [ Picked out the shiniest , sexiest dress ever . You're gonna slay that party . Make Rhys Granger eat his heart out . MWAH !!! ]