Vincent gave a firm nod, signaling his agreement.

Without Rolland’s interruptions, the two of them continued practicing for a while longer. Afterward, Vincent drove Katelyn back.

The moment Katelyn stepped through her front door, her phone buzzed with an incoming video call from Aimee.

Katelyn placed the phone on the table, propping it up casually. She then leaned back against the sofa, sinking into its cushions, and greeted, “Hi, Aimee.”

On the screen, Aimee’s studio came into view, cluttered with stacks of paperwork spread across her desk. The slight slump in her posture and the furrow in her brow betrayed her frustration.

“Girl, you’ve made it! Like, you’re really blowing up!”

Iris had always been a recognized name within the design community, her work admired by those with a keen eye for creativity. Occasionally, even someone outside that niche would stumble upon her creations and become an instant fan. After the last press conference, things had completely shifted. Each video about her skyrocketed in views, with nearly a hundred million people watching.

This overwhelming attention became the biggest boost to Katelyn’s growing fame, making her a household name. Now, it seemed like everyone knew who she was. Her popularity even outpaced some of the most well-known A-list stars. As Aimee spoke, she pulled out a towering stack of papers, her lips curling into a strained smile.

“These,” she said, gesturing to the pile, “are from companies that reached out in just the past three days. They all want to work with you, and there are at least a hundred offers here.” She let out a soft sigh. “I’ve turned down even more. Honestly, at this rate, you’re going to be tied up for at least the next ten years trying to get through all these.”

Katelyn hadn’t expected such a strong reaction to the press conference. Noticing Aimee’s tired expression, she offered a warm smile.

? ν?

“Thanks so much for handling all this for me, Aimee,” she said. “But I’ve recently made a deal with Vincent, and now I’m a contributing designer for the Adams Group. I think we should cut back on these orders from other companies.”

In the past, she had been a freelance designer, enjoying the freedom to choose any business partner she wanted without limitations.

Now, as a contracted designer for the Adams Group, Katelyn felt the weight of her responsibilities. Her schedule was packed, and managing so many orders was becoming overwhelming. Aimee’s expression shifted to one of sudden concern.

“Oh, I almost forgot something important,” she said, her voice quickening. “Neil called me today, pressing us to finalize our deal with him right away. At first, I thought he was being unreasonable and gave him a piece of my mind. It was only later that I realized you’d already made an agreement. Whenever you have the chance, let’s visit the Wheeler Group and sign the contract with him.”

Katelyn relaxed into the sofa, making herself comfortable, and spoke slowly. “There’s no need to rush. I’d like to see what Lise can come up with first.”

Aimee nodded in understanding. “We’ll schedule everything based on your timing then. The contract is all set, so we can sign it whenever you’re ready.”

Katelyn smiled and gave a thumbs-up. “Thanks, Aimee.”

Aimee sighed deeply. “Life sure can be tough.”

Meanwhile, at her own home, Lise examined the bruise on her knee with a mix of frustration and rage. She gingerly applied medicine to the swollen spot, her anger boiling over.

She muttered bitterly, “Katelyn, I’m not letting this go. You’re going to pay for this.”

Her words were filled with deep-seated bitterness. Without her usual calm demeanor, her expression was dark and menacing, revealing the full extent of her anger.

At that moment, a loud, urgent knock sounded at the door.

The banging was so intense that it felt as though the door might break.

Annoyed by the racket, Lise gritted her teeth and shouted, “Who’s knocking? Stop it!”

The knocking stopped for a moment, but then started up again, even more aggressively.

Furious, Lise dragged her sore leg to the door, her face twisted with irritation.

This time, Lise took precautions. Instead of opening the door immediately, she glanced through the peephole. An elegant woman stood on the other side, someone Lise had never seen before. N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on f?ndnovel.net

With a cautious tone, Lise asked, “Who’s there?”

The woman outside casually smoothed her hair and offered a relaxed smile.

“Miss Bailey? Could you open the door, please? I’d like to speak with you in person. Don’t worry. I’m not here to cause any trouble.”

Lise hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering across her face. Then, cautiously, she unlocked the door.

But the second she cracked it open, two men—who had been hidden just out of sight—lunged forward, grabbing her arms before she had a chance to react.

.

.

.