Chapter 24 Soul?
Selena's POV
My clients only care about whether the jewelry is big enough, shiny enough, expensive enough.
"Soul comes from story. Every stone, mined from deep within the earth, carries billions of years of history. It already has a story. A designer's job is to listen to that story, then find the perfect way to tell it to the world."
When I finished, I realized I'd just rambled on to this insufferable man.
And he was looking at me with an intensity I'd never seen before.
"I understand." He nodded, then pushed the blue diamond toward me, along with an equally valuable emerald beside it.
"Design a pair of cufflinks for me with these." He said, "No budget limit. No deadline. I just have one question."
"What?"
He stepped forward, leaning down slightly, his lips near my ear.
He smelled of cedar and tobacco. Pleasant, but invasive.
"Is 'Astraea' just one of your names?"
He straightened up and watched my eyes turn cold. But instead of backing off, his smile only deepened.
"But I'm not interested in your name. I just want to know if you were the one who shredded all those strategic proposals at the banquet that night."
I felt my heart skip a beat.
How did he know?
My mind raced, but my face stayed frozen in calm detachment.
I couldn't confirm it. I couldn't deny it either. Any strong reaction would be read as guilt.
He watched me like a hunter waiting out his prey.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
I took a step back, putting a safe distance between us.
"I'm just a jewelry designer. If you're not interested in my work and only want to dig into my personal life, then we're done here."
His smile grew wider.
"No, I'm very interested." He said, "I'm very interested in all of your 'work.'"
Bastard.
He was playing word games.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was Ethan.
I grabbed it like a lifeline and answered without even checking the screen.
"What is it?" My voice was rushed.
"Can't I call you for no reason? Sis? Dinner's ready. Mom and Dad sent me to get you. Stop rotting away in your studio."
"Got it. Be right there."
I hung up and turned to leave without giving Royce another glance.
"As you can see, I have an urgent matter to attend to. I'll have Anna send you the cufflink designs." I said without looking back. "As for your pointless questions, I'm not interested in answering them."
I could feel his gaze burning into my back, but I didn't slow down.
I needed to get out of here. Now.
This man was dangerous.
He wasn't an idiot like Myrdal, or a greedy fool like those Kateson people.
He was a real predator. Once he sank his teeth in, there was no escape.
Royce's POV
Coming home felt like hell.
I hated this house. Grand, empty, like a gilded cage.
Every corner was filled with rules and expectations.
The moment I stepped into the hall, I saw my grandmother, Margaret Sterling, sitting on the living room sofa, holding a cup of tea, poised like a classical portrait.
"Royce." She spoke.
I loosened my tie and tossed my coat to the butler beside me.
"Grandmother."
"Sit." She pointed to the sofa across from her.
I walked over, sat down, crossed my legs, and put on my most bored expression.
I knew what was coming.
"Your fiancée, that girl named Selena Hart," she set down her teacup, her blue eyes fixed on me, "I've heard some... interesting things."
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"
"Such as the Kateson engagement party turning into a disaster. Such as you, my dear grandson, nearly draining the family's liquid assets at an auction for some mysterious designer. As for your actual fiancée, I've heard nothing. She's like a ghost. Tell me, Royce, what exactly are you doing?"
My jaw tightened.
My grandmother, the true power behind the Sterling family, had an intelligence network that put the CIA to shame.
"The marriage is proceeding as planned." I answered coldly. "You don't need to worry."
"I'm not worried about the marriage. I'm worried about you. You know nothing about this girl, do you? The Harts... they're not to be underestimated. I need to know what kind of person our future family member really is."
The image flashed through my mind. The woman in that tacky floral dress, with clown makeup on her face.
A shallow, gold-digging fool with nothing but money on her mind.
How was I supposed to explain that?
That my fiancée was an embarrassment?
"She..." I hesitated.
"Don't tell me she's busy. You're Royce Sterling. You can't even handle your own fiancée? Or is she simply not fit to be seen?"
That stung.
"Fine. This Saturday, I'll bring her to the family dinner. Then you can see for yourself what kind of person she is."
I didn't look at her again. I headed straight upstairs.
I needed answers.
I needed to know what game that damn woman was playing.
Selena's POV
The unknown number called while I was in my studio, refining the cufflink design.
"Hello?"
"Selena Hart." A low, cold voice came through the phone. "This is Royce Sterling."
My hand holding the pen froze.
That bastard. He finally called.
I could practically picture his impatient face right now.
I cleared my throat and immediately switched to a syrupy, overly excited tone.
"Oh! Mr. Sterling! Oh my God, you finally called me! I thought you'd forgotten all about me!" I pitched my voice higher, making myself sound like a brainless fangirl. "Are you calling to discuss wedding details? I have to tell you, I already found a yacht. White, absolutely gorgeous. It'll match my wedding dress perfectly..."
Silence on the other end. I could hear him suppressing his irritation with every breath.
"My grandmother wants to meet you." He finally spoke, his voice squeezed through clenched teeth. "This Saturday. Family dinner."
That wasn't a request. It was an order.
Grandmother? Interesting.
The Sterling family matriarch wanted to inspect me personally?