Chapter 702

Chapter 702:
But now… Josie’s suggestion gave her pause. Stella thought it over seriously.
“For now… let’s keep it under wraps.”
After weighing her options, she decided mystery still worked in her favor. As long as her designs kept selling, her name didn’t need to be out there. Going public might raise her visibility—but it wouldn’t guarantee a jump in sales. To Stella, the perks of revealing her identity weren’t worth much.
These days, the market was flooded with new indie designers trying to stand out. Staying mysterious wasn’t a bad look—especially when the work spoke for itself.
Josie pressed her lips together. “So are you going to the party, then?”
If she didn’t go as the designer behind the brand, she’d have to show up as Sylvia Gilbert from the research institute. And she wasn’t sure a title like that would carry much weight at an event packed with the upper crust.
“I’ll go as your assistant, if that works for you.”
Josie stared at her. “My assistant?”
Technically speaking, it was the opposite—Josie was her assistant.
“Anyway, Amanda’s never met me. She won’t know the difference.”
All Stella wanted was to meet Amanda face-to-face. She wasn’t planning to drop the bomb about who she really was.
On the day of Amanda’s birthday bash, Stella slipped into a gown she had picked recently. Tiny rhinestones lined the hem, sparkling under the lights like stars trailing behind her with every step.
She met Josie at the banquet hall entrance. Josie gave her a once-over, eyebrows raised. “Stel, that dress is perfect on you. Shows just enough shoulder to turn heads.”
Stella offered a faint smile at the compliment and walked into the hall beside her.
She hadn’t even had a chance to look for Amanda before she noticed a few familiar faces—including Rutherford.
The moment Rutherford spotted her, his eyes lit up—clearly stunned, and maybe a little mesmerized by how radiant she looked.
“Ms. Gilbert?” he said, walking over. “You’re here for Amanda’s party too?”
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Rutherford had wanted to come with Stella, but she’d told him her hand wasn’t up for it. And yet, here she was at the party anyway.
The second she spotted Rutherford, everything clicked into place. “Mr. Schoenberg, is Amanda Ruiz your business partner?”
Rutherford nodded. “You know her?”
“My friend worked with her before. I’m just tagging along as her assistant.” Assistant? With Stella’s talent, she was playing second fiddle to someone else?
Rutherford was caught off guard, but he didn’t let it show. “How’s your hand?”
Stella looked a little embarrassed and lowered her voice. “Thanks for asking, Mr. Schoenberg. It’s getting better.”
His expression softened. “If you’re here to see Amanda, we could head over together.”
Stella froze, then glanced over at Josie, who raised a brow at her with a knowing look. Stella gave a quick shake of her head. “It’s all right, Mr. Schoenberg. My friend and I want to mingle a bit first.”
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