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I bit my tongue, aware of the Sterling family watching me from the dining room. “I’ll handle it,” I said tersely before ending the call.
Bianca’s smile froze. “How… fortunate.
“I need to take this,” he said, squeezing my hand before stepping away to answer the
call.
“Hazel,” Eleanor’s shrill voice came through. “I need you to arrange for Ethan’s tuition payment this week instead of next month. The school is being unreasonable.”
“Pushing boundaries can be risky in fashion,” Bianca commented. “The classics endure for a reason.”
Left alone with Bianca and the elder Sterlings, I maintained my composure despite feeling like a gazelle surrounded by lions. Bianca kept shooting me calculating glances, clearly thinking she had the upper hand in this environment.
“I try to honor traditional craftsmanship while pushing boundaries,” I explained, grateful for Damien’s support.
“Well,” Mrs. Sterling finally said, “it sounds like quite an achievement.”
The implication was clear–my show would be overshadowed by bigger names.
My heart sank. Lunch with the entire Sterling clan and my university nemesis? This day was getting better by the minute.
When Damien returned, his face was set in what I now recognized as his executive expression. “We’ll be dining at the main house,” he announced. “Father will be joining us. And,” he added with a pointed look at his grandfather, “Bianca will be staying as well.”
“Damien,” I whispered urgently, “I don’t want to cause problems between you and your family. They clearly think Bianca is more suitable-”
Her intervention surprised me–and from Bianca’s expression, her as well.
“But we’ve barely finished our conversation,” Bianca protested. “And your mother was about to show us the new garden installation.”
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“Well said,” Mr. Sterling Sr. remarked, studying me with renewed interest.
My phone buzzed in my purse, and I excused myself to check it, seeing Eleanors name on the screen. I stepped away from the table to answer.
As we walked toward the main house, I tugged Damien aside. “What’s going on? Your father suddenly appears, and Bianca’s invited to stay? This feels like an ambush.”
When I returned, conversation had moved to the living room. Bianca was regaling the group with stories from her recent fashion show in Milan.
“Hazel has an exceptional eye for design herself,” Damien interjected, his hand finding mine under the table. “Her new collection beautifully integrates modern aesthetics with classical influences”
“I’m sure it’s delicious,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m just savoring each bite.”
“Thank you,” I said gratefully. “That’s very kind.”
“I actually toured it last
month.” Bianca continued. “The detail in the restoration is remarkable. You have such an eye for preserving historical integrity.”
“Plans change,” she snapped. “You can’t expect me to explain to Ethan why he can’t continue his education because his sister is being difficult.”
His eyes softened as he looked at me. “It doesn’t matter what they want. I’ve made my choice, Hazel.”
Damien’s jaw tightened. “My father rarely involves himself in these matters, but when he does…”
Before I could respond, we arrived at the main house where we were greeted by Damien’s father–a distinguished–looking man with the same commanding presence as his son but with silver streaking his dark hair.
“Hazel,” Bianca said after a few bites, “you’ve barely touched your crab soufflé. It’s Mrs. Sterling’s specialty–don’t you like seafood?”
“Actually,” Mrs. Sterling suddenly interrupted, “Hazel, I just remembered Damien mentioned you have a seafood sensitivity. How thoughtless of me. Let me have the kitchen prepare something else for you immediately.”
“Stop,” he said firmly, placing his hands on my shoulders. “You are not a problem.
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You’re the solution I’ve been looking for my entire life.”
“Your family is trying to set you up with her, aren’t they?” I blurted out.
Mrs. Sterling beamed. “How thoughtful of you to notice, Bianca. We’ve been working tirelessly on the Westbridge property.”
The tension from our encounter with Bianca and Grandfather Sterling still lingered in the air as Damien’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting to all business.
As we walked away, I whispered urgently, “Are we just leaving like this?”
“Another time,” Damien replied dismissively, already guiding me toward the door. “Father, Grandfather, Mother–thank you for lunch.”
“Is that so?” Mrs. Sterling asked, turning to me with polite interest that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Lunch was served in a magnificent dining room that could have hosted a state dinner. I found myself seated between Damien and his mother, with Bianca directly across from me–a placement that couldn’t have been accidental.
“Speaking of fashion weeks,” she said as I entered, “I hear your show is scheduled for next month, Hazel. Such a busy time, with so many competing events. Will showing at the main venue?”
you
be
When the main course arrived–an elaborate seafood dish–Bianca delicately picked up her fork and began eating with practiced refinement. I hesitated, faced with multiple forks and no idea which was correct.
The room fell silent at Damien’s passionate defense. His mother looked uncomfortable, while his father and grandfather exchanged meaningful glances.
Damien’s only response was a firm squeeze of my hand as he led me away from his family and the perfectly poised Bianca Sinclair, leaving me wondering what had prompted this newfound boldness from the usually diplomatic Damien Sterling.
Damien stood abruptly, reaching for my hand. “If you’ll excuse us, Hazel and I have some matters to discuss before her business trip tomorrow.”
Damien casually picked up a specific fork and began eating, subtly showing me which one to use. I followed his lead, but not before noticing Bianca’s satisfied smirk.
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“Hazel’s show is actually the featured closing event,” Damien announced loudly, causing his mother to nearly spill her tea. “Her innovative approach caught the attention of the selection committee. They specifically moved several other designers to accommodate her schedule.”
“Mrs. Sterling,” Bianca said sweetly as the first course arrived, “I was just telling my mother about the wonderful restoration work you’re doing with the historical society. Your dedication is truly inspirational.”
I sipped my water, painfully aware that I knew nothing about Mrs. Sterling’s restoration projects. Score one for Bianca.
I closed my eyes, trying to maintain my composure. “Eleanor, we agreed on a schedule
“Mr. Sterling,” I replied, keeping my voice steady despite my nerves.
All eyes turned to my barely touched plate.
“Innovation always involves risk,” I countered. “But that’s where growth happens.” “Not fortune,” Damien continued firmly. “Talent and hard work. The same qualities that have made her one of the fastest–rising designers in the industry despite significant obstacles.”
Chapter 152 – The Sterling Gauntlet: Rivalry, Family Pressure, and Damien’s Bold Stand
“Miss Ashworth,” he acknowledged with a nod that revealed nothing of his thoughts about me.
Mrs. Sterling watched me, clearly waiting for me to take another bite. I speared a piece of crab and brought it to my lips, praying I wouldn’t have an allergic reaction. I’d mentioned my mild shellfish allergy to Damien once, but he’d clearly forgotten in the stress of the moment.
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