Chapter 6
Emma stood before the bathroom mirror, tying her chestnut-brown hair into a low ponytail as she smiled at her reflection, and for the first time in years, she saw Emma Carter instead of Mrs. Hayes.
Her phone rang just as she grabbed her handbag, and Olivia’s cheerful voice greeted her, “Morning, Emma, I hope you’re ready because everyone’s excited to meet our new lead designer.”
Emma laughed softly.
“I’ll try not to disappoint you.”
“Too late,” Olivia teased. “I’ve already told everyone you’re amazing.”
Half an hour later, Emma stepped into Luna Interior Design Studio, where Olivia welcomed her with a warm hug before leading her through the bright office filled with designers, architects, and project managers.
“It’s good to have you here,” Olivia said with a smile. “Don’t worry about today because nobody expects miracles.”
Emma looked around the busy studio before grinning.
“They probably should.”
Olivia laughed.
“I like your confidence.”
As they walked through the office, one young designer hesitated before asking, “You’re… Emma Carter?”
Emma nodded.
“That’s right.”
“I thought you’d still be Emma Hayes.”
Emma smiled without bitterness.
“I almost forgot Emma Carter too.”
The awkwardness disappeared, and several people welcomed her warmly before Olivia guided her into a conference room where a luxury hotel model sat in the center of the table.
“We’ve been stuck on this project for weeks,” Olivia admitted while handing Emma a tablet. “Something feels wrong, but none of us can figure it out.”
Emma quietly circled the model before moving a decorative tree, shifting a wall slightly, and adjusting the lighting plan.
Olivia blinked.
“You’ve been looking at it for less than two minutes.”
Emma smiled.
“I know what’s missing.”
Everyone leaned closer.
“The entrance looks expensive,” she explained, “but it doesn’t feel welcoming because guests will admire it instead of wanting to stay.”
An architect frowned thoughtfully.
“So what would you change?”
Emma picked up a pencil and sketched a few quick lines.
“Bring in more natural light, soften the materials, move the lounge closer to the windows, and connect the reception to the garden because luxury shouldn’t intimidate people.”
She smiled gently.
“It should make them feel important.”
The room fell silent before one designer let out a low whistle.
“Damn… that’s brilliant.”
Olivia couldn’t hide her excitement.
“I knew hiring you was the right decision.”
Emma smiled, feeling genuine pride for the first time in years, not because people admired her, but because she was finally doing what she loved again.
As everyone gathered their notes, Olivia handed Emma a sleek black folder.
“Our biggest client wants one final review from E.C. before construction begins.”
Emma’s fingers paused for the briefest moment.
“I see.”
Olivia sighed dramatically.
“If only anyone knew who E.C. really is because every billionaire in the country is trying to hire that mysterious designer.”
Emma hid a small smile.
“They sound very popular.”
“You have no idea,” Olivia laughed. “Companies are offering millions just for a meeting, but nobody has ever seen E.C.’s face.”
Emma quietly closed the folder as the almost invisible initials embossed inside the leather caught the light.
E.C.
Emma left the conference room with the black folder tucked beneath her arm, and although she looked calm, she couldn’t hide the excitement of finally returning to the career she had once abandoned.
Olivia caught up beside her with two cups of coffee and smiled warmly.
“You’ve only been here a few hours, and everyone’s already talking about you.”
Emma accepted the cup with a laugh.
“I hope that’s a good thing.”
“It is,” Olivia replied. “You’re the kind of talented that makes people rethink everything.”
Emma lowered her eyes, quietly realizing she had almost forgotten what it felt like to be appreciated for something other than being Mrs. Hayes.
Across the city, Alexander walked into Hayes Group’s executive boardroom, where a presentation was already waiting on the giant screen.
“Our flagship luxury hotel needs a world-class designer,” the marketing director announced before revealing two large silver letters.
E.C.
Alexander frowned.
“I’ve seen those initials before.”
The project director nodded eagerly.
“E.C. is the country’s most sought-after interior designer, and nearly every award-winning luxury project over the last five years has been designed by this person.”
Alexander flipped through the report.
“No photos?”
“No.”
“No interviews?”
“No.”
“No one knows who E.C. really is.”
Alexander leaned back.
“So we’re chasing a ghost.”
“A very expensive ghost,” someone joked, earning a few nervous laughs.
Alexander didn’t smile.
“Find them.”
The room immediately fell silent.
“We’ve already contacted E.C.’s agency,” another executive admitted. “They rejected us.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed.
“They rejected Hayes Group?”
“They said E.C. isn’t accepting new projects.”
Alexander closed the file.
“Increase the offer.”
“We already doubled it.”
“Then triple it.”
The finance director hesitated.
“Sir… that’s several million dollars.”
Alexander’s answer never changed.
“Spend it.”
No one argued.
Meanwhile, Emma returned to her desk, waited until the office quieted down, then opened the hidden compartment inside the black folder and picked up a second phone that only a handful of people knew existed.
The screen displayed one incoming call.
Agency.
Emma answered calmly.
“This is E.C.”
A familiar voice greeted her.
“We’ve received another proposal.”
“Which company?”
“Hayes Group.”
Emma’s fingers paused.
“They’re offering several million dollars just for one meeting.”
She looked out the office window before replying without hesitation.
“Decline it.”
“They’ve already asked three times.”
“My answer hasn’t changed.”
After ending the call, Emma quietly locked the second phone back inside the folder before returning to work as if nothing had happened, and no one around her suspected that the mysterious designer every billionaire desperately wanted was sitting only a few feet away.
Later that afternoon, Alexander approved an official company announcement, and within minutes every major business website carried the same headline:
Hayes Group Announces a Multi-Million Dollar Search for the Legendary Designer Known Only as E.C.
Alexander stared at the news on his screen before murmuring quietly to himself, “I don’t care who you are…” His eyes hardened with determination. “I’ll find you.”