Chapter 4

Three months later, Bonnie stood in front of the mirror, checking herself out.

Her skin had gotten a bit darker from the sun, but she looked so much healthier now.

The hollowness in her cheeks was gone, replaced by a healthy glow, and her eyes were bright and lively.

Dressed in a plain white shirt and black slacks, with her hair pulled back into a ponytail, she looked neat and full of energy.

Her colleague called from outside the door, "Bonnie, are you ready? Professor Hodgson wants you to come to the jewelry show with him."

"Coming!" she replied.

She grabbed her bag and hurried out.

Over the past three months, Bonnie had soaked up knowledge like a sponge, making rapid progress.

Lovell had already let her take on some simple design tasks. Even though she was still an assistant, it was a huge step up from when she was stuck doing odd jobs all day.

The jewelry show was the biggest event of the year in the country, bringing together all the top brands and designers.

Bonnie followed Lovell into the venue, her heart pounding. It had been three years since she'd been to an event like this. She was a bit nervous.

Lovell said, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat, "Relax. Today's all about learning, not competing."

Bonnie nodded and took a deep breath.

The venue was dazzling, filled with wealthy ladies in designer gowns and sharp-suited elites.

Bonnie trailed behind Lovell, hanging on every word as he chatted with others, jotting down notes whenever something caught her attention.

"Professor Hodgson, long time no see." A low, cold voice suddenly interrupted.

Bonnie froze.

She slowly looked up, her heart skipping a beat. Alfred was standing right there.

He wore a sleek black suit and a deep blue tie, exuding an air of cold authority and effortless elegance.

Standing beside him was Violet, dressed in a champagne-colored gown, her arm looped through his. They looked like they were made for each other.

"Mr. Carr," Lovell nodded in greeting, his tone cool and even.

Alfred's eyes fell on Bonnie for a moment, then slid away.

It was as if she were nothing but a stranger to him.

Bonnie lowered her head, clutching her notebook tightly.

"Who is this?" Violet feigned surprise as she looked at Bonnie. "Oh my, Bonnie, what brings you here?"

Violet made sure her voice was loud enough for everyone around to catch it.

In an instant, all eyes turned to Bonnie.

"Who's she?" someone whispered.

"Isn't that Mr. Carr's ex-wife?" another person murmured.

"Isn't she the true Binder heiress who got thrown out of the house?" someone whispered.

"I heard she ended up as a cleaner after the divorce. How did she manage to sneak into an event like this?" another person murmured.

The whispers reached Bonnie's ears, and her face went pale, but she straightened her back, refusing to let them see her flinch.

Alfred said coolly, "Violet, don't talk nonsense. Miss Binder is Professor Hodgson's assistant now. She earned her way in."

His words sounded like he was coming to her rescue, but Bonnie could hear the distance in his voice.

He called her Miss Binder.

It was such a formal title.

Three months ago, she was still Mrs. Carr. Now, she was Miss Binder.

Violet said, her smile full of meaning, "So that's how it is.

"Bonnie, honestly, Alfred gave you such a cushy job, but you insisted on being an assistant.

"Professor Hodgson is well-known, but an assistant is still an assistant. Doesn't exactly sound glamorous, does it?"

Lovell's expression turned icy. "Miss Binder, my assistant doesn't need your approval."

Violet's expression darkened, but with Lovell's status, she didn't dare say another word.

Alfred said coolly, fixing his gaze on Bonnie, "Sorry, Professor Hodgson, Violet's being thoughtless. Miss Binder, long time no see."

Bonnie looked up, meeting his eyes.

His eyes were still as deep and cold as ever, giving nothing away. It was like those three years they'd spent together had never even happened.

Bonnie said, her voice steady, "Mr. Carr, long time no see. Hope you and Miss Binder stay blissfully happy forever."

Alfred's brows drew together.

He didn't like her attitude. She was so calm, so distant, as if he were nothing but a stranger to her.

He felt that she should be looking at him the way she used to, with those hopeful, cautious eyes. Not like this, emotionless and indifferent, as if nothing could touch her.

Violet said, tightening her grip on Alfred's arm, "Bonnie, why would you say that?

"It almost sounds like we're picking on you. Alfred and I really do care about you. Look at you. You look so much thinner..."

Bonnie cut her off, "Violet, you don't have to put on a show for me. There are no reporters here and no audience. Aren't you tired of pretending?"

Violet was caught off guard.

"You..." she stammered.

Bonnie said with a faint smile, "I know exactly what you're trying to say.

"You want everyone to see how much Alfred adores you, how happy you are, and how miserable I look. You want to show off how badly the ex-Mrs. Carr has fallen."

Bonnie said, straightening her back, her eyes clear and steady, "But hate to break it to you. I'm actually doing great.

"I have my own job, my own life, and the guts to start over. I don't need Alfred's charity, and I sure as hell don't need your pity."

"Bonnie." Violet's face turned livid. "Don't get cocky!"

Alfred said, his tone flat, "Violet, that's enough."

He looked at Bonnie, a flicker of complicated emotion passing through his eyes.

After three months apart, she had changed a lot.

She was no longer that timid, cautious woman. There was a light in her eyes now. He'd never seen it before.

That change filled him with an inexplicable irritation.

Alfred said, his voice low and cool, "Miss Binder, if you need anything, you know where to find me."

Bonnie replied without a second thought, "I don't need your help. Mr. Carr, we're divorced. What I do has nothing to do with you."

She turned to Lovell, giving him a quick nod. "Professor, I'll go check out the exhibits over there."

Without another glance, she strode away, her back straight and her steps firm.

Alfred watched her leave, his brows tightly knit.

"Alfred." Violet tugged at his sleeve. "What's wrong?"

Alfred said, tearing his gaze away, "Nothing. Let's go check out the necklaces."

"Okay!" Violet chirped, her voice bright and cheerful.

She linked her arm through his and led him toward the Cartier booth.

But she didn't notice that Alfred's eyes kept drifting back to the figure that had vanished into the crowd.

Bonnie took refuge in the restroom, shaking all over.

It wasn't fear. It was pure anger.

She thought she'd let it all go, but seeing Alfred and Violet standing side by side, watching him let Violet have her way, she couldn't stop herself from getting angry all over again.

She hated herself for being so blind back then, for throwing away three years of her youth on him.

"Miss Binder?" The restroom door swung open, and Nelson walked in.

Bonnie blinked in surprise. "Dr. Nicholson? What are you doing here?"

Nelson said with a smile, handing her a tissue, "My family is one of the sponsors for this jewelry show. Here, wipe your face. Your makeup's a mess."

Bonnie took the tissue, only then realizing she was crying.

"Sorry, I..." Bonnie said, her voice shaky.

Nelson replied, leaning against the sink, his gaze gentle, "No need to explain. Did you run into your ex?"

Bonnie nodded.

"Alfred?" Nelson raised an eyebrow. "I saw him earlier. He was with a woman, not you."

Bonnie said calmly, "That's the woman he loves. We got divorced so he could marry her."

Nelson frowned. "A guy like that isn't worth your tears."

Bonnie said, wiping her tears and lifting her head, "I know. But I'm not crying for him. I'm crying for myself.

"You were right, Dr. Nicholson. I was in love with the idea of him. Seeing who he really is now makes me sick."

Nelson looked at her and suddenly smiled. "Miss Binder, you're way stronger than I ever imagined."

Bonnie said with a smile, "When you're pushed to the edge, you have no choice but to toughen up.

"Dr. Nicholson, thank you. Whenever I'm at my worst, you always seem to be there."

"Guess that means we're fated to meet," Nelson said with a half-joking grin, then turned serious.

He asked, "By the way, I've got a project that needs a jewelry designer. Are you interested?"

Bonnie's eyes lit up. "What kind of project?"

Nelson said, "My mom's turning sixty next month, and I want to give her something truly one-of-a-kind.

"I'm offering a design fee of 150 thousand dollars, plus the cost of materials. Are you interested in taking it on?"

Bonnie sucked in a breath. She was only making 1000 dollars a month at the studio. 150 thousand dollars was more than ten years' worth of her salary.

"Can I really do it?" she asked, her voice shaky with doubt.

Nelson said, his eyes full of sincerity, "I believe in you. Miss Binder, let me have this chance, and give yourself one, too."

Bonnie looked at him, and suddenly her eyes burned with emotion.

Since the divorce, no one had ever told her they believed in her.

Bonnie said, nodding hard, "Alright. I promise I won't let you down."

After the jewelry show, Bonnie threw herself into the design, giving it her all.

She dug through tons of information about Patricia Nicholson's preferences, sketched out idea after idea, but nothing seemed good enough.

Her colleague said, noticing she'd been pulling all-nighters for days, "Bonnie, don't push yourself too hard.

"This is your first private commission. It's okay if it doesn't turn out perfect."

Bonnie said, her eyes red as she stared at her sketches, "No, I have to get it right. This is my first step toward a new beginning. I can't afford to fail."

She remembered the way Alfred looked at her. that superior, almost patronizing pity in his eyes.

She didn't need his pity. What she wanted was for him to regret losing her.

She wanted him to regret letting her go, to regret ever thinking she was less, and to regret every way he'd treated her.

A week later, she finally drew a design she actually liked.

It was a magnolia-themed necklace, the petals set with pink diamonds and a rare golden pearl for the heart of the flower.

It was meant to represent the warmth and preciousness of a mother's love.

She took her sketch to Nelson, but as she arrived at his company, she ran into Alfred right outside.

He was standing by his car, looked like he was waiting for someone. When he saw her, his eyes flickered.

Alfred said, "Miss Binder, long time no see."

Bonnie stopped in her tracks. "Mr. Carr, is there something you need?"

Alfred said, his voice flat, "I heard you're designing a necklace for Nelson. 150 thousand dollars for a design fee? He's really willing to spend that much."

Bonnie frowned. "Are you investigating me?"

Alfred replied coolly, "No need. This circle is small. I know everything that goes on."

He paused, then said sharply, "Nelson isn't someone you should trust. Stay away from him."

Bonnie let out a bitter laugh. "Mr. Carr, who are you to me? What gives you the right to interfere in my life?"

Alfred's brows drew together, a flicker of irritation in his eyes. "Bonnie, I'm doing this for your own good."

"For my own good?" Bonnie shot him a bitter smile. "Alfred, what gives you the right?

"When we got divorced, did you ever care about me? When I miscarried, did you ever care about me? When everyone online was tearing me apart, did you ever care about me?

"Now you say you're doing it for me. Isn't that ridiculous?"

Alfred went silent.

He stared at the woman in front of him. She was so fierce and unyielding. Suddenly, she felt like a total stranger.

The Bonnie he used to know would never have talked to him like this. She was always tiptoeing around him, terrified of upsetting him.

"I..." Alfred started to speak, but before he could finish, a voice interrupted him.

"Bonnie!" Nelson walked out of the building, spotted Alfred, and raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Carr, what brings you here?"

Alfred said coolly, his eyes shifting between them, "I was passing by. Miss Binder, think about what I told you."

He turned, got into his car, and drove off without another word.

Bonnie watched him drive away, her whole body trembling with anger.

Nelson said, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat, "Ignore him. Did you bring the design?"

Bonnie said, taking a deep breath to steady herself, "Yeah, I brought it. Dr. Nicholson, take a look. See if it needs any tweaks."

Nelson studied the sketch, and his eyes grew brighter with every second.

He said, looking up at Bonnie, "Perfect. Bonnie, you're a genius."

He called her intimately for the first time.

Bonnie paused for a second, then smiled. "Thanks. I'll start prepping the materials."

Nelson called after her, "Wait, there's a charity gala next week, and I want you to be my date. Partly to promote the design, but also..."

He paused, his gaze sincere. "I want everyone to see that Bonnie isn't the ex Mrs. Carr everyone pities. She's a talented designer."

Bonnie looked at him, and suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

Bonnie said, her voice steady, "Alright. I'm in."