Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"Who's that?" Yvenne asked, her curiosity getting the better of her as she glanced at the classmate next to her.

The woman seemed pretty chummy with Fiona, but they were too far for Yvenne to catch any of their conversation. She remembered this woman approaching her about a design draft before. Could she be here for the same reason with Fiona?noveldrama

So, Fiona had secretly joined the designer competition after all. Yvenne's hands curled into fists, her anger simmering.

Then she spotted Nash slipping out from the crowd, smoothly joining Fiona and the woman. They were laughing and chatting like old pals.

"Yvenne, it's no wonder you don't recognize her since you're new here. That's Nash's mom, Mr. Jackson's older sister, and second-in-command of the Woods family."

The Woods family? Yvenne's head was spinning. What had she been thinking? She vaguely recognized the woman from the coffee shop but hadn't put two and two together. And this was the Woods family! She'd turned down such a golden opportunity before. If she hadn't, Fiona wouldn't even be in the picture with Mr. Jackson.

Regret hit her like a ton of bricks. If she'd known this woman's status, she'd have done anything to win her over. Now, she was kicking herself for blowing it.

She quickly arranged for a morning off from school. After Fiona and Nash left, she rushed to intercept Nash's mom's car at a street corner.

Yvenne took a moment to fix her hair, standing tall and composed at the corner. She looked straight at Nash's mom, but to her dismay, Nash's mom didn't even glance her way, telling the driver to keep going.

Yvenne was caught off guard, momentarily stunned. But she wasn't about to give up. She ran to catch Nash's mom at the next traffic light, determined to make a connection with the Woods family.

In her haste, she tripped and fell, scrambling up with a forced smile. "Ms. Woods, it's me, Yvenne. We met a few days ago."

"I know. What do you want?" Nash's mom gave her a quick look before turning away.

"Well, I've recently completed a new design draft. Would you like to see it?" Yvenne asked, her voice fullof hope. But Nash's mom just replied

"No time."

Yvenne's smile faltered, but she struggled to keep it in place. "Ms. Woods, you

might want to check it out. If you're interested, you can reach out later."

Nash's mom wasn't one for small talk. She glanced at the design draft in Yvenne's hand through the car window. The lines were different from H's technique, but the style was eerily similar. '

"Miss Zhang, don't know if this design is truly yours, but some things can't be forced," Nash's mom said with a touch of amusement. "So, now that you know who I am, you're trying to cozy up to me? I've seen all types of people. I met women like you when I was ten. I suggest you drop your tricks and stop showing off your ignorance in front of me."

With that, she signaled the driver to leave.

Yvenne stood there, her face burning with humiliation. She had been...

Utterly humiliated.

Fury threatened to consume her. How could this woman, who seemed so beneath her just days ago, dismiss her design so easily? Who did she think she was?