Nicole's face stiffened at Zara's question. She couldn't respond, caught in the whirl of her thoughts. She recalled the conversation she'd had with Nathaniel.
Truthfully, she hadn't intended to offer Zara much more than a small project to design a seasonal collection, just to test her. It was only because she owed Nathaniel a favor.
Since Nathaniel had agreed to help her in expanding her business there, she had agreed to help his wife in return. It was a simple equation.
But everything had changed the moment she laid eyes on Zara's designs.
Nicole had been genuinely blown away, her professional instincts instantly recognizing Zara's potential. That's when her offer had shifted from a trial project to something far more significant.
But now, facing Zara's pointed question, Nicole was stuck. She couldn't reveal the truth. Nathaniel had asked her to keep his involvement secret, and Nicole understood why now.
