Back at the studio the next day, the three regrouped. Lira bounced on a chair, holding a tablet with photos from the gala. "Mau, look at this. Your designs—they're trending in elite circles. The whispers are insane. Sheena is not happy."
Aida adjusted the placement of fabric samples on the table. "Good. Attention without exposure. That's exactly what we need."
Mau smirked, her pencil hovering over the sketchbook. "Subtlety is an art. And power in anonymity… even more."
Lira clapped her hands. "I love this! We're unstoppable. You create, I organize chaos, and Aida makes sure we don't get crushed. It's perfect."
Aida allowed a small smile. "Keep your eyes on the goal. Exposure is inevitable. But for now, we build, create, and protect."
The trio worked seamlessly, each contributing their unique strengths: Mau's forest-born instinct and genius creativity, Lira's chaotic energy and social savviness, and Aida's vigilance and strategy. Together, they were no longer just surviving—they were quietly dominating.
CHAPTER 34: Sheena's Scheme
Weeks passed. Invitations for Mau's anonymous designs flooded the elite network. And Sheena? She watched from a distance, her polished veneer cracking slightly with envy.
"She must be revealed," Sheena whispered to herself while swirling champagne. "No one eclipses me in the family. Not quietly, not elegantly, not… anonymously."
Every compliment Mau received, every order placed, gnawed at Sheena's composure. She began plotting subtle ways to discover the designer's identity without making herself look petty—a high-stakes chess game of social maneuvering.
Mau, blissfully unaware of the specifics, continued working, focused on design, teasing interactions with Tim, and trusting her team implicitly.