The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 343

Another week passed.

Summer had officially arrived in The Metropolis, bringing with it the restless, deafening hum of cicadas.

That afternoon, sunlight filtered through the blinds of the second-floor refinement room, scattering shattered gold across the floor.

Nora slumped exhausted against her workbench, her right hand involuntarily trembling from gripping the micro-engraving tool for so many hours.

Directly in front of her sat a luxurious jewelry box lined with deep blue velvet, resting open.

"The Radiance"—the pink diamond necklace she had poured her heart and soul into as Giselle's birthday present—was finally complete.

The flawless, top-tier pink diamond was cut into a perfect cushion shape. Under the harsh midday light, it radiated a mesmerizing, almost intoxicatingly brilliant pink glow.

The setting featured intricate hollowed-out craftsmanship, securely cradling the diamond that symbolized absolute adoration. Every facet practically screamed of unparalleled luxury and rarity.

It perfectly matched Giselle's image—an innocent, fragile girl who required the entire world to fiercely protect her.

It was also a humiliating tribute Nora had purchased using her own professional dignity and the survival of her mentor's life's work.

Nora meticulously inspected every detail of the setting. She placed the necklace inside the high-end silk-lined box and snapped the metal clasp shut.

At 3:00 PM, inside The Pierce Headquarters.

Carrying a secure briefcase, Nora followed the executive secretary into Julian's incredibly spacious, sunlit top-floor office.

Straightening his cuffs, he pulled a pre-signed check from his jacket pocket and slid it smoothly across the desk.

"Put your mind at ease, Nora."

His tone was mild. "In the business world, my word is law. I am a man who keeps his promises. This funding is more than enough to pull Lawrence Atelier through its current crisis and cover the entirety of your next high-fashion project."

Looking at the check stamped with the Pierce corporate seal, the massive boulder that had been crushing Nora's chest finally crashed to the ground.

Arthur's legacy was safe. The dozens of employees at the studio wouldn't lose their livelihoods. She hadn't dragged innocent people down with her.

With slightly trembling fingers, she pressed the check into her palm, preparing to turn and leave the suffocating office.