The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 58

Seeing Nora approach, the chatter stopped instantly, and several gazes filled with disdain and mockery landed directly on her.

Joe Harrison leaned against the breakroom doorframe, holding an Americano, a blatant sneer curling his lips.

"Nora, I heard you went to the Pierce Capital charity gala last night?"

Joe's voice wasn't too loud or too soft, just enough for everyone in the office to hear. "A friend of mine was there. I heard you were walking around with a wine glass, handing out business cards, and got rejected to your face by several brand directors? Isn't it a bit pathetic how desperate you are to climb the social ladder?"

A few colleagues nearby let out low chuckles.

Nora stopped walking and looked calmly at Zoe Nash. The people in the studio had no idea about her true identity. To them, she was just a divorced, entry-level designer who had parachuted in through her connections with Arthur.

They only saw her hitting a wall at the gala, so they naturally assumed she was just a joke trying to force her way into high society.

"I approached the brand reps to pitch the studio's concept designs."

Nora's tone was even, showing no signs of anger. "A gala is a networking event anyway. Handing out business cards is standard practice."

"Pitching designs?"

Sloane Miller walked out of her office holding a stack of sketches Nora had submitted yesterday and slammed them onto an empty desk nearby. "Do you honestly think the trash you drew is worthy of being pitched at a gala of that caliber?"

Papers scattered all over the floor. Sloane walked up to Nora, her eyes brimming with condescending criticism and disgust.

"Your design concepts are too petty. Do you think just throwing a few expensive gems together makes it haute couture? You don't understand the aesthetic demands of elite clients at all."

The moment Sloane left, a few young designers huddled together, whispering without restraint. Their voices were just loud enough to reach Nora's ears.

"So embarrassing."

"What's the point of a woman with no background drawing a few sketches anyway? She actually thinks she can force her way into that circle."

The nasty comments continued to echo.

Janie Fisher, sitting next to Nora, couldn't take it anymore. She slammed her mouse onto the pad, stood up, and prepared to confront them.

"What nonsense are you talking about! Nora secured that project with her own skills. If you're so great, go get the French brands to say yes! What's the point of gossiping behind someone's back!"