The True Heiress's Return novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 

Shakira called Sean. 

On the other end, Sean was all smiles. “So, what do you think? Did you love the birthday gift I got you?” 

Shakira laughed meaningfully. “I love it very much.” 

‘She loves it! Very much!‘ Sean beamed with pride, feeling like he was floating. 

Just as he soaked in his moment of glory, Shakira asked, “Where did those design submissions come from?” 

Sean replied with excitement, “Oh, I got those through Yonder Digital. I made sure to screen the first drafts, and I only sent you the best picks. After all, your assistant needs to be top–notch.” 

Even though Sean wasn’t an expert in fashion design, he was a huge fan of Shakira. To him, everything she did was gold. Even her assistant had to measure up. 

Shakira sent him a screenshot. “Take a look at this person for me” 

Sean checked the picture, his pride swelling again. “I saw real potential in this girl named ‘Cherry‘ right away. You think her designs are good too, right?” 

Shakira’s eyes 

darkened, her voice flat. “Her sketches are all mine.” 

“What?” Sean was stunned. 

“When I went back to the Nelson residence, I took my old sketchbook with my past drafts. I even drew some new designs whenever I got bored. The submissions? They all came from my sketchbook,” explained Shakira. 

She just noticed her sketchbook vanished last night, and now, it had suddenly “shown up.” Something felt off, and she couldn’t shake the feeling. 

Sean fell silent. Shakira could hear him typing heavily and she knew he was fuming. 

After a moment, Sean spoke up, his voice cold. “You’ll never guess who Cherry really is.” 

Shakira stayed cool. “Yvette.” 

“Damn! How did you figure that out so fast?” 

“The sketchbook went missing at the Nelson residence. Only Yvette would be bold enough to use it for her submissions.” 

On top of that, after donating a kidney in her past life, Shakira had spent a lot of time recovering at home. Under the Nelson family‘ watchful eye and their “good intentions,” she was pretty out of the loop. One day, she overheard some loud chatter downstairs–the family seemed to be celebrating something. 

Back then, she stood at the top of the stairs, catching bits and pieces of the conversation. 

“Yvette, we’re your brothers. How could you hide things from us?” 

“Exactly! Not only did you secretly become a signed designer for Yonder Digital, but you also won the International Design Award for Best Newcomer. That’s a level most fashion designers strive for their whole lives and never reach.” 

“Seriously! You’re already a rising designer, and we haven’t even gotten a custom piece from you!” 

“Mitchell, if I could, I’d design for everyone, but it’s just so hectic right now. I can barely finish one sketch without pulling all–nighters.” 

1/3 

15:36 Thu, Oct 17 Ba l 

Chapter 12 

“You can’t pull all–nighters, Yvette. You had a kidney transplant less than six months ago, and you need rest.” 

“Got it, Felix.” 

Q 

64% 

Their cheerful voices had made Shakira’s heart sink. She wrapped her shawl around herself and slowly walked back to her 

room… 

+5 

Suddenly, Sean’s furious voice cut in, snapping Shakira back to reality. “That shameless fake! Stealing your family, grabbing your titles, and now she’s snagging your designs! Doesn’t she worry about getting caught and making a fool of herself?” 

Shakira’s expression tightened. ‘It’s true. The design submissions went out a while ago, but I’ve just been transported back last night and cut ties with the Nelson family. Even if I hadn’t left them, those designs would eventually come to light, and I would find out. Yvette was truly bold. 

‘In my past life, Yvette must have won awards by claiming my designs as her own. Did she really think the Nelson family liked her that much? Or did she believe I wouldn’t get the chance to expose her?‘ 

A terrible idea struck Shakira, making her more serious than ever. 

“Shakira?” Sean’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. 

“Yeah, I’m here.” 

Don’t worry. I’ll deal with her right now…” 

“Deal with her? Do you really think she’ll own up to anything?” 

“We have hard evidence. She can’t deny it.” 

“Even if we catch her red–handed, she’ll shed a few tears and play the victim, and the Nelsons will forgive her in a heartbeat. What does she really stand to lose?” Shakira sneered, thinking of last night–the Nelson family lost a hundred million dollars. And Yvette? Just a few tears. 

“Damn it!” Sean fumed, his frustration bubbling over. “You can’t let this slide!” 

“I said I’m going to dim the Nelsons‘ golden child, and this is the beginning, S 

she wants to steal, then let her do it.” 

retorted, a mocking glint in her eye. “If 

Meanwhile, chaos erupted in the Nelson residence. 

“Damn it! Yonder Digital is a huge company; how can they stab us in the back like this? That jerk Sean must be playing us!” Mitchell paced the living room, pouring out his anger. 

Finn, who had been feeling on top of the world since becoming the CEO of Nelson Group, looked just as furious. 

Yonder Digital was a fast–rising tech company, dominating the market with cutting–edge technology and resources that were light–years ahead. Landing a partnership would have doubled Nelson Group’s size and profits, and by taking advantage of Yonder Digital’s strengths, they had everything lined up for future partnerships and suppliers. 

Now that the partnership was out of reach, all their hard work felt wasted. It was like having a treasure delivered only to see it snatched away. Their stock prices were tanking, and the flood of negative news was crushing. 

Finn couldn’t wrap his head around how just days ago, Sean had been friendly during negotiations, and then–just like that 

everything changed overnight. 

Mitchell suddenly froze. “Could this be about Shakira? That Maybach–could it be Sean’s?”