Chapter 11

The building housed numerous small businesses and three office towers, so job seekers were a common sight. Before Stephanie could speak, Ella interjected, "I offered you money, and you refused. Now you're job hunting?"

Stephanie chuckled softly. "Let's grab something to eat first, and we can talk then."

Explaining her studio in a few sentences would be impossible, as Ella knew nothing about it. They opted for a nearby Mexican restaurant.

Once seated, Stephanie recounted the details of her studio, the narrative unfolding over the next half hour.

Ella's eyes widened. "You've kept this a secret? I had no idea!" If Ella was unaware, it was safe to assume the Hart family and Chris were equally uninformed.

Stephanie shrugged. "It's not that I wanted to keep it a secret; I just never found the right time."

Ella considered this, then nodded understandingly. Their early conversations abroad had mostly revolved around shopping and relationships; any mention of her job had been brief and incidental.

"Running for a year now?" Ella asked, raising an eyebrow.

Stephanie nodded. "Yeah, a year."

After processing this, Ella inquired, "Is it profitable?" This was the crucial question for everyone—the Giovanni family, Chris, anyone. Profitability would allow Stephanie to refuse their offers.

Stephanie smiled slightly. "Not much. Just a few million."

Ella nearly choked on her drink. A few million? And Stephanie called it "not much"?

Intrigued, Ella leaned closer. "A travel design studio makes that much? In its first year?" Most small studios struggle to break even in their first year; hers was already profitable.

Stephanie shrugged casually. "If you do it right, it makes money. Just promise you'll keep this between us."

"Got it," Ella nodded, understanding completely. Olivia—that scheming woman—would undoubtedly try to seize anything Stephanie possessed. And Ella recalled Olivia's background in tourism.

As for Chris—with his dubious morals, it wouldn't surprise Ella if he were subtly sabotaging things.

Ella shook her head. "You shouldn't worry about them. They're trying to force your submission with money." They'd already canceled her credit cards, making their intentions clear. Ultimately, they hoped Stephanie would forgive Olivia for orchestrating the car accident. Ella even admired the Harts' devotion to their adopted daughter, Olivia.

"Does Allison know about the studio?" Ella asked, thinking of another friend.

Stephanie shook her head. "No, she doesn't. I haven't seen her in ages. Every time I call, she says she's working—saving lives." Allison Pierce, a brilliant gynecologist and close friend, was renowned in her field and consequently the busiest of the three.

Ella nodded understandingly. "Yeah, she's probably swamped. I haven't seen her in over a month either."