"Ms. Reese, what should we do now?" the remaining employees asked nervously. "Will we face unemployment so soon after starting?" they worried.

Maeve composed herself. "Everyone, continue working as usual," she said. "Dreamscape doesn't just offer bespoke services; we have a long way to go. Consider this a test. Let's work hard and succeed with Dreamscape."

Over the past few years, she'd endured much, developing resilience and emotional strength. Seeing her composure and reassurance, their anxiety subsided.

Maeve returned to her office and made numerous calls, gathering information. These clients had retracted their orders after learning about a four-year-old feud between her and the McDaniel family. They feared repercussions for associating with someone who had offended the McDaniels. This was a realistic concern, but Maeve wondered who had spread this old news.

She pursed her lips, pondering. "Could it be Byron? He hates me intensely. Yet, he saved me by the hot spring that night. He could have ignored me—a mere insignificant ex-wife—but he didn't. Why?"

Maeve rubbed her temples when a knock came. "Ms. Reese," Alex said, entering with a warm smile. "I heard your studio launched, so I brought a gift."

"Alex, why are you here?" Maeve asked, rising and smiling. "A gift? Flowers or fruit? Don't be formal."

Alex smiled and presented a contract: a collaboration for Eternal Hope's latest summer collection. "How about this gift?"

Maeve was surprised. "Are you kidding? Dreamscape isn't well-known. Collaborating with us is like charity."

"I'm not focused on fame, but on Dreamscape's potential and talent," Alex said warmly. "True value is recognized eventually. I'm investing early. Will you let me down?"

Maeve couldn't refuse; this contract addressed her urgent needs. However, she didn't want to take advantage of him. "Alex, can I have two weeks?" she asked. "If Dreamscape fails to penetrate the Kleymond market, you can withdraw the contract. If I succeed, we'll sign." This offered him an out and a chance for her to prove herself.

Alex, sensing her seriousness, felt a stirring in his heart. He sighed softly. "You're still the same. You've never changed. You continually captivate me. How could I let go?" he thought.

Maeve, missing the subtext, smiled sweetly. "You too. I'm glad to see you."

A thought struck Alex. "Do you... have a boyfriend?"

"No," Maeve said gently. "But I have a son."

Alex's emotions were complex, but relieved she was single. How to win Dreamscape's first battle consumed Maeve. Internationally renowned, she was still considered easier to offend than the McDaniels. Only if upper-class ladies wore Dreamscape at parties...

At the monthly charity gala, Maeve, with a wine glass in hand, used her background and eloquence to convince several noble ladies to try the dresses.

As she was leaving, a glass of red wine splashed onto her. Maeve tried to dodge, but too late. Red wine stained her pristine silver gown. Her gaze turned cold as she looked at the responsible noble lady.

"Oh dear, my hand slipped," the noble lady said, brushing her pearl-adorned hair. She approached Maeve disdainfully. "People like you, desperately trying to force your way in, lower the gala's standards!" The guests mocked Maeve openly. You came here to solicit clients? Why not find a trust fund baby? they wondered.

Maeve knew this was deliberate. "Madam, show respect. I invited ladies to view the gowns. How did that become soliciting?"

"Really? Is the threshold for designers so low now? Those ladies won't want to associate with you," the noble lady retorted sarcastically.

The noble ladies' expressions changed. Publicly humiliated, they distanced themselves. "I didn't promise anything," they insisted. "Not everyone is worthy of our consideration."

The noble lady grew more arrogant. "Look at your status! Get lost!"

Maeve slapped the noble lady. The noble lady, stunned, sputtered, "You dare hit me? Don't think you can act lowly just because you're a royal family's designer."

"I advise you to keep your mouth shut," a cold female voice said. Mrs. Betty Chatterly, in a pearl-white dress, approached. Maeve watched in surprise. Mrs. Chatterly held her shawl and addressed the noble lady coldly. "You only know she's the Erancian royal family's designer. She's a student personally acknowledged by the queen, on the same level as the prince and princess. Scolding her insults the queen and the entire royal family. You can't afford to do that."