Chapter 1084
Rupert nodded in agreement.
When Annabel arrived at Leo Studio, a wave of emotions washed over her. The studio had originally been started by Anika and named after her. After moving to Douburgh, Anika had left it in someone else’s care for the time being. As Annabel walked toward the building, memories surfaced, and she couldn’t help wondering whether everything still looked the same.
She stepped inside and walked straight to the main office of the design department, then knocked politely on the door.
A blonde French girl, fully absorbed in sketching at her desk, turned at the sound. To her surprise, Annabel stood in the doorway with a smile. Without hesitation, the girl jumped up and rushed over to hug her warmly.
“Annabel, it’s great to see you again! I’ve missed you so much!” she exclaimed. Her face was sprinkled with adorable freckles, and her crescent-shaped smile radiated warmth.
Annabel matched the girl’s excitement and hugged her back, gently patting her shoulder. “Yes, I’m back. Chana, it feels like ages since we last saw each other. You still have the same bubbly spirit. But can I really trust you to manage the studio while I’m away?” she teased.
Chana, who was temporarily in charge of the studio, had always been passionate about design and had even made a name for herself with her own achievements.
Hearing Annabel’s remark, Chana wrinkled her nose and pretended to look wounded. “That’s not fair! I’ve been running this studio diligently ever since you and Anika left. I even hired two excellent designers, you know!”
Curious about Annabel’s return to France, Chana asked, “So, when did you come back? Are you planning on staying for a while?”
Annabel grinned at Chana’s effervescent nature. She was fond of her personality and didn’t want to interrupt her chatter. She followed Chana into the office and sat in a chair beside her workstation.
“I’m here for a fashion design competition,” Annabel explained. “I haven’t been back in a while, so I thought I’d stop by and see how everything is going. I’ll only be staying a few days after the competition, then I’ll head back to my country. But I really appreciate all the hard work you’ve been doing here.”
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“What…” Chana’s eyebrows drooped with disappointment. “Why are you leaving so soon?” she asked. “We’ve all missed you since you and Anika left. Jenna and I especially.”
“I miss all of you too… Oh, but you look really different now.” Annabel looked at Chana approvingly.
Chana laughed and patted her chest. “This is… well, as the Chinese saying goes, a person who constantly improves deserves a new appraisal.”
As they reminisced about the old days in the studio, other designers returned from their errands and froze in surprise when they saw Annabel. They gathered around her, asking about her life now—where she was living and when she planned to return.
Annabel answered patiently, and when Chana finally found a gap to speak, she remembered what Annabel had mentioned earlier.
“By the way,” Chana asked, “didn’t you say you came back for the design competition? Have you finished your draft and the final work for the competition?”
“Well…” Annabel paused briefly, then said, “The design is finished, and I’ve revised it several times. I don’t think there will be any issues. Today, I came back to see if there are good materials here—or other sketches I can reference—so I can refine the details. As for the final presentation, I think it should be ready in the next few days. But I might come bother you more often these days. I hope you don’t mind.”
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