Bride to Be, Not Me

Chapter 71 Chapter 71 Janke threw herself into work with such intensity that she skipped meals.

Wearing glasses, she sat at the crochet desk for hours on end and got up occasionally for a quick meal and slight stretching. Then, she'd resher crocheting. Neither Jacob nor Shirley would enter the room where she worked.

After three busy days, Shirley approached Janke in the evening. “Janice, the court informedthat I have a hearing with Simon. What am I supposed to do?! "Did you bring your transaction records? "They're all here," Shirley said as she gestured to a foldet. "I just found out how much prize money crochet tournaments offer, but since Ma, Olson signed up with my name, why couldn't they trackdown? "The tournament wasn't registered under real names. It's to prevent anyone abroad from stealing ideas and to ensure the safety of participants." In other words, anyone could join just by providing a nand their bank account. Il try won, the prize money would be taxed, and the rest would be paid out without further scrutiny. The ID card was just to ensure no illegal activity.

The organizers knew that most individual participants used fake identities, so they didn't bother investigating further.

This was why major companies sent representatives to these toumaments every year to track down low-profile geniuses before they disappeared with their winnings. "Someone will reach out when it's tfor the hearing Follow their lead, and they'll tell you what to do. All you have to do is state that you're Shirley Olson, the one who handled the transactions. That's enough." Janice had called for her private lawyer to handle the case. Though Shirley's involvement might not recover the money, it'd at least prevent Simon from squandering it. That alone was worth the effort.

After a simple dinner, Janice returned to her workspace to continue working on her crochet design.

For the following month, her communication with Edward was limited to work-related phone calls. Now that she'd halved the usual timeline for her project, the strain caused her previous wrist injury to date up, Fortunately, the piece was just one week away from completi At the hotel, Heidi proudly displayed her best crochet design Buoma couldn't stop praising her. "Your crochet skills have improved so much, Smithy. It's incredible!" "I have a background in textile restoration, Mom. Learning this was a piece of cake for me. Plus, Grandma was a seamstress, so I picked up a lot from her growing up. It wasn't anything hard to master." When Heidi had abruptly switched careers a few years back, Emma had been furious. But it was a great thing that Heidi had since won several awards and redeemed herself in Emma's eyes.

Her father, Gregory Ryan, was less impressed. "A seamstress is still a seamstress regardless. It's not a job as prestigious as antique restoration "Plus, how can you guarantee that your work will help Prosper Stitch Group win any awards? I've heard there's a skilled seamstress at the company.

"You believe that nonsense? You have no idea how awful that lady's character is, Dad. Her ex-boyfriend of seven years sal she's only after money, so how could someone like that be any good? Gregory frowned" that so?" "I've seen her previous crochet designs, and it's nothing special. I'm confident I'll secure a spot in the Winter Tournament." Each company could submit a maximum of two crochet designs for the Winter Toumament. The first slot was taken up by "Ode to the Lunar Castle", the first-place winner from the Fall Tournament. That left on your spot between Heldi and Janice.

#Smithy, Theard Calvin mentioning something about you bring.." Emma hesitated.

"Calvin toldyou're Shirley Olson?" Heidi froze and statered, "I-1---" " Gregory seemed stunned. "You're Shirley Olson? Smithy, is that true?

Heidi couldn't backtrack now that she'd vaguely hinted at it to Calvin, Shelaced herself and said, "Mom Dad, I didn't mean to keep it from you, but you know how unsafe it is when I'm abroad. I didn't want to risk anything, so I kept it to myself over the last two years. Please don't tell anyone!"

She repeatedly reminded them to keep it a secret. As long as they stayed quiet, she could continuen claiming Shirley's identity. Her parents wouldn't harm her or prove she'd ever admitted it even if the truth cout. Shurd never said she was Shirky Olson after all, right?

"Oh, my lovely daughter! Hiew I didn't raise you for nothing!" Emma exclaimed as she bugged Heidim tightly. But why keep it from us? Do you know how many friends in my circle dream of having Shirley crochet a shawl for them? It's a symbol of status and culture!" The rich loved Haunting elegant and culturally significant Henis.

"This is perfect! Make ine a shawl or maybe a pouch when you have tine!" Fanna was overjoyed as she beamed with pride.

Heidi started feeling guilty *L. 1'E make you our when Thave time. " After Hesh returned to her room, tuna turned to tirgory and said, "thur daughter is both the fans Shirley Olson and the Ms. Brith who restored andques for Mrs. Moors. The Moore Landly will love to take us seriously wil