Isabella was direct. “I need to speak with Mr. Arthur Bennett about a jewelry repair.”

The butler hesitated, his expression guarded. “Do you have an appointment?”

“I couldn’t secure one,” Isabella replied. “But I have fragments of the Dewy Hibiscus. I believe Mr. Bennett will be interested.”

She opened the box. The broken pieces caught the light, a faint shimmer hinting at their former glory.

The butler studied the fragments. He noted their latent beauty and Isabella’s sincere determination. After a moment, he finally nodded and led her inside.

Arthur Bennett examined the pieces with intense focus. His expression was deeply thoughtful. “The craftsmanship is extraordinary… Such a tragic loss.”

“Is there any chance of restoration?” Isabella asked, her voice filled with hope.

He shook his head regretfully. “The challenge is immense. The Dewy Hibiscus was made with unique techniques and rare materials. Those materials are nearly impossible to find now.”

Her heart sank, but a flicker of hope remained. “Is there absolutely no way?”

Arthur paused, considering. “Restoration might be possible. But the odds are very slim. I am willing to try, though I cannot guarantee success.”

Even that small chance was enough for her. “Your willingness to try means everything to me,” Isabella said, her spirits lifting.

He hesitated before continuing. “There is a condition. Repairing it requires finding substitutes for the original materials. These substitutes are extremely scarce. Sourcing them will demand significant effort from you.”

Isabella responded without hesitation. “Please give me the list. I will find them, no matter what it takes.”

Arthur provided a detailed list of required gemstones. Each one was rarer and more elusive than the last.

Leaving the villa, Isabella immediately began her search. She contacted every jeweler and collector she knew. She leveraged all her connections and called in every favor. Meanwhile, she tasked Victoria with overseeing the studio’s current projects to ensure operations continued smoothly.

Watching Isabella’s relentless pace, Victoria grew concerned. “Isabella, are you sure you can handle all this? Aren’t you worried about burning out?”

“The Dewy Hibiscus is too important to abandon. But the studio cannot stop either. We must manage both,” Isabella stated with firm resolve.

In the following days, Isabella dedicated herself to acquiring the materials. She also assisted in the restoration efforts whenever possible. Her work was relentless, like a machine that never stopped.

As the Starlight Gala drew nearer, Isabella had secured almost all the necessary items. Only one remained elusive: the Starlight Stone. Its rarity was legendary, almost mythical.

“Starlight Stone,” Isabella whispered, her eyes fixed on the final unchecked item on her list.

The studio phone rang, sharp and persistent.

Victoria answered it. Her face immediately tightened as the conversation unfolded. “Hello, Isabella’s Studio… What? Cancel the collaboration? Why?”

Her voice rose in clear disbelief.