True to Nova's words, my studio's sign arrived first thing in the morning.
Along with it came the new team selected by Nova. They will be working under me, now that I have gone public and need more assistance.
AUREA ATELIAR
That was the name of my new studio. I had let Nova design the plain studio into an elegant ateliar.
But I should have been able to predict that my steps were being watched vigilantly.
The moment I officially opened the doors, different people swarmed in.
On different mannequins were different pieces encased by Nova.
There were reporters pretending to be normal fashion enthusiasts, some big names in the industry, and even some familiar faces from the upperclass society.
Suddenly, everything went silent and that was my cue that trouble had arrived.
The trouble in question came dressed in an expensive watch and a cologne that once intoxicated my nose.
I didn't even need to look up to know who it was.
'Totally don't recommend the cologne host. It smells like regret mixed with designer betrayal.'
"Rui… You really have a new studio. The blogs were right."
I clicked my pen and scribbled on my sketchpad, my actions carrying precise steadiness. "Unfortunately for some, yes."
I could hear the murmurs that rippled through the crowd gathered in my studio. Today was supposed to be my quiet opening.
Small, anonymous and exclusive. But somehow, my name had slipped out earlier, and now it was trending. The sharks had already smelled blood.
Wei Han stood in the doorway, acting all photogenic.
Behind him were his parents and oh look, my darling step-sister!
Jiang Ning looked around, pretending to look surprised, but the jealousy in her eyes couldn't be ignored.
The man who once proposed to me was now clutching her hand.
'I recommend popcorn because the Estimated drama output is 130%.Estimated drama output: 120%.'
"But how?" He took a bold step forward.
"You didn't let anyone help you. You were hospitalized for a month and..."
"Oh please, forgive me," I replied lightly. "Next time my life collapses, I will make sure I CC you."
Seems like Mrs. Wei was not a fan of my sarcastic remarks.
Her voice snapped like ice. "Jiang Rui! What do you think you are trying to do by parading this studio...as yours?"
Her designer pearls glinted under the light, perfectly arranged, matching her disdain.
"It's called ownership ma'am," I replied. "I recommend you try it sometime instead of renting out your morals."
The crowd buzzed louder as the reporters' pens flew in delight.
To them, this was no longer a showcase, it was a feast.
Jiang Ning squeezed Wei Han's bicep like she was performing some tragic play.
"Sister please, you won't misunderstand us, would you? We just dropped by to support your 'little' comeback."
"Support you say?" I tilted my head, my aura suddenly sharpening.
"You mean the same way you 'supported' my designs by submitting them under your name?"
'Ouch host! Fatal blow delivered. Your opponent is bleeding ego points.'
Wei Han's face visibly tightened. "Xiao Ning didn't know they were your designs..."
"Stooping so low to defend a thief Wei Han. Spare me the drama." I cut him off as quickly as I could. "She would sit in my studio every night, on my chair, drinking my coffee, and using my sketches as napkins. She damn right knew."
Jiang Ning's lower lip trembled. Aah, there it was. The pity card. Not so Oscar-worthy.
"You are cruel, sister. Always twisting the truth."
"Cruel? Hmm..." I let out a dry laugh.
"Sweetheart, I was bandaged in the hospital, my studio was reduced to ashes while you were busy releasing my sketches as your collection."
A few in the crowd gasped audibly.
"Security," Mrs. Wei snapped in authority, "Send away the press. This is a family now matter."
"No. This is my turf," I said, turning toward them with a smile sharp enough to slice through diamonds.
"And this? This is a public moment. You all destroyed my name publicly, smeared it publicly but now want to fix it in private?"
Wei Han's jaw tightened. "You have really changed."
"So I've heard," I said. "Death tends to do that."
For a moment, the silence cracked between us was heavy and brittle.
He seemed to think for a bit, before stepping closer, his voice lowered.
"Ruirui, listen. We can talk this out away from the hungry press. My parents and I..."
"...already decided my position in your lives. Dead. Don't backtrack now Wei Han."
His mother sneered in response.
"You think you can rise from ashes and outshine the Wei family? You were nothing but a foolish girl we in a moment of confusion engaged to our son."
"Right," I said sweetly. "And yet your family has been stuck in the same level for years. Clearly,the call is coming from inside."
Jiang Ning turned and whispered something to her future mother-in-law, probably something fake. I rolled my eyes at her actions.
'Eeh Host. This is getting interesting. Should I project some background music?'
"Tempting Nova," I muttered, "but let's stay professional."
I turned to the press, raising my voice just enough, taming my aura just a bit. "Thank you for coming, everyone. AUREA ATELIAR will issue a full statement but please, mark my words when I say designs can be copied, but dignity can never be stolen."
The camera flashes suddenly went wild.
Wei Han tried reaching for my wrist, clearly a mistake.
I caught his hand midair and smiled charmingly. "The next time you touch me, I will make you a headline you won't survive."
His Adam's apple bobbed, eyes locked onto mine, lustfully, before he let go.
'Way to go boss!'
I nodded at my team as they took charge. I needed some time alone.They led the group of intruders outside, where the hungry reporters swarmed them.
I took this moment to take an elevator to the third floor. But of course, Wei Han followed me.
The elevator doors slid shut only to suddenly open again.
And there he was.
'Ugh Host. Persistent ex detected. I have activateding an emotional firewall.'
I did not bother asking any questions as I just looked at the glowing numbers.
"I want closure Rui."
I didn't respond.
The elevator stopped and the door automatically slid open to my private floor. My own sanctuary.
That warthog of a man still followed me anyway.
"Don't you have a conscience to haunt young man?" I asked, my irritation flaring.
"I came to apologize," he said quietly.
'Uh host, in the dictionary of exes, that translates to (I realized you're successful again, so I came to apologize.)'
I ignored Nova's snark remark, though I knew he was not wrong.
"Apologies don't rebuild trust, WeiHan. Or studios..."
His eyes flicked slightly at my last word before he replied.
"I can help you rebuild this..."
"Don't. You are insulting me."
I turned, with fire burning in my throat.
"You had your chance. You could have stood by me and defended me. You could have told the world the truth when my sister paraded my designs around as her own. Instead, you said nothing."
He took a small step forward, clearly desperate. "Rui darling, listen..."
"No," I said. "You listen."
I walked up to him, so close he had to tilt his head slightly to meet my cold eyes.
"You, your entire family, the Jiang couple and my 'dear' step-sister underestimated me. You thought I'd break, beg or even disappear. But the thing about ashes is that they spread...fast."
'Oou! I can feel the goosebumps!'
"I have rebuilt this studio with my own hands. All the stitches here are proof I survived you."
He swallowed, staring at me like I was a ghost. Which in a way I was.
Finally, he whispered, "You are not the same sweet Rui I knew."
"Of course, you are right" I said, brushing past him toward the window. "She died in the hospital bed you ignored."
For a long time, Wei Han didn't move. Then his voice came, barely audible.
"I admire you," he replied. "It's… admiration."
That caught me off guard for a moment. I blinked. "Excuse me?"
He shoved his hands into his suit pockets. "You were always the brave one but I just didn't see it until too late."
He lingered a second longer, eyes shadowed, before speaking.
"I'll see you soon, Rui."
'Oh host, he's definitely planning something. Probably stupid. I can see the deceit behind those eyes.'
The door shut behind him with a soft click.
I let out a long breath as I collapsed on the sofa.
'So… how do you feel Rui?'
"Rui?"
'Yes. You have a beautiful name.'
"Thank you Nova. To answer your question, I feel like I just stabbed someone and they thanked me for it."
"But whatever," I muttered. "We are not done.The threat is still beside him."
'Jiang Ning?'
"Yeah. And she's planning something big. But the next time she tries me..."
I smirked at my own reflection. "I'll make sure she's center stage. I'll help her tone down her princess syndrome."