[EVE]
Hyun composed himself, his trembling hands steadying as he dove into the sketches and fabric samples scattered across his desk. His determination burned brightly now, but the weight of the situation still lingered in the air.
Georgina left the room, her sharp heels echoing in the hallway as she coordinated with the staff, rallying everyone to action.
Meanwhile, I grabbed my phone, already scrolling through my contacts. Desperation clung to me like a second skin. I had no choice but to call in every favor owed, every ally I could think of.
First on my list was Victor. If he had any spare staff—designers, seamstresses, anyone—then now was the time to mobilize them. I needed reinforcements, and I needed them now.
The press had already been notified. Invitations were sent. All eyes were on Hyun's Winter Collection debut on the 20th. There was no turning back, no room for error.
But launching the same pieces was out of the question. Astrid Valencière had beaten us to it, unveiling the stolen designs as her own.
What should have been Hyun's crowning moment now risked becoming his downfall. If we dared release the same collection, the world wouldn't see us as victims—they'd see us as frauds. Copycats. And that kind of stain on Hyun's reputation might never wash away.
Even pursuing legal action against Astrid seemed futile. She was an industry titan, with decades of influence and a network of connections powerful enough to squash any accusation. The legal battle would drag on for months—time we didn't have.
And even if we did try, the narrative was already spinning in her favor. Astrid, the celebrated designer basking in the success of her so-called "original" collection, would easily paint any accusations as nothing more than baseless jealousy from an up-and-comer like Hyun.
I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. My fury simmered beneath the surface, but I couldn't afford to let it consume me now.
Still, I made a silent vow—once this was over, once Hyun had risen above this storm, I would make sure Astrid paid for her deceit and everyone who was involved. Every ounce of debt would be returned with interest.
Right now, however, I needed to focus on the task at hand. Hyun's reputation, his career, and everything we'd built were on the line. And I would stop at nothing to protect it.
The door to the studio slammed open with such force that it rattled on its hinges, making all of us flinch.
I turned, my heart skipping a beat, to see Cole stride in like he owned the place, his presence as commanding as ever.
Hyun and I froze, equally shocked by the intrusion. Before I could even demand an explanation, Cole closed the distance between us and pulled me into a firm embrace, catching me completely off guard.
"Eve, are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with a rare softness that almost masked the steel beneath.
I blinked, momentarily speechless, before awkwardly patting his shoulder and wriggling free. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Hyun's mouth drop open in shock.
"Cole, what are you doing here?" I asked, frowning as I took a step back.
He fixed me with a concerned look. "I heard the news. That maid . . . she's claiming you pushed her down the stairs. It's everywhere. Reporters are already swarming outside you condo."
"What?" I gasped, my stomach twisting. "How do they even know where I live?" Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire
"They always find out. For now, you can stay at one of my properties to avoid them while I handle the situation," Cole said firmly, as if his word was final.
"No!" I replied, throwing up my hands in frustration. "Stop it. I will deal with it. But right now, I have bigger problems to deal with than Sophie and her ridiculous accusations."
"Eve, this is serious," he insisted, stepping closer, his brows furrowing. "Your reputation is at stake. The longer this drags out, the harder it'll be to salvage. But don't worry—I'll take care of everything for you."
I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to keep my temper in check. "No, Cole. I'll handle it myself. Right now, I need you to stay out of it. Please."
"Eve . . ." Hyun's voice broke through the tension like a soft plea. I turned to find him standing there, his eyes wide with worry. "What's going on? Did something happen to you?"
Cole glanced at Hyun, unimpressed. "You're still here?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't mind him," I said quickly, waving Cole off. "He has the manners of a bulldozer." Turning to Hyun, I forced a reassuring smile. "It's nothing. Just a little personal issue I'll deal with later. Right now, we need to focus on the designs."
Hyun's lips tightened into a thin line, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Eve, you have your own problems to deal with, and here I am, adding to them."
I glared at Cole before swatting at his arm. "It's fine, Hyun. Really. This is nothing major. The sooner we fix your situation, the sooner I can deal with mine. So let's focus at the task at hand, alright?"
Hyun hesitated, his emotions flickering like a candle in the wind, before finally nodding. "Alright. I'll trust you. But once we're done here, I will help you too."
Cole let out a condescending laugh from the side. "What help can you possibly offer? You can't even handle your own problems."
Hyun turned sharply, his expression hardening as he faced Cole. "Who are you, and how did you even get in here?"
Cole's smirk widened. "I'm Eve's lover," he said, straight-faced.
"What?" Hyun's face paled, his usual composure cracking. "Eve, is that true?"
I groaned, elbowing Cole hard in the ribs. "No, it's not true! Don't listen to him—he's crazy."
"Crazy in love with you," Cole added, undeterred, his tone maddeningly serious.
I jabbed him again, harder this time, my patience wearing thin. "Would you stop? We're trying to work here!"