Rebirth: Love me Again

[BONUS Chapter for reaching 50 GT! Thank you all!🤍]

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[EVE]

"What's going on?" I asked softly, placing a hand on his back to calm him.

"It's terrible!" Hyun released me but didn't step far, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. The raw vulnerability in his expression tugged at something deep within me.

I wasn't usually one to be moved by someone crying, but seeing Hyun like this awakened an almost maternal instinct—a fierce need to protect him.

"Hyun, what happened?" I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the sinking feeling in my stomach.

"Our winter collection—" his voice cracked, and he clutched his head in frustration.

"What about it?" I pressed, dread curling around me.

Hyun met my gaze, his voice a mix of despair and anger. "It's been sabotaged, Eve. Everything we've worked for—it's ruined!"

"Huh? What? How?" My mind spun with questions as Hyun was clearly an emotional wreck. His face was flushed, tears streaming down his cheeks, and his breaths came in shallow gasps.

I knew I wouldn't get any clear answers from him like this, so I turned to Georgina, who stood calmly nearby, albeit with a shadow of concern in her eyes.

She let out a heavy sigh and handed me a tablet. "This is Astrid Valencière's Winter Collection showcase. It debuted last night."

I frowned deeply, my gut twisting as I watched the playback of the grand runway show. Astrid Valencière—a name that carried immense weight in the fashion world. She was a titan of the industry, revered for her groundbreaking designs that flawlessly blended avant-garde artistry with practical wearability.

Her pieces always pushed boundaries—sharp asymmetrical lines, innovative materials, and a style that screamed individuality while maintaining a sophisticated charm.

To see her work, inspired by sustainability and modern streetwear, was always mesmerizing. But this time, as the models paraded down the runway, I felt a chill crawl down my spine.

The designs. They were ours.

"What . . . What is this?" I whispered, my voice cracking as my hand tightened around the tablet. "This is our Winter Collection. Are you telling me she stole from us?"

Georgina's expression darkened. She nodded solemnly. "Yes, Eve. Someone from our side leaked the designs to Astrid's team. It wasn't coincidence—it was deliberate sabotage. We have a traitor in our ranks."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. "How could this happen?" I demanded. "We've taken every precaution—confidentiality agreements, limited access to the designs, rigorous staff vetting . . . Who would do this? How?"

Georgina adjusted her glasses, her movements slow and deliberate, as though each word she was about to speak carried a heavy weight. "We've identified the individual responsible. They've been terminated, and legal action is already underway. However," she paused, her jaw tightening, "because Astrid debuted the collection first, it will be nearly impossible to prove they were originally ours. The industry favors whoever showcases their work publicly first."

A deep, bitter anger began to simmer within me, but I forced myself to take a slow, calming breath. "So, they had access to our designs long enough to recreate and showcase them," I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.

Georgina's shoulders sagged slightly. "I failed to secure our team as well as I should have. I'm so sorry, Eve. This is my fault."

"No," I said firmly, cutting through her guilt with the sharpness of my voice. "This isn't on you. Greed makes people do despicable things. Even with all the precautions in the world, we can't control human nature."

Hyun sniffled from his spot, his wide, tear-filled eyes locking onto mine. "Eve . . . What are we going to do? Everything is ruined!"

"Ruined?" I echoed, my voice rising with determination. "Not yet. Not while we still have options. Hyun, how many designs do you have left in the drafts? I remember that you have so many made right?"

His lips quivered, but he answered hesitantly, "I-I have about a dozen—pieces we didn't finalize or were going to save for next season. But . . . there's no way we have time to create an entirely new line before the winter launch! That's only five days left."

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, steadying him as much as I was steadying myself. "Then we'll make the impossible possible. If that means working day and night, so be it."

Turning to Georgina, my tone sharpened with resolve. "Hire additional staff if needed. Ask everyone to put in overtime and organize overnight shifts. And make it clear—we'll double their compensation and extend their winter vacations to show our gratitude."

"But with the holidays, finding extra labor—" she replied, her tone cautious. Continue reading stories on empire

"I don't care about the obstacles," I interrupted. "We're not backing down. This is our name, our reputation, and our work on the line. I don't care if Astrid Valencière is a giant in this industry—I'll be damned if we let her overshadow us without a fight."

The room grew silent, the gravity of the situation settling over us like a heavy fog. Then, with a renewed spark in his eyes, Hyun straightened. "I'll start refining the drafts immediately," he said with a determined nod.

Georgina gave me a small, approving smile. "I'll handle the logistics and make sure we have the resources we need. Whatever it takes, Eve, we'll make this happen."

I glanced at both of them, my chest swelling with pride despite the storm raging around us. "Good. Because this isn't just about saving our Winter Collection. It's about proving that no matter how many times we're knocked down, we'll always rise stronger."

The two nodded in unison, determination evident in their expressions, and we each sprang into action. Georgina stepped outside to manage the staff. Hyun returned to his desk, his hands moving so fast as he began sketching furiously.

Meanwhile, I stayed behind, phone in hand, dialing one number after another, determined to gather every resource we needed to pull this off.

I hadn't even made my first call when the studio door burst open with a loud bang, the sound reverberating through the room and making all of us flinch in unison.