The day began with fine caffeine, and the faint scent of suspicion, as I walked into a trap wrapped in fine designer marble.
The Lu Group's main building glimmered with its usual arrogance carved from glass.
Today the air was thicker buzzing with tension and perfume.
Various assistants walked around carrying sample fabrics and sketch rolls, their heels clicking like synchronized gunfire.
I watched my perfection reflection as it glided along the glass walls. Hmm... immaculate!
I had chosen a deep emerald pantsuit today. My outfit was tailored to perfection, the color rich against my porcelain skin.
I watched as my gold threaded cuffs shimmered as light kissed my wrists, and my black heels gleamed with quiet authority.
My long sleek hair was parted to the side, framing my face like a designer's dream come true.
'Hehe host. Your heart rate is elevated. You are terrified but pretending to be glamorous.'
"I hate that you are correct as usual," I muttered, stepping into the elevator.
"Remind me again, why did I agree to this?"
'Because host, vengeance looks better in stiches.'
The ride to the planned floor felt endless.
When the doors finally opened, an entire panel of Lu group's senior designers sat waiting.
At their center, the immaculate Lu Jinghao sat in gray.
'Why is everyone carrying the charisma of spreadsheets host?'
"Miss Jiang," he said, voice mimicking cold metal. "We can start."
Tsk. Rude. No greeting, or even a cup of coffee. Just straight doom.
The long table displayed bolts of fabric, chalk, scissors and an ancient sewing machine.
'That machine looks like it eats interns for breakfast.'
"Miss Jiang, you are required to design a complete concept using only the provided materials," Lu Jinghao explained. " Your time limit is one hour."
"One hour for a full prototype?" I asked with an eyebrow lifted.
"Well, time is the only pressure for truth," he replied simply.
"A designer of your level can easily adapt."
'Host that is code for I want to watch you sweat.'
"In that case," I said brightly. "Let's get this over with."
A few designers whispered as others smirked. Despite the number of people in the room, I was able to recognize trouble immediately.
Yu Feiyan, Jiang Ning's occasional shadow. She offered me a sweet smile but to me, it looked and smelled like poison.
As I approached the table, Lu Jinghao interface flickered beside my vision.
'Alert Host. Environmental scan complete. One of the fabric dyes contains an insane amount of reactive resin. This means that if exposed to heat, then there will be a quick meltdown.'
"Ohh...a booby trap on my silk?" I whispered in amusement. "Someone is trying to humiliate me."
'Either the Lu group's budget department hates you or someone is really trying to frame you.'
I kept my expression neutral. "Understood. Thank you Nova."
I felt Lu Jinghao's gaze follow my every move. His gaze made me feel like he was busy taking notes.
With precision, I started cutting. The trick with sudden sabotage was not to overthink but make the sabotage the highlight of the masterpiece.
Within minutes, the ancient sewing machine was at work, as I moved it faster than logic. Intended shapes took form as the threads blurred.
Halfway through, I felt the lights above the table warm. The resin tampered silk started reacting.
"Oh, Came too early but here we go," I muttered, as the fabric began to bubble.
Gasps immediately erupted around the room.
Stupid Yu Feiyan couldn't resist murmuring loudly, "Perhaps Phantom lacks technical control."
Thank heavens for stupid people. I can't wait to see her shocked expression later.
'Host, I am deploying body modulation plus charm trigger.'
"Go ahead Nova."
A rush of clarity suddenly flooded me, as my hands steadied.
My movements became deliberate and fluid.
As if the bubble wasn't a key issue, I snatched a pair of shears nearby, sliced away the damaged section, and continued.
"Miss Yu, this is improvised asymmetry," I said calmly.
"Always know how to control thermal stress. Any good designer does."
The crowd blinked, unsure on whether they should applaud me or mock me. By now, the molten edge had cooled into a craggy, beautiful gradient.
"Ladies and gentlemen, always know how to turn accidents into statements."
Lu Jinghao's eyebrow twitched which, for a cold stone like him, was equivalent to a standing ovation.
When the timer went off, I quietly stepped back.
On the mannequin stood a gown that looked like it carried rebellion and half ethereal. It looked like it was born from chaos. The gown was glowing where it should have burned and carried flaw.
Lu Jinghao approached, approval on his face as his fingertips grazing the hem.
"You managed," he said softly.
"Because I am Phantom."
He looked at me, studying me like I was a problem he couldn't solve.
Then, turning to his staff, he spoke in his usual arrogance.
" Go ahead and record the result. Everyone, clear the room."
They all scrambled out like birds sensing thunder.
In the big room, it was just him and me.
'Ohh host. You are left with the predator. Try kissing him maybe?'
He leaned against the table, maintaining eye contact.
"Someone tampered with your materials."
"Duh! Obviously."
"You knew?"
I shrugged in response. "When you have worked under Jiang Ning, sabotage is a daily seasoning."
That earned a small smile from him. "I see."
True to Nova's words, he circled me like a predator wearing an analytical look. "How many times have you been underestimated, Jiang Rui?"
"Enough to build generational wealth on."
"Good." His tone suddenly sharpened. "Keep your guard up. Always. Lu Group is not... gentle."
He picked up the gown again before speaking. "We will proceed with the collaboration. The Official announcement will be next week."
"And as for the person who planted the resin, I'll find them."
"Mmmh...Don't bother," I said, collecting my tools, ready for departure. "I already know the culprit and who sent them."
His gaze flicked back to me, curious. "Well, Do tell."
"Let's just say my sister's creativity goes beyond the runway."
For a heartbeat, silence reigned. Then he nodded once. "Good. I prefer my enemies in the open."
'Hehe host... he is hinting being on your side. He is either planning to weaponize you or the man is just intrigued. I bet on both.'
Before leaving, I looked back at him, contemplating for a moment before speaking. "By the way, your sewing machine acts like an ancient asshole."
A single eyebrow lifted in amusement. "So do I, when people dare to waste my time."
I grinned. "Perfect! I'm glad to know that we will get along great."
'Oh host...you do realize that you are flirting, right?'
I shut the elevator door before Nova could finish questioning me.
Back at the Jiang mansion, chaos reigned, as was the norm. Jiang Ning angrily slammed her laptop shut.
"How dare she turn my sabotage into art?!" she yelled. "Oh and the damn audience called it revolutionary, nothing like anything ever witnessed in the fashion industry!"
"Two million likes??"
"She stole my thunder!" She continued screaming."That fabric was supposed to collapse and humiliate her, not trend!"
"No need to swear Ningning. Just make the next strike cleaner. Use the major Lu event coming up. Public humiliation is always louder."
Jiang Ning's eyes gleamed with malice.
"Fine. She wants to be reborn that much? I will give her ashes."
By the time I reached home, exhaustion was weighing heavy on me. I I collapsed onto the couch.
'You have just had a drama intake overdose host. I'd recommend balancing it with some food.'
"Today has been victory with a side of trauma but oh well..."
"Make sure my Charm Trigger is always on. I want it ready in case Jiang Ning tries another stunt."
'Right away host. Just remember that anyone you come across will find you intimidatingly persuasive.'
"But I am already intimidatingly persuasive."
'Heh...such a narcissistic host you are.'
I laughed, rubbing my temples. "Tomorrow is guaranteed to be worse right?"
'That's to be expected but at least your outfit will slay.'
"Good enough."
Lu Jinghao stood alone in the design room, the "Ghost cut" gown displayed beneath soft lighting.
He carefully traced a seam, his hands gloved, coupled with an unreadable expression.
His assistant lingered at the doorway, wondering whether to speak or not.
"Speak."
"Chairman, should l send the incident report to security?"
"Hmm...No," He replied quietly. "Let it circulate. I want the world to see what happens when sabotage meets an innovative and cunning counterpart."
"And what about Phantom?"
Lu Jinghao gaze drifted to the city skyline.
"Just keep her schedule clear. I can see the industry coming for her throat."
'System Alert. External surveillance activity detected. Unknown person tracking Host Jiang Rui.'
'Host someone just tried to scan your information. I have blocked their attempt though.'
"Who?"
'The other party is unknown. But as long as I have them under my control, we will know sooner or later.'
"You'd better. I hate my enemies in the dark."
'Hehe...Welcome to modern fashion, darling. You either stitch to survive or die trying.'
The city outside hummed with the calmness only seen before a storm.
Somewhere out there, Jiang Ning was sharpening her claws, Lu Jinghao plotting his next move, and an unknown person poking at my information.
I stretched, smirking into the darkness. I just have to be ready for whatever.