Jiang Ning stared at her reflection for the tenth time that morning. She loved everything the mirror gave her.
Perfect contour, flawless skin, bright eyes to seduce and attract envy in equal measure.
But beneath the perfect gleam, there was an evident crack.
She slammed a drawer shut, catching the servants in the room unaware.
"She turned my trap into a trend, Mother! Do you understand what that means? She made me and other designers look unoriginal and dull!"
This time, her mother didn't even flinch. Not even when her expensive vase was shattered.
Years of dealing with Jiang Ning's theatrics had aught her that the more she showed emotions, the more her daughter would take advantage of her.
" Your temper is becoming Jiang Ning. This is not how I raised you." she said coolly. "If she's gaining recognition, we redirect it. It isn't hard controlling the narrative."
Jiang Ning paced. "Control it? How? The whole fashion industry is reposting her gown. The Lu Group's page also shared it."
Her father, looked up from his tablet. "Then everything is not a coincidence," he said.
"Wherever Lu Jinghao is there is influence. He must have approved that post personally."
Jiang Ning froze. "You mean to say that he is the reason..."
"....that she is trending ?" Father Jiang finished. "Maybe. Maybe not. But her phantom persona is dangerous. There is insider information that European brands are already inquiring about her."
That made Jiang Ning's pulse stutter. "European? Which ones father?"
"Maison B. Opal, and even Chic blossom." he replied, tapping the screen. "You should not let her rise."
Jiang Ning sighed shakily. "Then I will ruin her."
"Careful, girl. You have already tried to but it backfired spectacularly."
Jiang Ning whirled toward her mother. "But that is because I didn't know she would survive my sabotage."
"Now what?" her mother asked casually. "Are you going to perhaps poison her coffee?"
Jiang Ning stood still, allowing the silence to strech. Then, as if she had come up with a genius idea, her lips curled.
"Something different. Since she likes standing out, why not give her a spotlight that burns?"
Meanwhile in my bed, I woke up to Nova's voice whispering directly into my dreams.
'Emergency update host. You are being mentioned in the fashion forums again.'
I groaned into my pillow. "It's Jiang Ning's fan club, right?"
'Unfortunately not. You have been nominated for the Fashion spark Award.'
I blinked, still half asleep. "Isn't that a good thing?"
'Well, partly. The award show is Sponsored by Opal. The judging panel includes Lu Jinghao, three other critics who act like they hate oxygen and...Jiang Ning. Daddy must have pulled some hard strings for her.'
"…So, it's chaos."
'Exactly. You are trending at numbers 1,2 and 5. Some think you are an AI.'
"Great. It has always been my dream to be accused of being non human before breakfast." I threw off my blanket as I murmured grudgingly.
'Hehe...my pleasure.'
By noon, I was back at the Lu group building, except it was now filled with paparazzi stationed outside. The moment I stepped out of the car, flashes went off. Great...
"Miss Jiang Rui! Are you really Phantom?"
"Miss! Is it true your collections were plagiarized by your sister?"
"Did you and Lu Jinghao have any ties while you were still under Jiang Fashion house?"
I turned, smiled sweetly, and said, "Yes, yes, and no comment."
'Good game host. That will keep them guessing for days.'
Inside the building, the lobby buzzed like a restless hive. Assistants carried gossip like accessories while designers whispered as I passed.
The air tasted of pure curiosity.
I was halfway to the elevator when someone suddenly called, "Jiang Rui!"
I turned, truly a tragic afternoon meeting such a nuisance.
Yu Feiyan again, but this time, she was dressed like a swan with a personal vendetta.
"The chairman is waiting for you upstairs, to discuss your nomination" she said sweetly.
'This might be a trap host.'
I grinned back at her. "Then, Lead the way."
In Jiang Ning's penthouse, the key part of her plan was unfolding.
She sat cross legged on a pink couch and across the seat, sat a perfumer mixing vials.
The air smelled like death wrapped up as a flower bouquet.
"....are you sure this won't kill?" she asked, watching the lavender liquid swirl.
The perfumer smirked in response. "It is not poison Miss Jiang. This is just persuasion. When sprayed in a closed space, it immediately triggers confusion and dizziness... The perfect tool for accidental humiliation."
Jiang Ning smiled. " Good girl. Perfect! I will deliver it as a gift."
Just as she said this, her phone buzzed. A notification popped up from her PR head. She opened the message to:
"Boss Jiang Rui has confirmed attendance at tomorrow's award ceremony."
She quickly typed back:
"Understood. Let us make it unforgettable for our little ghost."
Her mother's voice suddenly sounded from the other room. "Make sure you don't get caught darling."
"Don't worry mother," Ning murmured. "She will just look…a bit unwell."
On my end, I sat in the absurdly long conference room, with the head of the table occupied by the vice president, Mr Zhao.
The man looked like he was sculpted from expensive suits and ego. Tsk.
"Miss Jiang," he spoke, folding his hands. "Your hands have attracted attention. Both Good and bad."
I smiled slightly. "Yeah. Publicity is never polite."
He chuckled. "You are speaking like an expert. Anyway, I have reviewed your contract proposal. The board wants to leverage AUREA ATELIAR for a limited collaboration under Lu Group."
"That's not a problem," I said. "As long as I maintain and have FULL creative control."
"Creative control," he echoed his expression changing into a frown.
'There it goes host. He isn't genuine.'
Before I could reply, the door opened and Lu Jinghao stepped in.
His gaze flicked to me, unreadable and a bit possessive. "She will have full creative control," he said, occupying the chair beside me.
Vice president Zhao frown deepened.
" But Chairman, that's irregular."
"And so is talent," Lu Jinghao replied flatly. "I do not prefer mediocrity, real talent must be recognized."
'Aaaand... boom! Perfect dominance display'
I tried not to grin at Nova's words.
"Gentlemen, I am fine negotiating without bloodshed."
Lu Jinghao's lip twitched. "You seem to be enjoying this."
"Immensely."
The meeting dragged on another hour before the papers were signed. As I left, Nova alerted me.
'Host, there is an incoming parcel delivery request at your office. Your sister is the sender.'
I blinked in surprise. "She really sent me a gift?"
'I guarantee it's a biochemical hazard wrapped in fine silk.'
"Go ahead and scan it."
'Yes host, right away...Oh...damn. It is spiked.'
"With what?"
'A copy of an inhalant that causes disorientation, short term amnesia and nausea.'
My smile suddenly sharpened. "Oh, she really is desperate for a show."
That evening, I met the parcel at my studio. The box was wrapped in lilac, my sister's signature shade.
With it came a card that read,
"Congratulations phantom. May your second fall be even more spectacular."
'Damn...she didn't even pretend to be subtle.'
"Good," I said, opening the ateliar's interface.
"Nova, initiate 'the backfire Mode.'"
'Initiating. Shall I redirect the compound host?'
"Exactly. Slightly reduce the vial content and double the packaging."
'Done. So...are you sending it back?'
"Not really darling," I said sweetly. "I'm sending it to the award committee as a 'sponsor sample.'"
'OH you are Petty host!'
"Flattery accepted darling."
On the night before the ceremony, Jiang Ning stood in her dressing room, happily spraying perfume on her wrist.
The more she imagined about Jiang Rui collapsing mid interview, the sweeter her perfume smelled.
Her phone suddenly rang. It was her PR manager.
"Miss Jiang, we have a small issue. The committee says it received a perfume sample from you earlier today. They have decided on displaying it tomorrow as part of the scent sponsor lineup."
Her smile froze mid way. "What did you just say?"
"Oh, and they said you did a good job with the packaging. Therefore, you are being credited as one of the contributers."
Her heart dropped completely. "No... absolutely not... didn't I..."
She hung up on her PR, eyes wide with fear.
Her clueless assistant blinked from the corner. "Is something wrong miss?"
Jiang Ning's laugh came out thin, weak and cracked. "Nothing. Hehe... absolutely nothing."
Meanwhile, I was sprawled on my couch, my face masked, laptop open.
"Nova, do remind me to send some thank you flowers to Opal."
'The brand that nominated you?'
"No, the brand that accidentally trapped Jiang Ning in her own web."
Silence lingered for a moment before Nova spoke softly.
'You know Rui, you are handling this better than I estimated. You are emotionally stable, with minimal screaming.'
"Thanks. But that's because revenge is way cheaper than therapy."
'Fair enough. Be careful though. You are still walking into the territory of your enemies come tomorrow.'
"I know little one." I closed my laptop, looking out at the skyline. "And that is exactly why I have to look ethereal and flawless doing it."
While Nova and I were busy deep into different topics, Jiang Ning wasn't having a peaceful midnight.
Her phone exploded with dozens of notifications.
"Jiang Ning's signature Perfume debuts as Award Sponsor."
"Toxic Scent? Experts question major ingredient safety."
"Phantom's rival under fire for questionable ethics."
"A deep dive into Jiang's Fashion house illegals."
The headlines multiplied faster that her pulse couldn't even catch up.
Mr Jiang stormed into her room, waving his tablet in anger. "What have you done again?! The stock dropped by six percent!"
"But I...It really... I didn't mean...!" she stammered greatly.
Her mother rubbed her temples. "I think I told you to be careful. Now look at you, the poison is here. You will have to drink it."
Jiang Ning's knees hit the floor. "Absolutely not. She can't outdo me again. I won't let her!"
Her mother's gaze hardened. "Then stop acting like some scared amateur."
The words sliced sharper than glass.