The world shifted that night, everything exploded.
Not once had I thought that I would one day go from Jiang Rui, assistant to Jiang Ning to Phantom, owner of AUREA ATELIAR.
By the next morning, I had received intel that a lot of reporters wanted to interview me.
Instead of brushing them off, I chose to address them. And just like that, I once again became the face of the storm.
The press conference was therefore scheduled for noon.
Outside the chosen venue, multiple camera vans and luxury cars lined up the streets like trophies.
The paparazzi had swarmed the building next to my studio, now owned by me, shoving their microphones forward as if close proximity could guarantee my response.
Inside, calm reigned. Or at least, that's the impression there was.
I stood in front of the mirror, with Rumei helping me fasten a single diamond stud in my left ear.
My reflection stared back at me, all calm and unbothered. My burgundy dress clung to my frame beautifully, with each movement catching the light.
I had my hair swept in a chignon, with some strands framing my face, slightly softening the sharpness on my face.
'You look lethal host. I might overheat trying to keep up with your beauty.'
"Behave Nova."
'I can't. I'm trying...struggling even.'
I smiled faintly at my system's reply.
The door was suddenly knocked and another assistant rushed in.
"Boss. Assistant Rumei, everyone is ready. Every major network is here."
"Got it. Let them wait another minute," I replied, steadily reaching for my red lipstick. The shade was not too loud, just precise, but it was enough to command people.
When I finally stepped onto the stage, the original chaotic room stilled.
Rows of cameras turned to me.
Flashes burst.
Everyone rushes to ask a question, making the scene unbearable to my eyes.
I couldn't stand it and raised one hand. In a graceful and commanding manner, silence immediately reigned.
"Good afternoon everyone. My name is Jiang Rui, also known as Phantom." I began, my voice as steady as high quality crystal.
"This is the first press conference I am holding,and I hope it will be the last in regards to my identity."
"Every single piece I have created is under my name. I am not saying this for pity, or fame but because I believe real art should be free from deceit and suspicion." My gaze swept across the room, sharp and clear.
"We all know what happens when truth is buried under greed. As a passionate designer, I am just here to unearth it."
A few jaws dropped, with gasps here and there.
Others scribbled furiously.
I let my eyes scan the room, and somewhere near the back, I saw them. My stepmother, and Jiang Ning, the so called great designer, cowered up, watching from the shadows like the thiefs they were.
I saw how her lips twisted with mockery and disbelief. Her presence didn't discourage or scare me. Instead, it made me feel elated.
Imagine spending years milking off someone's hardwork, only to be left with a cracked tiara before the same people who called you a prodigy and worshipped your talent.
Yeah, I'd be mad too!
I smiled back at her, slow, deliberate and equally provoking.
'Host you will flatline her ego if you continue like this... hehe..'
Good.
Thankfully, the reporters were cooperative and the press didn't take me that long.
It was a relief because I still had a meeting with Lu Jinghao.
My team blocked off any rowdy reporters, as Rumei shielded me towards the private exit.
Once inside my car, I could spot the waiting crowd. From fans, to critics, to curious onlookers, they were all craning their necks just to get a glimpse of the woman who had turned an entire industry upside down.
'Host, #Phantom has hit 3.5 million mentions in 24 hours. Congratulations, her highness. Should I perhaps order more bodyguards or popcorn?'
"Neither," I muttered, steadying up my dress. "Let them talk. I have a fabric to test and a tyrant to meet."
'Hehe...are we talking about the darling or the terrifying one?'
"Both," I sighed.
The "terrifying one" was, of course, Lu Jinghao .
As much as he had been tolerant of my attitude in the past few encounters, I know better than to underestimate him.
To the fashion world and the country at large, he is the man who could turn a runway to ice just by walking through it.
'Perhaps he is interested in you host?'
"As if!"
The charming one, who I had just met yesterday for a short period of time is none other than Huang Zeming.
A creative director with the looks of a heartbreak and the energy of a storm...I knew I was going to in for a deep dive the moment a meeting was set up.
By 4 p.m., I was seated in Lu Jinghao's office.
He leaned against his desk, eyes unreadable, with sleeves sexily rolled to the elbow.
His gaze flicked over me, from my dress, down to my body and back to my face.
"You dress like you are daring the world to look away."
"Because I am."
He almost smiled. ALMOST. "Then you should stop pretending you don't like the attention that comes with it."
I blinked, clearly amused, as I leaning back slightly. "And you stop pretending you are not giving it...to me"
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The tension was thick enough to tailor an Italian suit.
'Hehe...'
Then he spoke, interrupting the rising tension "I want to offer you another collaboration.One that won't involve the Lu group."
My heart skipped bits, but before I could respond, the door burst open.
And in walked the charming one, Huang Zeming, all sunshine and chaos wrapped in an Italian suit. Great. I should have foreseen this fool in an Italian suit the moment I thought of it earlier.
"Ohh, I hope I am not interrupting," he said, flashing a grin that could melt the snow.
"I overheard the mighty designer everyone has been talking about was here. I couldn't resist dropping by."
Lu Jinghao's jaw tightened in annoyance. "You don't just 'drop by' uninvited into my office, Zeming."
"Heey! Relax, Jinghao," Huang Zeming replied easily, walking closer to my chair. "Are we all not friends here?"
Then, he turned his attention to me, scanning me for a while before speaking, that dazzling smile still on his face.
"Jiang Rui, nice to meet you...again. Our encounter was brief last night, but I'll let you know that I have been following your work since before it was cool to do so."
'Host, his flirting levels are clearly above safe threshold. Should I pop that balloon?'
"No need," I murmured back internally, my lips curving. "I can handle him just fine."
Out loud, I spoke with clear amusement.
"Careful now Mr. Huang. I might think you are yet another fanboy."
"Oh darling, I am much worse," he replied without missing a beat. "I am a fanboy with massive connections."
Lu Jinghao's expression didn't change, but the temperature of the room seemed to have dropped by a couple of degrees.
"Zeming, don't you have your own event to run and ruin?" Lu Jinghao asked candidly.
The man being questioned gave a light laugh in response.
"Come on Jinghao. Don't be jealous. You had access to her first...I mean...your meetings."
The audacity of these two men made me cough and laugh at the same time.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen" I said, standing. "At least make it entertaining if you are going to fight for my attention."
Huang Zeming's grin widened, as Lu Jinghao just looked at me, eyes glinting with some emotion I couldn't name.
"I'll let you know that I don't fight for attention," he finally spoke. "I demand it."
"Then you will find I don't give it easily," I replied, without missing a beat.
'Aaaaah! Just kiss already!!!'
For a brief second, our eyes locked, predator and prey in perfect sync, before I picked up the folder he provided.
"Thank you for the offer, Mr. Lu," I said, bowing my head slightly. "I will consider it."
"You already have Phantom," he murmured.
I didn't answer. I walked out.
The hallway outside gave off a warm feeling but that ended when Huang Zeming caught up with me in long strides.
"Do you always make Presidents look like they're about to lose their composure?" he asked cheerfully.
"That is only when they start it," I replied.
He laughed, following me into the elevator. "Jokes aside, I am serious about working with you. My next collection could use your presence. Imagine this, Huang Zeming x Phantom."
'Statistically speaking host, collaboration offers after public exposure have a 60% chance of ulterior motives.'
"Oh, I am imagining it," I whispered under my breath. "I just don't see you in the picture."
"Come again?" Zeming asked.
"Nothing Mr Huang," I replied smoothly, glancing at his reflection. "But I will think about it."
He leaned against the elevator wall, smiling like someone used to getting all he wanted.
"Please do so. But don't think too long as someone might beat me to it."
I didn't answer him as I immediately stepped out the moment the elevator dinged. What I didn't notice was his strong, unreadable gaze on my back. A gaze far from the charming appearance he wore all day.
By evening, the fashion world was still buzzing.
Jiang Rui was back.
Lu Jinghao wanted her.
Huang Zeming wanted her.
And Jiang Ning… well, she wanted her erased, gone.
Which was exactly why Nova pinged again as I stepped into my apartment.