'There is an alert host. Jiang Ning has requested an emergency meeting with the Fashion council's board. Her topic is a plagiarism investigation against you.'
I froze, halfway through wearing my sandals.
" So she's trying to pull a scandal on me?"
'Affirmative.'
My reflection in the mirror smiled, cold sharp, amused, without a trace of calm.
"Fine. Let her try," I replied, removing my earrings.
"I think it is time the world remembers who stitched her fame together."
'Ouu. That's my host! May I queue dramatic background music?'
"That will come later but for now," I said, grabbing a glass of wine. "Queue the headlines. They will be fire."
Without needing to guess, my phone was already on fire the next morning.
Ping. Ping. Ping.
Notification after notification, each one wrapped like a stab of chaos.
#PhantomScandal
#PhantomPlagiarizesDesigns
#JiangRuiExposed
I sipped my espresso, scrolling lazily.
"Tsk! They should at least use my flattering photos." I muttered.
'You wish. The internet prefers drama to accuracy host. Ninety percent of comments are from people who can't even hold a needle.
I smirked. " What about the other then?"
'People attacking and defending you.They are calling you hot while trying to cancel you.'
"Hmm...Balance." I replied with a sigh, setting my cup down.
The article causing the stir came from Fashion voyage, Jiang Ning's favorite pr mouthpiece.
"Phantom accused of Fraud? Prodigy Phantom or fraud Phantom? Jiang Ning's sister and Former assistant accused of theft."
Below the headline were photos, one of her in a gown I had designed three years ago, the other a blurry image of my latest sketch.
'Host, you can counterattack with a new design in the next 24 hours. Or would you like to go for a public roast?'
"Neither," I said, standing. "You know I prefer precision."
I quickly changed out of my silk robe and slipped into a red power suit that looked like it was cut from vengeance itself.
A suit with sharp shoulders, glossy buttons and a nipped waist. Or what most say, snatched waist.
My hair was in loose waves and my lips, you don't have to guess the color.
If they craved my attention so bad, I will give them the drama with accurate precision.
By the time I got to the Fashion Council building, the lobby was already swarming with cameras.
Flashes exploded like fireworks threatening to kill.
"Miss Jiang Rui, do you have any comments?"
"Did you really steal your sister's sketches?"
'Host. Would you like me to release the receipts from your archived designs dated years before hers?'
"Not yet," I said calmly, walking through the noise, looking all unbothered and cold.
"Let her rejoice first. You know I love it when she chokes on her own actions."
'Hehe...got it host.'
Inside, the meeting was already in session, with Jiang Ning seated confidently at the table, her crocodile tears running through.
When she saw me, she stood up, pretending to be surprised.
"Jiang Rui...Sister... you are here! I wasn't sure you would come."
"Oh sister, you know I never miss free entertainment," I replied sweetly.
Her PR manager cleared his throat, clearly wanting to get done with things immediately.
"Let's begin. Miss Jiang, your claim..."
Ning's voice trembled with practiced innocence. "I have discovered multiple similarities between my designs and those released under Phantom. Out of respect for our industry, I just couldn't stay silent."
Everyone nodded gravely, all except two men sitting in the corner, arms crossed.
Lu Jinghao.
Huang Zeming.
Lu Jinghao's expression was unreadable, but his aura and gaze was all ice.
For the first time since knowing him, Huang Zeming wore an equally cold expression. Strange...
'Caution host. Your predator is in observation mode.'
I ignored it and turned to the panel.
"Accusations should come alongside evidence."
Jiang Ning's assistant hurriedly displayed two images on the projector her gown versus my newest sketch.
The murmurs began, getting louder within seconds.
I waited exactly thirty seconds before taking out my tablet.
"Hmm...how funny," I said, connecting it to the screen. "If you can all check the timestamp, and the original registration in my digital design archive, if you are not blind, then you will notice my version existed exactly 10 months before Miss Jing's."
Gasps, murmers.
My sister blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"But that can't..."
"Oh, it very much can," I replied with a smile.
"You see darling, this happens when you spend years using someone else's creativity as your own. You forget people keep receipts."
'Ouu...that was painful host!'
I caught Lu Jinghao's lips twitching, not quite a smile, but something close.
One of the judges leaned forward, his expression grave. "Miss Jiang, is this true?"
Jiang Ning stammered.
"I..It must be an error..."
"Or maybe your karma came early," I joked lightly.
The room buzzed with whispers as her PR manager visibly paled.
Lu Jinghao stood then, adjusting his cufflinks.
"I think we have concluded this matter," he said in a tone that held no argument. "Miss Jiang Rui, expect an official apology from the Council and Miss Jiang Ning."
My sister's jaw clenched, hands fisted.
I leaned closer to her as everyone left the room. "Next time darling sister," I whispered, "up your stealing game."
Outside, the press was obviously waiting. But this time, it was my playground.
"Miss Jiang Rui! Are you suing your sister?"
"Are you and Mr. Lu working together against Jiang Ning?"
"Is this your form of revenge?"
I smiled at the cameras before speaking.
"In my world, revenge implies I was hurt," I said, sliding on my shades. "I am just a business woman working."
'Perfect quote host! Ten out of ten. This has a high potential for trending.'
"Good," I murmured back." Just make sure that this time round they get my name right, and use my most flattering images."
By late afternoon, I was back at my studio. As usual , my space smelled like vindication and fabric.
My assistant Rumei was practically vibrating with excitement.
"President, you broke the internet again! President Lu Jinghao has reposted your defense statement!"
I froze in shock. "He what now??"
She showed me her phone, practically shoving it in my face.
Sure enough, on Lu Jinghao's official account was my statement, with a simple caption.
"Authenticity needs no defense."
'Hmm...The tyrant shows appreciation. So...are we panicking or rejoicing?'
"Neither," I replied. "We are keeping receipts for the future."
But my traitorous heart, skipped once. Just once...or so I convinced myself.
It didn't take me long to process the whole situation because Huang Zeming called next.
" Hey scandal survivor!" he greeted me cheerfully. " Would you mind celebrating not being grilled?"
"I do mind."
"Come on, Jiang Rui. You know I am not a bad person, right?"
I laughed at myself, or him. I really don't know, I just laughed.
"Fine. One drink. No shady grounds."
"Deal. I'll send the car."
The restaurant was nothing but glass and gold. Huang Zeming was already there, all dimples, smiles and trouble.
"You look lethal," he said when I sat down.
"So I've been told."
'Host not fair! He is stealing my vocabulary! Hmph!'
Huang Zeming raised his glass. " Here is to clearing your name and making the industry bow to you."
I clinked his glass in response."To smarter enemies."
"Careful what you wish for."
We laughed, but midway through dessert, I caught a familiar face entering the restaurant.
Lu Jinghao.
His expression didn't change upon seeing me. He was...just… assessing.
He walked past the table without a word, but his gaze lingered on me, a second longer than necessary.
Zeming smirked. "Interesting...he has been glaring at me since the council meeting. Do you think he's jealous?"
"Mr Lu doesn't invest. Jealousy requires emotional investment and him?"
"He acquires. Never the opposite."
My reply came out dryer than I intended it to be.
'And that is where you are wrong host. He is jealous.'
"Shut up Nova," I irritatingly muttered under my breath.
"What?" Zeming asked.
"Nothing much," I replied smoothly. "Just a mental note."
Later, when I got home, my notifications exploded again. I should be used to this by now.
Lu Jinghao's post, the one defending me, had gone viral.
Different fashion brands and houses were issuing apologies for rushing to judge me.
Jiang Ning's PR firm had gone suspiciously silent.
'You won today host.'
"I know," I whispered back.
'But he's still watching you.'
I froze. "Who is watching me?"
'Lu Jinghao. I can detect it. All the way from his building.'
I turned toward the window, with the city lights gleaming in the glass.
For some unknown reason, I smiled.
"Then, if he wants to watch," I said softly, "I will give him the best shows."