Rebirth: Love me Again

Chapter 197 The Threads of Deception

At this point, Astrid Valencière's fame had skyrocketed seemingly overnight with the release of her Winter Collection.

The fashion world was ablaze with praise, hailing it as the most innovative and enchanting collection of the year. Every piece carried a whimsical charm, blending fantasy-inspired elements with modern elegance—a striking departure from Astrid's usual style.

Yet, behind the scenes, things were far from the glittering image being presented to the world.

For years, Astrid's name had been fading into obscurity. Her designs, once considered groundbreaking, had grown stale. Critics whispered that her creativity had waned, and her collections no longer sparked the excitement they once did. She had tried everything—new partnerships, bold color palettes, even risky materials—but nothing seemed to work. It was as if the industry had moved on, leaving her behind.

Just as she was on the verge of desperation, Sophia Rosette had appeared, almost like a savior, bearing a portfolio of designs.

But these weren't Sophia's creations—they were Hyun's. How she had come into possession of them, Astrid didn't ask. She didn't care. All she saw was an opportunity to reclaim her dwindling relevance.

The designs were nothing short of genius, embodying a unique blend of fantasy and innovation that Astrid could only dream of creating herself.

However, there was a catch: time. With only weeks before the Winter Collection's debut, they had to make compromises. Many of the designs had to be simplified or scrapped entirely to meet the deadline. Even so, what they managed to produce was nothing short of extraordinary.

The show was a smashing success. The collection was hailed as "groundbreaking," "ethereal," and "visionary."

Astrid's name, once a fading echo in the fashion world, now blazed like wildfire across the industry. Magazines scrambled to feature her, influencers gushed over her pieces, and critics lauded her sudden creative renaissance.

But not everyone was celebrating. Behind the applause, there were murmurs of confusion.

"By planting the blame on Eve without directly accusing her, her reputation is now in tatters. And as for that useless designer? I can practically hear him scrambling in panic! Ahahaha! There's no way he'll dare showcase his collection now that Astrid has already paraded those designs. Unless he wants the public to brand him a plagiarist, he's finished."

At the edge of the room, Sophia sat poised with an air of satisfaction, a cruel smirk tugging at her lips. "I told you to trust me, darling. People like them are laughably simple to destroy. A single whisper in the right ears, and the right money, and they're already drowning in scandal."

She swirled the wine in her glass, the deep red liquid catching the light like blood. "And Astrid has already arranged for the winter collection to be gifted to your classmates, just as promised. Imagine their delight when they see they're wearing pieces from the most celebrated designer of the season. Why would they ever need Hyun's pitiful creations now? Astrid reigns supreme, and they'll lap it up like the obedient sheep they are."

Sophie's eyes sparkled with malicious glee. "You're brilliant, Mother. My classmates will be over the moon. And best of all, that puny designer will be humiliated once he showed up with the same collection as Astrid. Serves him right for denying us. And Eve . . . Ahahaha. That girl will never show her face again." She laughed, her voice sharp and cold, echoing through the room like a victorious battle cry.

Sophia leaned back, her tone laced with a sinister calm. "Exactly as planned, my dear. The higher they climbed, the harder they were destined to fall. And we made sure this fall will be unforgettable."

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|| A/N ||

Hey Lovelies! ????

In the next chapter, we'll be shifting the focus to the other female leads, as not much happens with Eve at this point until the Winter Collection unfolds.

Before wrapping up this arc and diving into the next one, we'll introduce the other FLs for just two to four chapters, then jump back to Eve's story. Stay tuned!

Thank you all so much for your incredible support—it means the world to me! ????

ପ꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ଓ ????