Rebirth: Love me Again

Chapter 194 Battle for the Winter Line

[BONUS Chapter for reaching 50 GT! Thank you all!????]

===????===

[EVE]

"What's going on?" I asked softly, placing a hand on his back to calm him.

"It's terrible!" Hyun released me but didn't step far, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. The raw vulnerability in his expression tugged at something deep within me.

I wasn't usually one to be moved by someone crying, but seeing Hyun like this awakened an almost maternal instinct—a fierce need to protect him.

"Hyun, what happened?" I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the sinking feeling in my stomach.

"Our winter collection—" his voice cracked, and he clutched his head in frustration.

"What about it?" I pressed, dread curling around me.

Hyun met my gaze, his voice a mix of despair and anger. "It's been sabotaged, Eve. Everything we've worked for—it's ruined!"

"Huh? What? How?" My mind spun with questions as Hyun was clearly an emotional wreck. His face was flushed, tears streaming down his cheeks, and his breaths came in shallow gasps.

I knew I wouldn't get any clear answers from him like this, so I turned to Georgina, who stood calmly nearby, albeit with a shadow of concern in her eyes.

"Ruined?" I echoed, my voice rising with determination. "Not yet. Not while we still have options. Hyun, how many designs do you have left in the drafts? I remember that you have so many made right?"

His lips quivered, but he answered hesitantly, "I-I have about a dozen—pieces we didn't finalize or were going to save for next season. But . . . there's no way we have time to create an entirely new line before the winter launch! That's only five days left."

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, steadying him as much as I was steadying myself. "Then we'll make the impossible possible. If that means working day and night, so be it."

Turning to Georgina, my tone sharpened with resolve. "Hire additional staff if needed. Ask everyone to put in overtime and organize overnight shifts. And make it clear—we'll double their compensation and extend their winter vacations to show our gratitude."

"But with the holidays, finding extra labor—" she replied, her tone cautious. Continue reading stories on empire

"I don't care about the obstacles," I interrupted. "We're not backing down. This is our name, our reputation, and our work on the line. I don't care if Astrid Valencière is a giant in this industry—I'll be damned if we let her overshadow us without a fight."

The room grew silent, the gravity of the situation settling over us like a heavy fog. Then, with a renewed spark in his eyes, Hyun straightened. "I'll start refining the drafts immediately," he said with a determined nod.

Georgina gave me a small, approving smile. "I'll handle the logistics and make sure we have the resources we need. Whatever it takes, Eve, we'll make this happen."

I glanced at both of them, my chest swelling with pride despite the storm raging around us. "Good. Because this isn't just about saving our Winter Collection. It's about proving that no matter how many times we're knocked down, we'll always rise stronger."

The two nodded in unison, determination evident in their expressions, and we each sprang into action. Georgina stepped outside to manage the staff. Hyun returned to his desk, his hands moving so fast as he began sketching furiously.

Meanwhile, I stayed behind, phone in hand, dialing one number after another, determined to gather every resource we needed to pull this off.

I hadn't even made my first call when the studio door burst open with a loud bang, the sound reverberating through the room and making all of us flinch in unison.