Chapter 6

Ms. Young and the design team staff were already waiting in the conference room.

Today's meeting was to conduct an initial screening to determine if my and Yasmin's designs qualified for the fashion show.

Yasmin presented her work first - a bright red brocade gown. You could tell some effort went into it, but not much.

Ms. Young still praised it effusively with exaggerated expressions and tone, then asked everyone for feedback.

It was clear no one wanted to offend this young heiress. They each took turns complimenting Yasmin's design with flowery words, no two people saying the same thing.

Yasmin could barely contain her smug smile. She turned to me triumphantly: "Aria's supposed to be a big shot designer who studied in New York for a year. I can't wait to see what masterpiece you'll present!"

The others laughed at her words. My resume was indeed the least impressive compared to theirs - they just wanted to see me make a fool of myself.

Unfazed, I connected my computer to the projector.

The moment I opened my design, the previously noisy conference room fell silent. Everyone held their breath, as if afraid to disturb the atmosphere.

"It's so beautiful!"

"Incredible!"

"Wow Aria, I had no idea you were this talented!"

...

People started whispering excitedly. Yasmin's face visibly darkened.

"Aria, this design looks familiar somehow. You didn't plagiarize it, did you?" Yasmin suddenly asked coldly.

"That's right, I feel like I've seen it somewhere too. You must have copied it!" Ms. Young quickly chimed in.

"That's impossible. I stayed up for days designing this myself. All the drafts are on my computer." I replied calmly.

"Really? I don't believe you. Show us the drafts then." Ms. Young sneered.

I opened my computer and pulled up the folder. The various draft versions were clearly visible.

"Ms. Young, these drafts were probably stolen together. Aria didn't even finish grad school, how could she have this level of skill!" Yasmin continued stirring things up. "We can't let these designs get out, it would ruin Blue Zenith's reputation!"

"You're right. Tina, delete all these files from Aria's computer!"

Tina responded and lunged for my computer.

"Don't you dare touch my designs!" I shouted. They all froze for a moment.

But they quickly recovered and three of them started fighting me for the computer.

"Let go, you b*tch!" Yasmin yelled as she grabbed at it.

"Let go, or I'll fire you right now!" Ms. Young snarled through gritted teeth.

"You try firing me and see what happens! How can Blue Zenith have someone like you? Is there no justice?" I shot back without hesitation.

SLAP! A stinging slap landed on my face, making me stumble. I lost my balance and fell to the ground.

A sharp pain shot through my abdomen, making me see stars. My heart clenched in fear.

The baby... my baby...

I fought through the pain, trying to stand up and get the computer back. I couldn't just watch helplessly as they destroyed my hard work!

But the physical pain prevented me from getting up no matter how hard I tried.

Just as they were about to delete the files, a thunderous shout came from the conference room door.

"STOP RIGHT THERE!"

Lucas strode in with my mother-in-law on his arm, followed by several bodyguards and assistants.

"What do you think you're doing?" Lucas's voice was ice cold as he quickly made his way to my side and helped me up.