Chapter 5

In the following days, I fully experienced what it meant to be kicked while I was down.

The media that used to praise me now published daily articles denouncing me.

My former peers avoided me.

Even some students I had mentored publicly distanced themselves from me.

I had become a pariah.

Meanwhile, Serena Miller stepped over my ruined career and became the design world's hottest "genius."

Although Hayes Corporation went bankrupt, Serena quickly latched onto another powerful connection — Asher Thorne, the second son of the Thorne family, one of the most prominent dynasties on the East Coast.

To win her favor, Asher poured money into Serena's new personal brand. He also announced that Serena would represent the country at the Global Young Designers Competition in Paris next month.

That was the dream of every designer.

It was also the goal I had prepared for for three years.

I slammed the newspaper onto the table.

"Angry?" Jaxson came out of the kitchen with a plate of a sandwich and placed it in front of me. "Eat."

I looked at the a sandwich. I had no appetite.

"Jaxson, I want to enter that competition." I looked up, my eyes determined.

Jaxson raised an eyebrow and sat down. "You don't even have the qualifications. How will you enter?"

"I can apply through a wild card." I gritted my teeth. "If I can get a recommendation letter from an international judge, I can compete."

"International judge?" Jaxson scoffed. "Your reputation is so bad now. Who would write you a letter?"

"I will see Master Charles." I took a deep breath. "He saw my work before and admired it. If I can show him my new designs, he will help me."

Master Charles was a titan in the global fashion industry and the chief judge for this competition. He happened to be on vacation in the country.

Jaxson looked at me.

"Are you sure you want to go?"

"I have to." I clenched my fists. "This is my only chance."

Jaxson said nothing more.

The next day, carrying the design sketches I had drawn overnight, I arrived at Master Charles's hotel.

But I couldn't even get past the main entrance.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Miller. Master Charles isn't seeing anyone." The hotel manager coldly blocked me.

"I just need ten minutes. Five minutes will do." I pleaded.

"Chloe Miller, have you no shame?"

A sharp voice came from behind me.

I turned around and saw Serena Miller, arm-in-arm with Asher Thorne, walking over.

Serena was wearing a custom-made gown, her makeup perfect.

"Chloe, you have been blacklisted. Why are you still here making a scene?" Serena walked up to me. "Master Charles is about to see me. Leave now so you don't dirty his eyes."

I glared at her. "Serena Miller, you stole my work. Don't you have nightmares?"

"Stole? Do you have proof?" Serena giggled. "Now the whole internet knows that you, Chloe Miller, plagiarized me. You are a failure."

Asher Thorne also looked at me with disgust. "Security, get this woman out of here."

Several security guards grabbed my arms and dragged me outside.

My design sketches scattered on the floor, trampled underfoot.

"Let me go!" I struggled, tears streaming down my face.

Just then, a black Maybach pulled up at the hotel entrance.

The door opened, and a pair of long legs stepped out.

Jaxson King.

Today, he wasn't wearing a faded T-shirt. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit.

His hair was combed. He exuded an undeniable nobility.

He walked toward me and kicked away the security guard holding me.

"Who gave you the right to touch her?"