Chapter 4

The news of my comeback hit the jewelry industry like a bomb.

I posted an update on my new Instagram account: “Independent Designer Windsor. See you at the International Jewelry Design Gala next month.”

The post included a sketch of a stunning, unfinished jewelry design.

Within thirty minutes, the media went wild. The "secret genius" of R-H was finally stepping into the spotlight.

Meanwhile, in the CEO office at R-H Jewelry, the atmosphere was tense.

Raphael stared at his phone, his face pale with anger. He slammed the device onto his desk.

How dare she challenge him so openly!

Participating in the Gala? She was dreaming.

He picked up the office phone and spoke coldly. "Tell all our suppliers and manufacturers. Anyone who helps Windsor gets blacklisted by R-C."

He wanted to see how she would compete without any resources.

The door opened, and Hailey walked in, holding a cup of coffee. Her eyes were red.

"Raphael, is Windsor still mad at me? Everyone online is talking about her..."

Raphael's expression softened, and he pulled her into his arms. "Don't worry about her. She’s been sitting at home for too long and doesn't know how the real world works."

"I'm giving you all our best resources for this Gala. You’re our star. Just show them your work, and the industry will fall at your feet."

Hailey nodded sweetly, but when Raphael looked away, panic filled her eyes.

Her own work? She didn't have any!

For years, her "genius" reputation was built entirely on stealing Windsor's old sketches. Now that Windsor had wiped the company drive, she couldn't even draw a basic line.

The competition was in a few weeks. She couldn't afford to be exposed.

Late that night, in the empty R-H design department, Hailey slipped into my old workspace and searched through the drawers.

Finally, in the deepest corner of a locked cabinet, she found an old, dusty envelope.

She tried Raphael’s birthday as the passcode. It clicked open.

Inside was a beautiful sketch of a necklace. The lines were bold, modern, and perfect for the Gala's theme.

Hailey smiled greedily and quickly took pictures with her phone.

The next afternoon, Hailey updated her Instagram:

“Midnight inspiration. Can’t wait to show you my new piece, 'First Love'.”

She posted a blurred 3D model of the design alongside a cute selfie.

The comments were flooded with praise from her fans and PR bots.

In my downtown studio, Sophia slammed her tablet onto my desk, laughing mockingly.

"Look at this! Raphael is trying to blacklist you, while Hailey is posting another stolen design."

I glanced at the screen, and my eyes narrowed.

Then, I leaned back in my chair and let out a cold laugh.

"Do you recognize it?" Sophia asked quickly.

"Oh, I do," I said, tapping the desk. "It's a discarded draft of mine from five years ago."

Back then, I wanted to try combining carbon fiber with diamond settings. But after testing it, I realized the structure was highly unstable at room temperature. It would break easily.

To prevent anyone else from making the same mistake, I had filed a hidden patent for the failed design and thrown the sketch in the trash.

I didn't expect Hailey to be so desperate that she’d dig through my garbage.

"Let her make it," I said, taking a sip of my coffee. "The higher she climbs, the harder she'll fall."

I couldn't wait to see her face when it fell apart on stage.