Rebirth: Love me Again

[EVE]

My stomach sank like a stone.

First Sullivan, and now them? Really? Was the universe just throwing them in my path for sport?

Sophia, with her perfect blonde waves and razor-sharp smirk, was casually flipping through a fashion catalog, looking like she'd walked straight out of a magazine herself.

Beside her, Sophie sat cross-legged, eyes scanning the room like a hawk surveying its prey. Their matching designer outfits—no doubt custom-tailored—spoke volumes about them wanting to stand out.

I hesitated, my heels clicking against the polished floor. Of all the places, of all the days, why now?

My grip tightened on my bag as I considered my options. Walking out wasn't one of them—this was my studio and why should I leave? But pretending not to notice them felt equally impossible.

Sophie's eyes darted up first, locking onto me like a missile targeting its mark. A slow, smug smile spread across her face as she elbowed her mother. They both straightened, their movements synchronized in a way that only added to the air of intimidation surrounding them.

I squared my shoulders and forced a polite smile onto my face, determined not to let them rattle me.

"Eve, wha are you doing here?" Sophia asked blocking my path.

"I have a meeting with Hyun," I answered coolly, brushing past Sophie's piercing glare.

"Meeting?" she sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. "Are you going to spend Grandfather's money again to buy his dresses? Or wait—did you come here to gift dresses to our classmates like I planned to? Can't you come up with something original for once instead of copying me?"

I kept my expression neutral, though the temptation to smirk was hard to resist. "Copy you?" I replied, my tone as sharp as a blade. "I couldn't care less about your little plans, Sophie. Unlike you, I don't need to buy anyone's approval to be accepted."

Her face turned crimson, her indignation bubbling to the surface. "What do you mean by that?"

Before I could respond, Sophia stepped in. "Eve," she said, her tone laced with a mock concern that didn't fool me for a second. "I heard you went to QuantumLyfe's building yesterday. And you met Sullivan, didn't you?"

I shrugged, pretending not to notice the suspicious glint in her eyes. "Yeah. What of it?"

Sophia's lips curled into a forced smile as she pressed on. "Did you meet Michael Blair?" she asked, leaning forward as if she were extracting a confession. "Sullivan mentioned it. What exactly did you say to him? Because ever since then, Mr. Blair has refused to meet with Sullivan. What did you do, Eve?"

Stay connected with empire

Her accusatory tone struck a nerve, but I wasn't about to give her the satisfaction of seeing me flinch. I raised an eyebrow, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make her squirm.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I replied, my voice calm but firm. Of course, I'd banned those fools. Did they really think I'd let someone like Sullivan become a part of QuantumLyfe after what he'd done to me? Dream on.

Sophia's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I'm warning you, Eve. Tell me what you did to Mr. Blair—or else . . ."

I tilted my head, feigning curiosity. "Or else what?"

Beside her, Sophie smirked, crossing her arms like she'd won some imaginary battle. "Or else we'll spread rumors," she said with a sickly-sweet venom.

"Rumors?" I repeated, my voice dripping with mock amusement. "About me and Mr. Blair?"

Sophie's smirk widened as she leaned in, clearly enjoying her moment. "Do you think we're blind, Eve? Refusing to meet my father right after you had a private meeting with Michael Blair? It's obvious what you did. You must have used

that body of yours

to entice him—just like you've done with Grandfather."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The insinuation was laughable, and I couldn't stop the scoff that escaped me. "So, let me get this straight," I said, locking eyes with her. "Because I'm a woman who had a meeting with a man, you've already decided I used my body to get what I wanted?"

Neither of them answered, but their smug expressions said enough.

"You know," I continued, my voice turning icy, "if you're going to accuse someone, at least bring some real evidence. Not whatever flimsy assumptions you're clinging to."

Sophia's gaze hardened as she straightened up. "We don't need evidence. Circumstantial proof is more than enough."

I couldn't help but laugh at that, the sound echoing in the tension-filled lobby. "Circumstantial evidence? Is that what you're banking on? Good luck with that," I said, turning on my heel and heading toward the restricted area where Hyun's private office was located.

"Where do you think you're going?!" Sophie's shrill voice followed me. "You can't just walk in there like you own the place!"

I glanced back over my shoulder with a laugh. "Actually, I can." My smirk deepened as I added, "Don't worry, though. Once I'm done speaking with Hyun, you won't be stepping inside, either. Just like Sullivan. Oh, and be sure to send my regards to my brother,

sister-in-law.

"

Sophia's face turned as red as a ripe tomato, while Sophie stomped her feet in frustration. She turned to the staff, her voice rising in desperation. "Are you just going to let her walk in?!"

The receptionist gave her a polite but firm smile. "Mr. Wong has been expecting Miss Rosette. Please wait your turn."

"What?!" Sophie screeched, her voice grating on everyone's nerves. "But we've been waiting for weeks! How can you just let her in ahead of us?!"

Even as I walked down the hallway, their protests echoed behind me. I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face.

"Looks like I'll need to ban a few more people from this place," I muttered to myself, pushing open the door to Hyun's office without a second thought.

I found him hunched over a mountain of designs, completely absorbed in finalizing his collection. When I entered, he glanced up, and a smile spread across his face—warm and radiant, like the first light of spring.

"Eve . . . you're here."