The Glam gala finally came and the cameras flashes came at me like lightening.
They were fast and hungry.
Of course, that was to be expected.
When you walk into such a gala as Phantom, dressed in such a fine midnight blue gown that shimmered under the moonlight, the world had to look up in amazement.
I expected the attention, but I didn't expect the silence that followed.
Their gazes weren't just normal stares, they were calculated gazes.
From designers, to critics, to sponsors and even former heiresses who were once friends.
They were all trying to figure out how the once broken assistant hidden in her own sister's shadow was now co hosting the most exclusive fashion gala in the country.
That too, beside Huang Zeming.
"So..are you still breathing Phantom?" Huang Zeming murmured beside me, his voice a teasing whisper that the cameras captured.
"I am barely breathing," I replied, smiling for the photographers. "You know I can survive the heels and the hypocrisy. Oh, and the blinding flashes."
'Your heart rate is stable but your sass level is way above.'
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at my ever sarcastic Nova.
"I appreciate your analysis, Mr Sarcasm."
Huang Zeming chuckled at my expression.
"You look like you are having a conversation by yourself again."
"Of course. That is the only way to maintain my sanity in a room full of predators."
He grinned widened, but his sharp gaze swept over the crowd. This man has always played the charming fool, but I know he misses nothing.
Most especially the tension that was slowly building up in the room.
Because standing on the VIP balcony, half in the light and half in the shadow was Lu Jinghao.
Everytime I saw him I couldn't resist calling him new names because his aura intensified each time.
This is the man who had seen through me before anyone else could. I can't imagine the thought of China's youngest luxury mogul having his eyes on my activities.
Last time I heard, he was supposed to be out for a business trip, therefore, his name wasn't on the guest list.
But there he was, watching me keenly.
'Don't trip host. I am detecting his predatory instinct rising up. His gaze is glued to you.'
"Noted," I muttered.
Before I could say more, the emcee's voice echoed through the ballroom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our hosts for tonight's gala, Huang Zeming, the man behind the Atlas Media empire, and Jiang Rui, also known as Phantom!"
Applause greatly thundered, followed by the blinding camera flashes.
I confidently stepped forward, my every motion deliberate and calculated. My silk gown beautifully hugged my waist, with the slit glimmering as I walked.
"Thank you," I began, my voice easily controlling the crowd.
"This evening, we are not just celebrating fashion, but we are also remembering that just like people, real art survives every attempt to destroy it."
A few in the crowd froze, as some whispered, because they knew exactly what I meant.
Zeming smoothly followed up, "Tonight is about daring to redefine beauty. As someone once told us, fashion will die, but style is eternal. And she," he sweetly gestured toward me, "is very much alive."
Laughter rippled, claps echoed, as my lips twitched.
"I thought I told you to keep your flirting off stage."
He leaned into the mic, acting all innocent "But that wasn't flirting. It was PR."
'He is lying to you host.'
After the much anticipated opening segment, the event melted into champagne, applause, and perfectly contoured chaos.
Models posed as designers mingled. Whispers were busy following me like perfume but why wouldn't they? I am Phantom.
I had expected all these. The gossip, the envy and the awe.
What I didn't expect was Gao Yifan, the brother in law to my stepmother, approaching me.
He had a champagne glass on his hand and a crooked grin.
"Well, well, well," he said softly. "I see the family embarrassment has turned into a national treasure."
I didn't flinch, as I had expected such words.
"And I see that the family parasite has turned into a professional freeloader."
His grin tightened, as his hands clenched around the glass.
"You are still sharp, I see."
"That happens when you learn from the best, " I said, my eyes flicking briefly toward the camera crews. "You sister in law must be so proud."
'Ohh host! You are really fracturing his ego.'
He stepped closer, his voice dangerously low.
"So you think you have won? Those few flashy designs makes you untouchable?"
"Wrong. I am not untouchable," I said. "I am unreachable. Big difference dummy."
"For someone whose name means extraordinary, you sure are extraordinarily stupid. I don't blame you though."
His jaw clenched. I knew he was holding back his anger.
"I hope you know that my sister won't let you walk away scott free."
I smiled slowly. "My stepmother has always been better at planning revenge than success."
His eyes darkened, but before he could retort, Huang Zeming appeared at my side again, effortlessly charming.
"Jiang Rui, darling, I believe the photographers are dying to capture you. They want your better angles."
"But I do not have bad ones," I replied sweetly,walking off with him, leaving Gao Yifan to stew in his fury.
The night continued, with a mixture of hidden daggers and blurs of luxury.
Somewhere between the charity auction and the final performance, Lu Jinghao made his move.
He didn't come to me directly as he always did.
He simply sent a sealed note via one of the assistants.
"Miss Jiang, the design on your body tonight is... Captivating. I would like to have you in my office tomorrow at 11. L.J"
I stared at the paper for a moment, savouring the high quality material.
The ink on it was bold, confident and precise.
'I detect the danger and Flirtatious undertone here.'
"I'm aware."
Zeming noticed the note. "A note...from who?"
"Someone who doesn't take no for an answer."
He frowned, glancing toward the balcony. "Oh, Jinghao?"
"Who else? You?"
"Do you... perhaps trust him?"
The question struck me as weird but I didn't dwell on it.
I smiled faintly. "I am curious."
'Warning host. Curiosity often leads to love or trouble and in your case...I predict both.'
The night was going just fine, until a twist I hadn't seen came.
Just as the gala neared its end, the lights dimmed again.
The enthusiastic host took the stage, announcing.
"What a blessed night! We have a surprise showcase gracing our eyes, courtesy of an anonymous designer."
The screen behind the host lit up, revealing a new collection titled Blind Echo. The audience gasped in shock.
I did too.
Because the designs on the screen were mine.
My old, unreleased sketches.
Sketches I had scrapped months ago, were now being projected publicly, without my permission.
My blood ran cold. Like real cold.
Huang Zeming froze beside me. "What the hell is this? I..."
"It's called sabotage," I whispered back.
"Someone is leaking my archives."
'Host, I have detected a data breach in our fashion archive.'
"Trace it Nova."
'I am already on it host. The hacker's level seems to be advanced but nothing big for me.'
On stage, the oblivious host smiled widely.
"What an amazing and breathtaking collection! This designer is truly ahead of time!"
And then, in bold red letters beneath the title, stood an obvious name.
Designs by JIANG NING.
The room exploded in murmurs as Huang Zeming cursed under his breath.
"She didn't. This mother..."
"She did," I replied quietly, gaining my steady breath back.
'Host, allow me to initiate counterattack protocol. Exposing with humiliation leading to your victory.'
I exhaled slowly. "Go ahead."
'Yes ma'am!'
The big screen suddenly flickered, and then glitched. Gasps filled the room.
Suddenly, the designs were rearranged, revealing source signatures and timestamps, alongside my name, Jiang Rui.
"Seems the heavens disagree with her," Zeming murmured, grinning, clearly pleased.
The host stammered in shock, but he was able to adjust just in time.
"Ohh, uhh, it appears there has been an adjustment."
Lu Jinghao's lips curved faintly from across the room.
The man knew. Somehow, he always knew I would conquer things.
Jiang Ning, wherever she was, had just been digitally destroyed in front of half or even the whole fashion industry.
'Congratulations host. Your mission has been accomplished.'
Applause rippled through the room, as Zeming raised his glass. "To justice?"
I smiled, faintly. "To protection."
Lu Jinghao's gaze found mine again. This time, there was no curiosity or amusement.
There was a hint of something I couldn't explain and admiration.