Rebirth: Love me Again

Chapter 178 Drama in the Studio

[eve]nôv(el)b\\jnn

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?"

"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."