Chapter 172: Damian Fought for Her
The next morning, fashion headlines had changed completely.
Gone were praises for "Sophia Bell." Now came waves of doubt and mockery.
Marcus had struck fast. A brand called "Moda" rushed to release an identical design collection, accusing Evelyn's studio of stealing trade secrets.
#Genius Designer or Design Thief?#
#Moda Director Condemns Plagiarism#
These headlines dominated social media.
Evelyn stood in the studio as phones rang non-stop. Every call was a cancellation.
"Miss Bell," the receptionist trembled, "Mr. Green from Omni Group is on the line. He says he has a solution."
Evelyn answered.
"Evelyn, don't hang up." Damian's voice was urgent. "I saw the news. Say the word and Omni Group will be your guarantor. I'll have PR say Moda is the fraud. I'll use every resource to protect your reputation."
"Guarantor?" Evelyn looked at the IP address on her screen. "Damian, are you helping me, or is this an act?"
"What do you mean?"
"The IP that stole my designs traces to your company." Her voice was ice. "Playing thief and savior at once. You'd stoop this low to make me bow to you?"
Silence.
Then Damian exploded. "I didn't do it! I threw away my dignity trying to win you back. Why would I do something this stupid? Wait. I'm investigating now!"
The call ended.
Evelyn put down the phone, exhausted. She wouldn't waste another second trusting that man.
Then warm hands settled on her shoulders.
She whipped around into Ryan's bloodshot but steady eyes.
Behind him, Nova Group technicians were taking over the studio's computers.
"Don't be afraid. I've mobilized Nova's top security team. Whoever did this, we'll dig them out."
Evelyn's nose stung. "Ryan, public opinion is against me. If Nova gets involved, you'll get dragged down. Marcus wants us both destroyed."
"Then we go down together."
Ryan loosened his tie, a hint of smile on his lips. "Or we tear them apart together."
He pressed a hard drive into her hands.
"This contains Nova's proprietary fabric database and design materials from the past decade. Internal use only. Now it's yours."
He held her gaze. "Your designs are compromised? Let them be. Use these. Redesign everything better. A hundred times better than that Moda knockoff. I want Marcus to know copycats are just cheap imitations."
Evelyn clutched the hard drive. "Aren't you worried I really plagiarized? That IP pointed to Damian, and I just met him yesterday."
"I trust you."
No hesitation. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Believe two things. First, I'm a bastard, but this bastard will love you forever. Second, your talent is unmatched."
Then an exclamation came from the tech team.
"Found it! They used multiple proxies, but we found a hidden tracking code in the data."
Ryan strode over. "Result."
"It is Omni's server, but logs show a planted backdoor."
The technician pointed at the screen. "Installed three months ago by a temp admin named Ronan Valen. We traced his finances..."
A wire transfer appeared.
Sender: a Lawrence family shell fund. Recipient: the temp admin.
"Marcus." Ryan's eyes turned dark. "That old bastard planted a mole under Damian's nose."
The studio door burst open.
Damian charged in, dragging a beaten man.
"Evelyn!"
He threw the man on the ground. Panting, tie askew, clearly just in a fight.
"This trash! A spy Marcus planted in my company! He stole the designs!"
The man trembled, too terrified to meet Ryan's murderous gaze.
Damian looked at Evelyn desperately. "I've had legal report this to police and released a statement. Omni takes responsibility for the breach. I had nothing to do with this. I swear."
He handed her a USB drive. "Evidence from his computer, including emails with Marcus. You can clear your name and sue Moda."
Evelyn looked at both men.
One mobilized his corporation, trusting her unconditionally. The other exposed his company's failures to prove innocence.
"Thank you." She took the USB, giving Damian a complicated look.
Damian exhaled. "As long as you believe me. I may be a bastard, but I'd never destroy your dream."
Ryan stepped between them, blocking Damian's view.
"Everything's cleared up. Mr. Green can leave. You're not welcome here."
Damian clenched his fists but said nothing and left.
The crisis was over.
Evelyn collapsed into her chair, watching Ryan direct the cleanup. Warmth spread through her chest.
No matter what, this man always stood before her.
Her phone buzzed. An unknown number.
She swiped it open.
[Impressive counterattack, Mrs. Green. Or should I say, future Mrs. Lawrence?]
[Haven't you forgotten something? Win the business, lose something far more important.]
Her heart slammed. With trembling fingers, she opened the attachment.
A photograph. Taken from distance with a telephoto lens.
Elias stood alone at the preschool playground edge, little backpack on, holding his water bottle, looking at a butterfly on his shoe.
In the corner, a hand in a black leather glove held a folding knife. The blade pointed at the small figure.
The next message followed.
[Help me destroy Ryan and drive him out of New York in disgrace. Or watch this child disappear.]
[You have 24 hours. Don't call the police. You know how the Lawrence family deals with obstacles.]
The phone slipped from her hand.
"Evelyn?" Ryan turned. "What's wrong?"
She opened her mouth. No sound came.
She watched Ryan approach with concern, but all she could see was the knife pointed at Elias.
That was her whole life.
Marcus had found her only weakness.