The Legend of Cinderella's Counterattack

With a click, cold handcuffs were slapped onto her wrists. I watched my competitor being taken away by the police. Her face still showed resentment and resentment, but more of it was panic. I thought the nightmare was finally over and I could return to my design world and pursue my dreams.

Back at the studio, I felt a strange unease. The room was a mess, clearly rummaged through. My heart began to race, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. I rushed to the safe and, with trembling hands, entered the code, but it wouldn't open.

"What's wrong?" Lu Yuxuan, who had been comforting me, noticed something was wrong with me and asked worriedly.

I shook my head helplessly, holding back tears, and said in a trembling voice, "I can't open...my design..."

Lu Yuxuan immediately understood what was going on, and his expression grew serious. He called in a locksmith and opened the safe. However, the folder that should have contained my years of painstaking design drafts was now empty.

My head buzzed, my vision went dark, and I almost fainted. Lawrence Lu quickly supported me and called my name anxiously.

"How could this happen... How could this happen..." I muttered to myself, tears finally bursting out. Those designs were not only my hard work, but also the soul of the brand, and everything I had in the future!

Chenxi rushed over after hearing the news. Seeing the chaos in the studio and my condition, she immediately understood everything. She knelt before me, blaming herself and apologizing incoherently, "I'm sorry, Luoluo, it's all my fault. I didn't protect you well, and you..."

I shook my head helplessly. I knew that Chenxi couldn't be blamed for this. It was all that damned woman who ruined everything for me!

At that moment, several representatives from established families arrived at the studio. They were important investors and partners in the brand, and the theft of my designs was a huge loss for them. Seeing the empty safe, their faces were filled with disappointment and anger.

"Ms. Lin, I hope you can give us a reasonable explanation as soon as possible." One of the representatives said in a cold tone, with a hint of doubt and dissatisfaction in his tone.

I slumped in my chair, my mind blank. Explain? How could I explain? All my design drafts were gone. How could I explain?

Lawrence Lu sensed my despair, held my hand tightly, and said to the representatives: “Everyone, please rest assured, we will investigate this matter thoroughly and will definitely give everyone an explanation.”

However, his comfort was of no use to me. My heart felt like it had fallen into a bottomless abyss, a cold despair. What was stolen wasn't just the design, but my dreams, my future, everything I had...

I let Lawrence Lu hold me in his arms, his warmth filtering through his shirt, but it couldn't warm my icy heart. My designs, my hard work, vanished like a castle I'd painstakingly built, crumbling overnight, leaving only ruins. I felt like an ant buried beneath the rubble, unable to see a ray of light.

"Lolo, don't worry, we will definitely find the murderer and recover the design draft." Lawrence Lu's voice was low and firm, like a ray of light cast in the abyss of despair, trying to pull me up.

I shook my head helplessly, tears blurring my vision. "It's too late. Even if I catch her, even if I recover the design draft, my brand launch conference cannot be held as scheduled..." My voice trembled, revealing deep powerlessness and despair.

I saw those meticulously designed pieces, like butterflies with broken wings, no longer able to dance gracefully on the runway. All my effort, all my sweat, vanished in that moment. My future, my dreams, were stolen along with those designs.

Chenxi knelt at my feet, tears streaming down her face. "Lolo, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. It's all my fault. I didn't protect you well, so you..."

"No, Chenxi, this is not your fault." I spoke with difficulty, my voice very hoarse, "No one expected this to happen. You have tried your best."

I understand that Chenxi has done everything she can to protect me and my brand. She stayed in the studio day and night, even giving up her own rest time, but she still let that hateful woman take advantage of her.

Seeing Chenxi's self-blaming and guilty look, I felt even worse. I tried to force a smile to comfort her, but I found that I couldn't even muster a comforting smile.

“Everyone, I’m deeply sorry for this incident…” Lawrence Lu stood up and faced several family representatives with gloomy faces, and said sincerely, “I will definitely give everyone an explanation.”

Several representatives exchanged glances, and one of the older representatives slowly spoke, "Mr. Lu, we understand Ms. Lin's current situation, and we believe you will do your best to handle this matter. However, this incident has had a significant impact on our brand's reputation, and we need to re-evaluate this cooperation..."

He didn't finish his words, but the implication was clear. My heart sank, a chill running from the soles of my feet to the top of my head. I knew they were beginning to doubt my abilities, doubting whether I could continue to do this job.

I forced myself to sit up straight and tried to say something, but my throat was dry and I couldn't make any sound. I could only watch them leave, powerless to stop them or to defend myself.

My future, my dreams, seemed to become uncertain at this moment... Several representatives from the ancient family left one after another. Before leaving, they all expressed sympathy for my situation, but their words also revealed their concern for my abilities. I understand. After all, a press conference is not just about showcasing their work; it also concerns the family's reputation and interests.

I leaned weakly against the sofa, feeling as if my soul had been drained away. The studio was a mess, with scattered drawings and fabrics scattered all over the floor, just like my heart, in disarray.

"Lolo..." Chenxi choked up, wanting to say something but not knowing how to start. She knew that any words of comfort would be pale and powerless at this moment.

I waved my hand, signaling her to stop. I closed my eyes and let the tears flow freely. I didn't know how long I cried, but I felt exhausted, as if I had fallen into a bottomless abyss, with no glimmer of hope.

"If you want to cry, just cry. It will make you feel better." A warm embrace surrounded me, and a familiar voice sounded in my ears, with a hint of heartache and pity.

I raised my head, and through my tearful eyes, I saw Lawrence Lu's resolute face. The worry and heartache in his eyes were like a warm current, slowly flowing into my cold heart.

"Yuxuan, am I useless? I worked so hard to prepare for so long, but in the end..." My voice was choked and intermittent, unable to fully express the pain and self-blame in my heart.

"Silly boy, this is not your fault. You have done very well." Lawrence Lu gently wiped my tears and said firmly, "Believe me, we will find the murderer and take back everything that belongs to you."

His words were like a life-saving straw, giving me a glimmer of hope in my despair. Yes, it had already happened, and self-blame and sadness would be of no use. I should cheer up and work hard to solve the problem.

For the next few days, I locked myself in my room, refusing to eat, drink, or talk to anyone. I began to reflect on my life and my career. I was like a machine, constantly working and pursuing success, while ignoring the other beautiful things in life.

I began to think, what exactly do I want? Is it just fame, fortune, and success? No, what I want is to be able to create freely, to share my design philosophy with more people, and to let more people experience the charm of clothing.

I picked up my paintbrush and began sketching on paper. This time, I wasn't obsessed with those lost designs, but followed my heart, felt, and created.

There was a gentle knock on the door of the room, and Lawrence Lu walked in with a cup of hot milk. He put the milk on the table and said softly, “Lolo, you have locked yourself in the room for three days. If you continue like this, your body will collapse.”

I looked up at his worried eyes, and a warm feeling welled up in my heart. I put down my brush, took the milk, and took a sip.

"Yuxuan, tell me, can I start over?" I put down the cup of milk, with a hint of confusion in my tone.

"Of course!" Lawrence Lu answered without hesitation, his eyes flashing with determination, "You are the best designer, I believe you can make a comeback!"

His words, like a ray of sunshine, illuminated my heart. Yes, I still have dreams, I still have hope, I can't give up so easily!

Lawrence Lu's words were like a shot of adrenaline, gradually clearing my chaotic thoughts. Yes, I can't be defeated like this. I still have dreams and people who love me. I took a deep breath and told myself to cheer up and not let the current predicament defeat me.

"Yuxuan, thank you, I'm fine now." I forced a smile and reached out to hold his warm hand. "I've decided to start over. I will design better works and prove my strength to everyone!"

Lu Yuxuan nodded with satisfaction, his eyes filled with encouragement and support. He's always been by my side, helping me organize my studio, gathering inspiration, and encouraging me to get back on track. Chenxi also visits me often. Although she always blames herself for not protecting my designs, I know she's not to blame.

With the support of Lu Yuxuan and my friends, I began to fully dedicate myself to designing new pieces. I constantly experimented with new materials and cutting methods, incorporating my own understanding and appreciation of fashion into my work. Day after day, my studio was filled with a myriad of designs and fabric samples, each line and each piece of fabric a product of my utmost dedication.

Finally, my new collection was released. This time, I chose no luxury hotel for the launch, instead holding it in an art gallery. There was no excessive publicity, no celebrities, only a few friends and media who truly loved fashion.

As the models confidently strutted down the runway in my creations, I saw the audience's eyes sparkle with wonder and admiration. My pieces, simple yet elegant, yet stylish, elegant yet individual, perfectly embody the independence, confidence, and unique charm of modern women.

After the show, representatives of old families who had lost confidence in me came to congratulate me one after another. They admitted that my new works had impressed them and that they saw my potential and strength as a designer.

I succeeded, and with my hard work and talent, I regained recognition and respect. Yet, deep down, a shadow lingered. Those stolen works, those designs I poured so much effort into, were like a wound that would never heal, aching me.