The Legend of Cinderella's Counterattack

"Zhao Tianming's wife?" I gasped, my heart gripped by an invisible hand. Could it be that Zhao Tianming's wife was involved? This thought grew like wild weeds, lingering in my mind. I tried to calm myself, took a deep breath, and said to the private detective, "Keep investigating. I want to know every detail of Zhao Tianming's wife's interactions with Li Li. Also, I want to know all of Zhao Tianming's recent movements."

After hanging up the phone, my doubts only intensified. Why did Li Li send money to Zhao Tianming's wife every month? What was their relationship? Could it be that there was a deeper deal behind Zhao Tianming's collaboration with Xingyao Group?

I told my best friend about my findings, and she was also shocked. "This is too complicated! It seems there's a lot of water behind this!" She looked at me worriedly, "Lolo, why don't we just leave this alone? It's too dangerous!"

"No!" I shook my head, my eyes determined. "I must find out the truth and not let Zhao Tianming get away with it!"

Just then, my cell phone rang. It was Lawrence Lu calling. His voice sounded exhausted, “Lolo, something happened at the company…”

My heart sank. “What’s wrong?”

"Starry Group somehow got our company's core secrets and is maliciously suppressing us. Now our stock price has plummeted, and partners have terminated their contracts. We are now..." His voice was filled with pain and helplessness. "We can only seek cooperation with the International Fashion Group to overcome this crisis."

I was stunned. International Fashion Group? Isn't that... Li Li's sneaky figure suddenly appeared in my mind. Could it be that all this is a conspiracy planned by Xingyao Group and International Fashion Group?

"Yuxuan, listen to me..." I wanted to tell him my discovery, but I didn't know how to start.

“Lolo, I know what you are worried about.” Lawrence Lu’s voice was low and hoarse, “But now, we have no choice. I promise you that even if I cooperate with them, I will stick to my principles and never compromise.”

His words were filled with helplessness and bitterness, and I could sense his inner struggle and pain. I clutched my phone tightly, my heart filled with worry and uneasiness.

The struggle within the International Fashion Group is complicated, and I haven’t found anyone I can trust. And Lawrence Lu has to cooperate with them for the sake of the family business, which is undoubtedly courting disaster.

I am trapped in the fog and cannot see the way forward, but the only thing I know clearly is that I cannot retreat. I must find out the truth and protect the people I love.

Lawrence Lu's words weighed heavily on my heart like a huge rock, making it hard for me to breathe. I could clearly feel the exhaustion and helplessness in his tone even through the phone. I knew he had already taken on too much for the family business.

For the past few days, I've been trying to contact Lu Yuxuan, but every call goes unanswered, and every message falls on deaf ears. My heart races, like a rabbit in my belly, a turmoil of anxiety. The investigation into Zhao Tianming's case has made no progress, and Li Li's leads have also run out. I feel like I'm trapped in a maze, with no way out and no hope in sight.

"Lolo, don't think about it, let's go shopping!" My best friend saw that I was frowning all day long, so she took me out for a walk.

I wandered aimlessly down the street, completely uninterested. Passing by a cafe, I stumbled upon a familiar figure. His broad shoulders and upright back—even from a side profile—we could tell instantly that it was Lawrence Lu!

I rushed into the cafe like a possessed man. Lawrence Lu was sitting by the window, a cup of coffee in front of him, but he didn't take a sip. He just stared out the window, his brow furrowed, his usually cheerful face now covered in fatigue.

He looked up when he heard my footsteps. When he saw me, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a wry smile. "Lolo, why are you here?"

I sat down across from him, looking at his haggard appearance, and said distressedly, "How have you been lately? How are things going at the company?"

Lawrence Lu smiled bitterly and shook his head, “Not very optimistic. The Xingyao Group’s attack is very fierce, and many of our projects have been forced to stop. The only option now is to cooperate with the International Fashion Group.”

"But..." I thought of Li Li's relationship with Zhao Tianming's wife, and her stalking of me. Alarm bells rang in my heart, "Wouldn't it be too risky to cooperate with them?"

Lawrence Lu was silent for a moment before he whispered, “I know what you’re worried about. But now, we have no way out. If we don’t think of a solution, the company will really be finished.”

His words were filled with helplessness and bitterness, and I could sense his inner struggle and pain. At that moment, I suddenly understood that he, like me, was trapped in the vortex of fate, with no control over his fate.

"Yuxuan, no matter what happens, I will be by your side." I held his hand, giving him strength and also giving myself strength.

Lawrence Lu held my hand in his, looking at me with complicated eyes, wanting to say something but stopping himself. I knew he had a lot to say, but in the end, he just sighed softly and said nothing.

After leaving the cafe, my bestie and I were both silent. I knew that my bestie must have a lot to say to me.

"Lolo, have you ever thought that this is all too complicated, and maybe you shouldn't be involved at all?" My bestie looked at me worriedly. "Look at you now. You've lost your appetite and can't sleep because of this. How can you continue like this?"

I understand my friend's concerns and her good intentions, but my sense of justice won't allow me to sit idly by.

"I understand what you mean, but I can't just watch Yuxuan get into trouble, and I can't tolerate those bad guys going unpunished." I stared into the distance with a determined look, my tone calm but full of strength, "I'll take care of this matter!"

My best friend wanted to say something more, but I shook my head, signaling I'd made up my mind. Seeing her worried eyes, I felt a surge of warmth. I knew that no matter what happened, I had the support of my friends, and this made me even more determined to fight this battle to the end.

A few days later, Lawrence Lu told me that the International Fashion Group agreed to cooperate with them, but on the condition that I must join their design team and participate in an important project.

I knew that this was an opportunity Lawrence Lu had fought for me, and it was also an opportunity for me to get close to the International Fashion Group and find out the truth. I agreed without hesitation.

On my first day at the International Fashion Group, I felt an unprecedented pressure. Everything here is full of competition and calculation, and everyone wears a mask, making it difficult to understand.

I was assigned to a separate office and began preparing for the upcoming new product launch. Lu Yuxuan told me that this launch was very important to the International Fashion Group and that if I could succeed in this project, I would be able to gain a firm foothold in the company and have a better chance of accessing core secrets.

I put my heart and soul into the design and almost forgot about time. I knew that this opportunity was hard-won and I had to give it my all.

However, the development of things was far beyond my expectations.

During a design discussion, I confidently presented my ideas. My design was bold and innovative, incorporating many Chinese elements. I hoped to use this opportunity to promote Chinese culture to the world.

However, my design proposal was met with ridicule from other designers.

"How naive! Do you think that just piling up these Chinese elements will gain recognition in the international market?"

"Stop dreaming! Your design doesn't conform to international aesthetics at all!"

"I advise you to give up as soon as possible and stop embarrassing yourself here!"

Their harsh words mercilessly undermined my confidence. I clenched my fists, trying to contain the rage within me. I knew I couldn't back down; I had to prove myself!

“My design is not a simple stacking of elements, but…” I tried to explain, but was rudely interrupted by a designer.

"That's enough! We don't have time to listen to your nonsense here!"

At this moment, the door of the conference room was suddenly pushed open, and Lawrence Lu walked in. His face was gloomy, and his eyes swept across everyone present, finally landing on me. His tone was filled with a hint of heartache and apology, "Lolo, come out with me."

I followed Lawrence Lu out of the conference room and into his office.

“I’m sorry, Luoluo, I’ve wronged you.” Lawrence Lu looked at me distressedly, “Those people are veterans of the International Fashion Group. They have a lot of say. I…”

"I know you've tried your best." I interrupted him, not wanting to embarrass him.

“Lolo, listen to me,” Lawrence Lu took a deep breath and said solemnly, “I have already talked to the representatives of the International Fashion Group, and they agreed to provide assistance to our company, but the condition is…”

His voice gradually faded, but I felt as if I had a premonition of something, and my heart sank. "What are the conditions?"

"They demanded that our company must merge with the Shining Star Group."

“What?!” I exclaimed, looking at Lawrence Lu in disbelief, “This is impossible! Xingyao Group is our competitor, how can we…”

“I know, but this is the best outcome.” Lawrence Lu’s tone was full of helplessness and bitterness, “If we don’t agree to their conditions, our company will really be finished.”

I stared at Lawrence Lu blankly, feeling my world crumble at that moment. I had originally thought that by joining the International Fashion Group, I would be able to find the truth and help Lawrence Lu overcome his difficulties. However, I never expected that what awaited me would be an even more cruel reality...

My bestie's words echoed in my ears. I looked at her worried eyes, and a warm current surged in my heart. I knew that I was in a deep quagmire, but this matter has gone beyond the scope of personal grudges. It is related to Lawrence Lu's family business and many innocent employees. I can't back down.

"I understand your concerns, but I've made up my mind." I held my bestie's hand and gave her a firm look. "I won't act rashly. I will protect myself, but I will also stick to it."

Seeing that I had made up my mind, my best friend stopped trying to dissuade me. She just sighed and said, "Then be careful in everything you do. Remember, I will always support you."

A few days later, Lu Yuxuan told me that the International Fashion Group agreed to cooperate with them, but on the condition that they must be satisfied with the design plan for the new season. Lu Yuxuan knew that I had a talent for design and recommended me to the International Fashion Group.

I understood that this was an opportunity, an opportunity to help Lawrence Lu, and at the same time, an opportunity for me to get inside the International Fashion Group and find out the truth. I told myself that I must seize this opportunity!

I locked myself in the studio and worked non-stop for three days and three nights, finally completing a design that I had poured all my heart and soul into. I knew it would be a tough battle, but I was ready for the challenge.

On the day of the introduction, I put on the clothes I designed and walked into the conference room of the International Fashion Group with confidence. The conference room was full of people, all elites in the fashion industry, and everyone looked at me with scrutiny, which made me feel a huge pressure.

I took a deep breath and began to explain my design concept. My design inspiration comes from traditional Chinese culture. I combine traditional crafts such as embroidery and printing and dyeing with modern fashion elements to design a series of clothing that is both classic and fashionable.

However, my design proposal did not receive the expected applause, but instead attracted ridicule.

"This is too tacky! It's like taking us back to the Qing Dynasty!"

"How could this kind of design possibly make it onto the international stage? It's simply a pipe dream!"

"I really doubt whether she understands fashion at all."

The sharp criticism stung my eardrums like needles, and my cheeks burned as if I had been slapped hard. I suppressed the humiliation and anger in my heart and tried to remain calm, but I could feel my body trembling slightly.

Just then, the door to the conference room suddenly opened, and Lawrence Lu walked in with a sullen expression. He walked straight up to me, shielding me behind him. He glared fiercely at everyone in the room and said coldly, "Enough! Where are your design plans? If this is just criticism, then this meeting ends here!"

Lawrence Lu's sudden appearance instantly brought the atmosphere in the conference room to a freezing point. Those fashion elites who had been so arrogant just now were now silent, not daring to say a word.

Lawrence Lu pulled me out of the meeting room. I could feel the warmth of his palm and his silent support.

“Ignore them, I believe in your design.” Lawrence Lu comforted me softly, but I knew that this incident was also a huge blow to him.

To protect me and the company, he was forced to lower his profile once again and negotiate with the arrogant representatives of the international fashion group. Hiding in a corner, I witnessed how he endured humiliation and harassment for me and the company. Ultimately, he gave up part of his company's equity in exchange for the international fashion group's recognition of my designs.

At that moment, my heart was torn. I hated my own powerlessness, my own incompetence, and even more so, I hated those behind the scenes who pushed us into a desperate situation!