Chapter 3

3

The next day, I headed straight to the office. My family ran a luxury hotel empire, while Garrett's family owned a high-end fashion design company.

Back then, just to be closer to Garrett, I went against my family's wishes and pursued fashion design.

After years of relentless work, I finally earned my place as a renowned head designer in the company.

Yet, the moment I stepped into the office, people looked at me with weird expressions. The creative director called me into her office immediately.

I didn't know what happened, but an uneasy feeling crept into my chest.

When the director saw me, an awkward look crossed her face.

"Talia, here's the thing. Upper management decided that Bianca will take your spot in the upcoming national design competition. She'll also be using your drafts."

This wasn't the first time this had happened.

Bianca had joined the company three years ago as a design assistant. Garrett had bent over backward to help her, and every single time, it was at the expense of my hard work.

At first, Garrett tried to soothe me patiently.

"Babe, Bianca comes from a poor background, and I owe her for what happened in the past. People from her social class stay poor forever unless someone gives them a big break."

Back then, Garrett's mother had cut him off financially to force him to be with me.

At first, Garrett and Bianca believed love could conquer all, but as time went on, Bianca realized passion couldn't pay the bills, so she walked away.

Feeling guilty toward her, I tolerated Garrett's demands a few times.

Eventually, all the best projects and competition spots were handed to Bianca. My original sketches were taken and handed over to her without my consent.

No matter how patient I was, Garrett had crossed the line. I stormed into his office back then to confront him.

Bianca had hidden timidly behind Garrett, looking so fragile that she instantly triggered his protective instincts.

Facing my furious questions, Garrett did not even bother hiding his bias anymore.

"Talia, you work in my company, so you follow my orders! You already have everything, while Bianca has nothing. Would it kill you to let her have this?"

Garrett always painted Bianca as the victim, making me look heartless if I refused. But why should my sleepless nights and hard work serve as her stepping stone?

I had already repaid whatever debt I owed her. That was the first time I openly defied Garrett and refused to give up my portfolio.

Garrett had sneered at me coldly.

"You think you're the only one who can design? If I'm willing to pay, countless talented designers will line up to hand over their best work!"

True to his word, Garrett hired expensive ghost designers to help Bianca, and he even stayed up all night with her to polish the entries.

Maybe I should have seen through him back then. To him, Bianca's needs would always come before anything else.