"Knock... knock... knock!"

The sound of Rosemary's hand rapping against the door echoed through the house she once called home. Her fingers trembled-not from fear, but from a mixture of anger and bitter resolve.

The door swung open hard. Adrian stood there, his face tense.

"Rosemary?" His voice was heavy, laced with scorn. "So, you finally decided to show up."

Rosemary's eyes were cold. "I came to collect my things. Leave the rest here-I don't care."

Adrian let out a mocking chuckle, folding his arms across his chest. "Your things? You disappear for two days without a word, and now you show up with that pathetic face, claiming you just want to get your belongings? Do you think I believe that?"

Rosemary lifted her chin, forcing down the pain in her chest. "I didn't disappear. I needed time after the humiliation you put me through. I won't spend another night under the same roof as a man like you."

Adrian stepped forward, his eyes sharp and cutting. "Humiliation? Don't blame me for your own foolishness. You crashed a party uninvited, embarrassed yourself in front of everyone, and now you point fingers at me? That wasn't my fault, Rosemary. That was yours."

Rosemary let out a bitter laugh. "My fault? My fault for being a loyal wife? My fault for giving you my entire life? My fault for believing in you?"

"Loyal?" Adrian sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "You vanished for two days, Rosemary. Two nights, gone. Tell me-where were you sleeping? Or should I say-with whom?"

Rosemary's face hardened, her expression freezing over. "You dare accuse me of that? After everything you've done? You paraded another woman in front of me, and yet you call me a woman of the night?"

Adrian leaned closer, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Who knows, Rose? A wounded woman can do anything. Perhaps you found comfort in another man's arms. Doesn't that sound... more believable?"

SLAP!

Rosemary's hand struck Adrian's cheek, the sound ringing through the living room.

"Don't you ever insult me like that again, Adrian!" Rosemary's eyes blazed. "I may have lost a miserable marriage, but I have not lost my dignity!"

Adrian held his cheek, his expression darkening before twisting into a cold laugh. "You dare slap me-in my own house?"

"Your house?" Rosemary's chest rose and fell as her gaze swept the room. "This house was built from both our sweat! From my money too! Don't you dare pretend it belongs to you alone."

Adrian stepped closer, his voice low and threatening. "I don't need your money, Rosemary. All of this is mine. You were just a guest."

Rosemary's body shook, but her voice was steady. "A guest? I gave up my career to support you! I handled your business papers, stood by you when you were nothing. And now you tell me I was just a guest?"

Adrian's grin turned cruel. "Yes. You were nothing more than a burden I carried all this time."

Rosemary closed her eyes for a moment, breathing through the sting of his words. When she opened them again, her gaze was filled with steel. "If I was a burden, then remember this: that 'burden' is what carried you to where you are today. Don't forget, Adrian-without me, you would still be nobody."

For a fleeting moment, Adrian froze, his face stiffening. But quickly, he masked it with another cold laugh. "Still daring to challenge me? Even after I cast you out in front of everyone?"

Rosemary stepped forward, their faces only inches apart. "Yes, I dare. Because that night, you thought you turned me into a pathetic woman. But that same night, I realized-I don't want to live in your shadow anymore. You can insult me, accuse me, throw me away. But listen to this, Adrian: I will not stay down forever. And when I rise, you'll be the one brought to your knees."

Adrian narrowed his eyes, his tone quiet but razor-sharp. "A threat? You think you can fight me? You're alone, Rosemary. You have nothing left."

Rosemary gave a bitter smile. "Maybe I am alone now. But I have something stronger than anything you own. And that resolve will destroy you, Adrian. One day, it will."

They stared each other down, the air so heavy it felt like knives slicing through the silence.

Finally, Rosemary turned away, holding back her tears. She walked into the bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and began packing her things into a suitcase. Her hands trembled-not from fear, but from the weight of heartbreak.

Adrian stood at the doorway, arms folded, his face cold. "Take whatever you want. After this, never come back."

Rosemary zipped the suitcase shut and stood tall. She looked at Adrian one last time-no longer as a broken wife, but as a woman ready for retribution.

"Don't worry, Adrian. I won't come back. But I promise you this-you'll miss the days when I was by your side. You will regret it."

Adrian didn't respond, only smirked. But deep inside, something about her final look unsettled him.

Rosemary dragged her suitcase toward the door. As she stepped out, Adrian's voice rang behind her.

"Don't ever come back to my house after the divorce, Rosemary. I will never take you back again!"

The shrill ring of a phone echoed through Adrian's luxurious office. He had just taken a sip of wine when the name Markus – Personal Assistant flashed across the screen. With irritation, Adrian pressed the answer button.

"Yes, Markus. What is it?" His voice was heavy, dripping with impatience.

On the other end, Markus's tone was urgent and laced with worry.

"Sir Adrian... we have a serious problem. The launch of the gown collection is in two days-our design team's work has been rejected by the investors."

Adrian's brows furrowed instantly. "Rejected? What do you mean rejected? Didn't we send them the final revisions last week?"

Markus swallowed audibly. "Yes, sir. But the investors said the designs... lack the soul they're looking for. They called them stiff, lifeless."

Adrian rose from his chair, pacing back and forth as his face flushed with heat. "Stiff? Lifeless? What kind of nonsense is that? They were the ones who approved the initial concept in the first place!"

Markus's voice dropped lower, hesitant, as if afraid of Adrian's reaction. "The investors gave a new condition. They'll only proceed... if the designs are made by Mrs. Rosemary."

Silence.

Adrian froze mid-step. His jaw clenched tightly. "What did you just say?"

"They want Mrs. Rosemary's designs, sir. They're threatening to pull their investment and take it to our competitor if she doesn't handle the launch collection."

"Damn it!" Adrian roared, slamming his fist against the desk, nearly toppling the glass. "Rosemary again! Even after I cast her aside, her name still haunts my company!"

Markus's voice was barely a whisper now. "I'm sorry, sir. But the investors were very clear. They said only Rosemary can bring the elegance they expect. Without her, the launch will be a disaster."

Adrian's fist tightened until his knuckles turned white. His breath came in harsh bursts, fueled by anger. "Impossible... Rosemary won't come back. I won't beg her."

He ended the call in frustration and hurled his phone onto the sofa. His face was crimson with rage.

"What's going on?" Cassandra's voice drifted from the door. She stepped in, draped in a silk-blue gown, her hair cascading perfectly, her smile alluring yet edged with calculation.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Adrian snapped.

Cassandra arched a brow. "With that tone, clearly something's wrong. Tell me."

Adrian exhaled heavily before finally spitting out the truth through clenched teeth. "The investors for the launch in two days... rejected everything. They want only Rosemary's designs."

Cassandra's smile faltered for a split second. "Rosemary?"

"Yes." Adrian rubbed his temples with frustration. "That woman... even after I threw her out, she still overshadows everything. The investors are threatening to pull out unless she does the collection."

Cassandra was silent for a moment, then her lips curved subtly, hiding a flicker of satisfaction beneath a sweet tone. "So, without Rosemary, the project could collapse?"

Adrian glared at her. "Yes. And I will not humiliate myself by crawling back to her."

Cassandra moved closer, her hand brushing Adrian's arm tenderly. "Then let me handle this."

Adrian turned to her suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

Her smile gleamed with confidence. "You know I studied at one of Milan's top design schools. Fashion has been my world long before I returned to this city. If the investors demand quality, I can deliver it-better than Rosemary."

Adrian's eyes narrowed. "The investors specifically asked for Rosemary. They know her work. They're not fools."

Cassandra let out a soft, mocking laugh. "They're clinging to a myth. Rosemary's name may still enchant them, but I can create designs just as good-if not superior. Give me the chance, Adrian. Let me prove I can replace her completely."

Adrian remained silent, his face taut with conflicting emotions-anger, pride, and doubt. He collapsed back into his chair, rubbing his face with both hands. "Damn it... two days left. I don't have time to renegotiate."

Cassandra leaned against the chair's armrest, locking eyes with him. "Trust me. This is my moment to show who truly deserves to stand by your side. I'll take over the project, and when it succeeds, everyone will forget Rosemary. They'll remember only Cassandra."

Adrian stared at her, searching her expression. Confidence radiated from her words, but he knew the investors weren't easily deceived. Still, his pride outweighed his logic.

"Fine," he said coldly at last. "I'll give you the chance. Take over the project. Create something better than Rosemary ever could. But if you fail..." He leaned forward, his gaze sharp as a blade. "You'll share the downfall of this company with me."

Cassandra's smile never wavered. "I won't fail, Adrian. I'll prove to you that Rosemary is the past. I am your future."

But deep inside Adrian, Rosemary's shadow lingered. The investors' words echoed relentlessly in his mind: "We only trust Rosemary's touch."

And though his pride refused to admit it, he knew the truth-Cassandra could never match Rosemary's brilliance.

Yet Adrian was far too arrogant to say it aloud.

The crystal chandeliers of the grand hotel ballroom sparkled, soft music flowing from the live band in the corner. That night was supposed to be a glittering celebration: the grand launch of Adrian Corp's gown collection.

Guests arrived in high spirits. Major investors filled the front row, their faces glowing with expectation. Adrian stood at the side of the stage, his black suit immaculate, a thin smile masking the storm of unease within him.

Beside him, Cassandra, radiant in her glamorous gown, leaned closer and whispered with utter confidence.

"Relax, Adrian. Tonight they will forget Rosemary. Once they see my designs, everyone will know who truly deserves to be by your side."

Adrian only gave a brief nod, though his heartbeat thundered in his chest. He remembered the investor's chilling warning: "If the quality does not match Rosemary's, our partnership is over."

The spotlight hit the stage. The MC's voice rang out with enthusiasm:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for-the unveiling of Adrian Corp's newest collection! Please welcome our first model!"

Dramatic music swelled. The curtains drew back. The first model strutted onto the runway in Cassandra's gown.

And instantly, the atmosphere shifted.

The dress... was terrible.

The expensive satin that should have flowed with grace looked stiff and lifeless. The colors clashed horribly-garish purple paired with a blinding green. The golden embroidery at the waist was crude, almost forced.

Murmurs swept through the audience.

"What on earth is that?"

"The gown looks hideous."

"Isn't that premium fabric? Why does it look so cheap?"

Cold sweat broke across Adrian's forehead. He glanced at Cassandra, whose forced smile was cracking though she tried to keep her composure.

The second model stepped out in an evening gown. But the design was worse-it ruined the silhouette of her body. Black lace clashed with blood-red sequins in a garish, overdone mess. The gown screamed vulgar, not elegant.

The murmurs grew louder. Until one man's booming voice silenced the room.

"Adrian! Is this what you call a masterpiece?" Investor William shot to his feet, his face red with anger.

Adrian hurried forward. "Mr. William, this is just the beginning-"

"The beginning?" Another investor, Madam Clara, cut in sharply. "Look at that gown! The material is ruined, the stitching sloppy! Do you think we're blind?"

Cassandra stepped up quickly, struggling to keep her poise. "This is a modern concept-a daring fusion of colors. Something never seen before."

"Foolishness!" William roared. "That's not daring, that's disastrous! You've wasted fabric worth millions and humiliated us in public!"

Camera flashes exploded across the ballroom, capturing Adrian's paling face. Guests whispered, some even snickering openly.

"Adrian," Clara's voice was sharp as a knife, "you promised us a collection on par with Rosemary's brilliance. But what I see is amateur trash. Do you really expect investors of our caliber to put money into this... garbage?"

Adrian raised his hands desperately. "Please, just give us another chance-"

"No more chances!" William thundered. "I'm pulling out my entire investment. As of tonight, our partnership is finished."

One by one, other investors rose to their feet.

"Yes, we're withdrawing too."

"Adrian Corp can no longer be trusted."

"This debacle stains our reputations as well."

Chaos erupted. Investors stormed out, faces twisted with rage, ignoring the rest of the event.

"No! Please! Wait! We can talk about this!" Adrian nearly stumbled after them, his face ashen. "I swear I'll fix everything, I can-"

William spun around, his gaze burning with contempt. "The only person who could save this project was Rosemary. But you drove her away. Now face the consequences yourself."

The words hit Adrian like a sledgehammer. He froze, paralyzed in the middle of the ballroom, surrounded by sneering eyes.

Cassandra clutched his arm, whispering frantically.

"Adrian, don't listen to them. They're just too conservative. They don't understand art-"

"Shut up, Cassandra!" Adrian shoved her hand away, his voice exploding like thunder. Cassandra gasped, paling at his fury.

"You said you could rival Rosemary! You swore you'd make them forget her name! And look at what you've done-ruined me! You've humiliated me in front of everyone!"

Cassandra's lips trembled, but no words came. Her face drained of color, her confidence shattered.

The MC rushed to close the event, the music fading awkwardly. But it was too late. What should have been Adrian Corp's triumph had become a public disaster.

Adrian stood at the center of the ballroom, his body trembling. His empire was crumbling-not just his business, but his pride, his very name.

And then, in the hollow echo of his own downfall, he whispered the one name he had tried to bury:

"Rosemary... Will you still come back and rebuild this company with me?"