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?"

"Adrian! You need to see this right now!"

Markus's voice was heavy as he shoved open the office door without knocking. His hand gripped a stack of documents, his face tense.

Adrian, who was sipping his coffee, immediately looked up, his brow furrowed. "What now? Don't make my headache worse!"

Markus slammed the files onto the desk. "This is the loss report after the launching two days ago. Did you really think I'd stay quiet while everyone abandons this company?"

Adrian glanced lazily at the documents, then set his cup down. "I know the investors are angry. I can explain."

"Explain?" Markus scoffed bitterly. "Can you explain how fifty billion rupiah went up in smoke for failed gowns? Or maybe you can explain why every single investor pulled their funds all at once? They're even demanding their money back!"

Adrian stood abruptly, his voice rising. "I can't return that money! It's already been spent on premium fabrics and promotions! Do you think I'm a thief?"

Markus stared him down, unflinching. "Maybe not a thief. But a fool. A fool for trusting Cassandra over the one person who could've actually saved this company."

That name surfaced again. Adrian let out a sharp breath, his fists clenching. "Don't you dare bring up Rosemary again!"

Markus stepped closer, his voice like ice. "I have to make you see, Adrian. Everyone knows the best collections this company ever produced came from Rosemary's hands. Investors backed us because of her designs. Now she's gone, and we've collapsed. That's the reality."

Adrian slammed his fist onto the desk. "Enough! I don't need her anymore. I can hire any designer, and-"

"Any designer?" Markus cut him off swiftly. "If that were true, then why are investors demanding only Rosemary's work? Why did they reject Cassandra outright? Are you blind-or just refusing to face the truth?"

Adrian froze. His jaw tightened, his eyes burning with a mix of rage and helplessness.

"She hates me, Markus. Rosemary will never come back. You know that."

Markus exhaled slowly, lowering his tone. "Maybe so. But if she doesn't return, Adrian Corp is finished. The investors have already threatened lawsuits. And we don't have the reserves to survive."

The room fell into a heavy silence. The ticking of the wall clock echoed sharply, as though counting down to ruin.

Finally, Adrian drew in a shaky breath, staring blankly at the gray skies outside his wide office window. "Damn it... how did it all come to this?"

Markus didn't answer. He only watched his boss coldly, his expression saying clearly: This is all your doing.

---

Adrian began pacing across the office. Cold sweat beaded at his temples. The memory of the failed launch haunted him-furious investors, mocking guests, and Cassandra's gowns that had looked like a joke.

"This can't all be falling apart just because of... her," Adrian muttered under his breath.

Markus caught the words. "But that's exactly what it is. You can hate Rosemary all you want, but this business was built on her creations. Without her, we're nothing."

Adrian snapped his head up, his voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "Do you think it's easy for me? After all the humiliation she put me through? After she made me look like a fool in front of everyone?"

Markus shook his head slowly. "What made you a fool, Adrian, was your own arrogance. You chose your pride over saving what you built. And now you're on the verge of losing it all."

Adrian fell silent, his face pale. Markus's words struck deeper than he wanted to admit.