Chapter 633 Endless Trouble
Christina even began to wonder if she was inherently prone to disasters. She had just returned to Jadeborough, and trouble had eagerly knocked on her door. Can’t I have a few peaceful days?
Christina lamented inwardly. However, that was her studio and her source of income, so she had to take that matter seriously.
Christina supported Rayne and made room for her on the chair. Then, she poured a cup of coffee and handed it to the latter. “Calm down. Have a drink and speak slowly.
Rayne was already at her wit’s end. She had no time to leisurely sip coffee and relax. Taking in Christina’s nonchalant demeanor, Rayne grew more anxious.
“Christina, the problem this time involves the studio’s survivability.”
Is it that serious? Christina furrowed her brows. “What happened?”
Rayne said, “It’s Emilia. She made a debut in the entertainment industry and became acquainted with the locally famous and highly successful agent, Estelle Channing. Emilia suddenly rose to fame on the internet half a month ago. Estelle somehow managed to whitewash Emilia’s past. Two weeks ago, she copied Elizabeth’s old trick, asking Estelle to approach our studio to customize a set of dresses for attending events.”
Emilia’s trouble-causing actions were still to come. Rayne organized her thoughts for a moment before she gritted her teeth and continued. “Estelle described to us the ideal requirements for the dress based on the KR brand’s designs from the nineties. Three days ago, Emilia wore the dresses we designed to attend an endorsement event for a certain brand, and she happened to run into KR’s director!”
Christina grimaced. Everyone knew how difficult it was to deal with the KR brand in the clothing design industry.
Moreover, that brand had been established for a long time. The designs of their dresses during the brand’s most glorious period were revered by others and were still popular to that day.
“Emilia’s team immediately issued a statement, pushing all the responsibilities onto us. She portrayed herself as a victim and garnered a wave of popularity. After the incident, I contact Estelle immediately. She denied that she had put forward the design requirements to the studio and instead used the studio’s previous plagiarism predicament as a point of argument. Now, KR has sent a lawyer’s letter to the studio, accusing us of copyright infringement”
Christina hurriedly stood up. “Why are you only telling me something so important now? We’ll discuss the rest of the matter when we get to the studio.”
Rayne felt guilty. “I’m sorry. I thought I could handle this tricky issue well.”
Christina replied bluntly, “You can’t.”
Colors drained from Rayne’s face as she gazed at Christina with reddened eyes in helplessness.
Christina explained, “I do not doubt your abilities. Emilia is aiming to ruin my career and reputation. She’s forcing me to step forward and take the blame. All of you just got dragged into this mess because of
ITIC,”
That problem needs to be resolved as soon as possible. It was fine if the studio had to shut down, but what was most important was the reputation of the designers. Once they were a*sociated with plagiarism, their careers would be done for.
Rayne uttered sincerely, “Christina, don’t say that. None of us regretted pursuing you, even in the face of this crisis. Everyone is prepared for the worst. Even if we are saddled with the bad name of plagiarism, we will live and die with the studio.”
Christina took out a piece of handkerchief and handed it to Rayne. “You’re already an adult. Why are you crying at every little thing? Don’t worry. We can definitely resolve this.”
She strode over and put her arm around Rayne’s shoulder. Christina’s tone was a mixture of jest and bravado as she spoke. “Don’t you forget that my man is very capable. If I can’t solve this, he will support me. If this studio can’t survive, we’ll pick a good day to set up a new one. My man is filthy rich.”
Rayne laughed through her tears as a relaxed expression finally spread across her countenance. “Yes. You’re right. This problem hasn’t spiraled beyond salvation yet. I cannot lose my morale and boost others arrogance.
“That’s the spirit. I need your help next, so you better hang in there. I’m pregnant and can’t take charge of most things we need to do.”
Christina grabbed her coat and put it on. Then, she stuffed her phone and wallet into the coat pocket and called for the butler. “I need to go to the studio and won’t be back for lunch. I’ll inform Mr. Hadley about this later.”
Raymond nodded. “All right. I’ll arrange a driver for you and Ms. Maguire right away.”
“Okay.” Christina and Rayne exited the mansion together and saw Lyle waiting in a car at the entrance.
He had changed into a cla*sic black and white suit. His aloof aura made his fierce facial features appear even more intimidating.
Seeing Lyle’s towering and brawny figure, Rayne subconsciously shrunk behind Christina, tugging at the latter’s sleeve, and whispered, “Christina, where did you hire this driver? He looks like he’s here to cause trouble. What a frightening man.”
Christina responded, “His name is Lyle. He’s the bodyguard Mr. Hadley hired to protect me. He may seem scary, but he’s actually a nice person. You don’t have to be afraid of him.”
Lyle nodded at Christina and opened the car door for them. “Mrs. Hadley, Ms. Maguire, please get in the car.”
His outward form was forbidding, but his voice was even colder.
Chills running down her spine, Rayne felt the experience of getting into the vehicle was no different from stepping into an execution ground. She sat as close to Christina as possible and forced a smile at Lyle,
Lyle closed the car door behind them in silence before turning around to get into the driver’s seat and steadily drove the car onto the road.
“Christina, what did he do before he became your bodyguard? Why do I feel like he has killed someone?” Rayne asked with an undertone.
The quiet Lyle suddenly chimed in, “I was a mercenary abroad. Indeed, my hands are stained with blood, but I have never committed murder. Besides, I’ve switched jobs to work as a full-time bodyguard now.”
Rayne didn’t expect Lyle’s hearing to be so sharp. I thought I’d spoken softly enough.
She uttered uneasily, “I’m sorry. I’m a timid person. I didn’t mean to target you.”
Lyle was unfazed. “That’s all right.”
His appearance had caused him plenty of trouble before, so he was used to people judging him by his looks.
Christina said, “Can you rest a*sured now?”
Rayne scrunched up her face and nodded.
Lyle dropped the two off at the studio entrance and then drove off alone to find a parking spot. Christina and Rayne went into the studio first.
After the studio was accused of committing plagiarism, their business plummeted. Many new and old customers canceled their orders and demanded the studio to compensate for losses and breach of
contract.
The studio’s designers had it even worse. Their past mistakes, no matter how insignificant, were dug up and magnified by Emilia’s fervent fans, causing them to be mocked and berated by the public. Even the designers mentors and schools were criticized.
“Perk up, everybody. Ms. Steele is here to back us up.” Rayne clapped loudly to rouse the employees’ spirits. “Go get freshened up, and we’ll gather in the conference room in ten minutes.
Seeing their pillar of strength, everyone was invigorated. Some rushed to the restroom while others approached Christina to ask about her well-being and express how they’d missed her.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed in the room, silencing everyone.
