Chapter 7 Ann Turns Out to Be Sienna?

When Theodore arrived at Chloe's apartment, the door was slightly ajar.

He pushed it open and saw Chloe curled up on the sofa, tear stains on her face, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

"Theo." Seeing him, Chloe immediately rushed over and grabbed his arm. "I'm so scared."

Theodore didn't push her away, but he didn't return her embrace either.

"Chloe, what's really going on with those designs?"

Chloe's eyes darted away. "I... I just borrowed a little bit, really just a tiny bit. I didn't think anyone would dig it up..."

"Borrowed?" Theodore's voice turned cold. "Ninety percent similarity—you call that borrowing?"

Chloe bit her lip, crying harder. "Theo, I know I was wrong. I just had a moment of weakness. I was afraid my work wasn't good enough, afraid I'd embarrass you, so I..."

She looked up at him with tearful eyes. "You'll help me, won't you? Help me find this Annn person. As long as I have her authorization, this whole thing can be settled. I don't want this to affect you."

For the first time in his life, Theodore felt a flash of impatience with her tears.

After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Go abroad for a while to let things cool down. Come back when this blows over."

Chloe froze. "Go abroad?"

"Paris or Milan, your choice." Theodore pulled his arm free from her grasp. "I'll have someone make the arrangements."

"What about you? Won't you come with me?"

"I'm staying to handle this."

Chloe bit her lip, a flicker of resentment crossing her eyes, but it quickly disappeared. "Okay, I'll do what you say."

"Good." Theodore turned to leave.

"Theodore." Chloe called out behind him. "Are you... are you still mad at me?"

Theodore didn't turn around. He just said, "Pack your things," and strode away.

He didn't see that the moment he turned his back, Chloe's expression twisted with venom.

At the apartment.

After contacting Vivienne, Sienna started preparing her design drafts.

She was sketching when her phone screen lit up.

It was an email notification.

Sender: Paris Fashion Week Committee

[Dear Designer Ann, regarding the recent plagiarism allegations circulating online, the committee will hold a press conference at 2 PM in three days at the Paris Fashion Week main venue. You are specially invited to attend and clarify the situation. If you are unable to attend, the committee will make a ruling based on existing evidence.]

After reading the email, Sienna's lips slowly curved into a smile.

The day of the Paris Fashion Week press conference.

The media section was packed.

Cameras pointed at the stage as reporters whispered among themselves, discussing the biggest scandal in the fashion world in three years.

"I heard Ann is coming today?"

"She hasn't appeared in three years. Who is she really?"

"Whoever she is, Chloe is done for this time."

At exactly 2 PM, the lights came on.

The host walked onto the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for coming to today's conference. Regarding the recent allegations that designer Chloe plagiarized designer Ann's work, the committee has completed its investigation and reached a preliminary conclusion."

"We have invited designer Ann herself to the scene to personally clarify the situation."

The entire venue fell silent.

The lights dimmed for a moment, then brightened again.

A figure walked out from the side of the stage.

Her steps were measured and unhurried, her gaze calmly sweeping over the sea of people below.

The reporters' eyes widened as they looked at each other in confusion.

Who was this?

No one recognized her face.

Especially Theodore.

His eyes were filled with disbelief.

How could it be Sienna?!

Sienna stood at center stage, her gaze pausing on Theodore for less than half a second before moving on as if nothing had happened.

"Hello everyone." Her voice was clear and crisp. "I am Ann."

The venue erupted.

Camera shutters clicked like rain on a roof.

"Three years ago, I graduated from Parsons School of Design and released my first independent collection under the name Annn. I later withdrew from the public eye for personal reasons."

Her tone was flat, as if describing something that had nothing to do with her. "During my time away, my college graduation portfolio was kept at home. Recently, I discovered that the designs in this portfolio were extensively plagiarized by Ms. Chloe."

"Not only were they used for personal publication, but also for commercial collaborations and fashion week exhibitions."

As soon as she finished speaking, the audience exploded.

"Ms. Ann, you said the portfolio was kept at home—how did Chloe get it?"

"Ms. Ann, what was the reason for your withdrawal? Does it have anything to do with Chloe?"

"Will you be filing a lawsuit against Chloe?"

Sienna answered smoothly, "Regarding the plagiarism incident, I have submitted all evidence to the committee and my legal team. My lawyers will handle everything going forward."

With that, she bowed slightly and turned to walk off the stage.

Just as she turned, a figure suddenly stood up from the side of the venue.

It was Chloe.

Her eyes were red as she rushed to the front like a victim.

"How can it be you? There's no way you're Ann. You're lying!"

"She's lying!" Chloe's voice was shrill, tearful. "Those designs are mine! I worked so hard on them. Sienna is just jealous of me, so she's deliberately slandering me!"

The venue erupted again as reporters frantically pressed their shutters.

Sienna looked as if she'd heard the joke of the century. "Jealous of you? What would I be jealous of? Your talent for stealing?"

Someone in the audience laughed out loud.

Chloe's face turned red and white. "You have no proof. Those so-called design drafts—who knows if you didn't just draw them overnight!"

Sienna looked at her and smiled.

The smile was faint, but the coldness in her eyes made Chloe instinctively take half a step back.

"Still not convinced?" Sienna pulled out her phone, opened a video, and held it up to the cameras. "This is footage of me creating these designs three years ago. The video is timestamped. Want to study how I managed to travel back three years in one night to leave this video?"

The large screen immediately displayed the video.

In the footage, a younger Sienna sat in her studio, the "Rebirth" series design drafts spread before her, her fingers sketching lines on paper.

The timestamp in the lower right corner clearly showed—three years ago.

The venue erupted in chaos.

Chloe's face went completely white.

Sienna put away her phone and gave her one last look. "Chloe, see you in court."

With that, she walked off the stage without looking back, not even sparing Theodore a glance.

She wanted to see how Theodore would help Chloe this time!

Reporters swarmed forward but were firmly blocked by security.

Theodore sat in his seat, motionless.

He stared at the now-empty spot on stage, his fingers unconsciously gripping the armrest.

The genius designer he'd been searching for was actually Sienna!

And all of Chloe's work came from her.

Theodore tugged at his tie with one hand, feeling an indescribable irritation.

Why hadn't Sienna told him she was Annn?

Or was this all planned from the start, designed to get his attention?

At that thought, Theodore suddenly stood up and headed backstage.

"Sorry sir, you can't go backstage." A security guard reached out to stop him.

Theodore stopped, looking down at the guard with eyes as sharp as blades.

"Move."

"I'm sorry sir, without an invitation..."

"I said move." Theodore's voice wasn't loud, but each word seemed squeezed out from beneath ice, carrying undeniable pressure.

Though afraid, the security guard held his ground. "Sorry sir, it's the rules."

Theodore's gaze moved past the guard's shoulder to the closed door at the end of the hallway, and he called out.

"Sienna!"