591: Chapter 586 A Dreamlike Calculation

Sun Miao's face was slightly flushed.

That was her proudest 'masterpiece'.

"Mr. Stirling, you flatter me. These are just some insignificant trinkets."

"No, no, no."

Stirling shook his finger.

"Those aren't trinkets; they are works of art!"

"The reason I came to China this time is to find that true artist."

His gaze fixed intensely on Sun Miao.

"To be honest, I'm not very interested in the 'Brilliant Era' company. What interests me is the person who created those works of art."

Sun Miao's heart began to pound wildly.

She understood the implied meaning behind Stirling's words.

"Mr. Stirling, what do you mean?"

"My family owns a small luxury group in Switzerland, and we are preparing to launch an entirely new high-end jewelry product line."

Stirling leaned forward, his voice carrying immense temptation.

"I hope you will serve as the Chief Designer, or even a brand partner, for this product line."

"We will establish a personal brand named after you, 'Sun Miao Haute Couture'."

"The group will invest one billion Euros in startup capital and give you twenty percent of the sweat equity."

One billion Euros!

Twenty percent of the sweat equity!

Sun Miao felt like her breath was about to stop.

She seemed to see herself standing at the pinnacle of the world, becoming a design master comparable to Cartier or Bulgari.

This was ten thousand times better than following that idiot Gao Jun!

"I... I..."

She was too excited to speak.

Stirling smiled and picked up his wine glass.

"Of course, we are not philanthropists."

"We need to confirm that you possess the ability to continuously create works of that caliber."

"After all, the recent works from the 'Brilliant Era', frankly speaking, have been somewhat... underwhelming."

This statement precisely hit Sun Miao's weak spot.

It also ignited her competitive spirit.

"Mr. Stirling, you don't know the situation!"

Sun Miao took a large gulp of whiskey; the alcohol emboldened her.

"The operation of the 'Brilliant Era' is currently led by Gao Jun. He is a businessman who understands nothing about art! All he knows is how to cut costs and chase viral hits—that's all garbage!"

"What about the early works?" Stirling pressed calmly.

"Those works... they are naturally the fruit of my labor!"

Sun Miao patted her chest, her cheeks flushed crimson.

"I stayed up countless nights for those designs! What does Gao Jun know? He only knows how to use my design drafts to brag!"

"Oh?" Stirling showed a look of sudden realization. "I see. That explains why one person's design style wouldn't change so drastically."

"Exactly!" Sun Miao felt she had found a confidant and began venting her grievances.

"In fact... in fact, some of the inspiration wasn't even mine."

She let out a hiccup and lowered her voice slightly.

"Gao Jun's Ex-wife, Li Jing, you know her, right? The one causing such a stir online today."

"I've heard a little."

"She, well, she did have some minor talent when she was in school, sometimes drawing some messy things. Gao Jun then told me to 'take a look for reference.'"

Sun Miao curled her lip dismissively.

"To put it plainly, she just gave me a concept. The actual design, from sketch to finished product, was all done by me!"

"Her stuff is too immature; without passing through my hands, it could never make it to the big stage!"

To prove her worth, she subconsciously belittled Li Jing while elevating herself.

She didn't notice that on the Montblanc pen Stirling had placed on the table, the red dot on the cap was faintly blinking.

Nor did she notice the faint, almost imperceptible curve at Ning Ke's lips.

"So that's how it is."

Stirling nodded as if suddenly enlightened.

"So, the copyright for those designs is actually still held by your company, and it has little to do with that Li Jing?"

"Of course!"

Sun Miao blurted out.

"She just provided some immature 'inspiration,' and we paid her money to buy it out! Now she's turning around and biting us—she's simply crazy!"

This sentence was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

It was an admission, in her own words, that the source of the designs was indeed Li Jing.

And the supposed 'buyout' lacked any contract or proof.

Stirling smiled with satisfaction.

He stood up and extended his hand to Sun Miao.

"Ms. Sun, I believe in your talent."

"The details of the cooperation, my legal team will contact you tomorrow."

"I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

Sun Miao excitedly grasped his hand, feeling as if she had grasped the key to glory.

She did not see that after he turned and left the private room,

The smile on Stirling's face instantly vanished, replaced by an icy coldness.

He took out his phone and dialed a number.

"CEO Shen."

"The recording and video are all obtained."

"She said even more than we anticipated."

On the other end of the line came Shen Yan's calm, expressionless voice.

"Very good."

"Notify Jin Feifan."

"Phase Three begins."

The call ended.

In Jin Feifan's office, the lights were brightly lit.

He pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose; the lenses reflected a cold, code-like light.

The war machine of the 'Black Shield Law Firm' began to operate.

The next morning.

Sun Miao was in a very good mood.

Extremely good.

She was even playing classical music through top-tier speakers in her spacious and bright office.

Everything from last night felt like a dreamlike rehearsal.

'Sun Miao Haute Couture.'

The name rolled off her tongue, carrying the sweetness of honey.

She could already see herself on the world's most prestigious runway, accepting applause from the entire globe.

That idiot Gao Jun, and that nagging woman Li Jing, would all be trampled under her feet.

The door was knocked.

It was her assistant.

"CEO Sun, there is an express delivery for you that requires your personal signature."

Sun Miao frowned slightly.

Was it the contract sent by Mr. Stirling's legal team?

Such efficiency.

She gracefully accepted the thick manila envelope and signed her name.

On the envelope was a symbol she didn't recognize.

A black shield pierced by a sword in the center.

She didn't think much of it and slit the seal open with an exquisite letter opener.

What came out was not a letter of intent for cooperation.

It was a lawyer's letter.

At the very top were four bolded black characters:

[Metropolitan Intermediate People's Court]

Sun Miao's breathing hitched for a moment.

Her gaze moved down.

Plaintiff: Li Jing.

Defendants: Gao Jun, Sun Miao, 'Brilliant Era' Jewelry Co., Ltd.

Litigation Claims: Copyright Infringement, Commercial Fraud, Unfair Competition...

Every single word was like a red-hot steel nail fiercely hammered into her pupils.

The coffee cup in her hand slipped.

With a 'smash,' it shattered on the expensive Persian rug.

The scalding liquid splashed onto the back of her hand.

Yet, she felt no pain.

Her mind went blank.

How could this be?