Roy's self-importance was almost nauseating. I couldn't fathom how I had ever been infatuated with a man like him. I had no intention of getting dragged into their mess again.

Just as I was about to reveal my identity, Roy interrupted, "Don't feel sorry for yourself. At this point in your life, with nothing to your name, only I would even consider letting you in. Ava is easygoing. Just do your part, and she won't make things difficult."

Five years had passed, yet whenever Roy mentioned Ava Blake, his expression softened. In contrast, I would always be the one trailing behind him, taking care of everything.

Thankfully, everything had already changed. Roy and Ava had a child, and I had long since built my own career.

I had no patience to argue further, so I cut him off. "I'm the one you've been waiting for. Let's go upstairs right now."

The moment I said that, everyone around burst into laughter.

"Straight upstairs? Sylvia, who do you think you are? Did you even go to college?"

"Look at yourself. Which part of you looks like a designer?"

"You just share a last name with Sarah. You don't actually think you're the one we're here to welcome, do you?"

Even Roy smiled. "Sylvia, I know your dream was to be a designer, but the person we're here for is an internationally renowned designer. It's really not you. At your age, you shouldn't be chasing such unrealistic dreams."

I didn't even bother arguing. I pushed past the crowd, intent on going straight upstairs. Once I met the partner, everything would be cleared up.

Roy, of course, thought otherwise. He grabbed my sleeve, trying to pull me back.

Then, a delicate voice came from behind. "Roy, what are you doing?"

I turned around in surprise. It was Ava. Wasn't she supposed to be in postpartum recovery?

Before I could think further, Roy's expression turned serious. "Ava, you're still in postpartum recovery. How can you just come out like this? What if you catch a cold?"

He draped his suit jacket over her shoulders. The scene felt like a replay of the past, yet I felt no stir of emotion.

Ava, however, was anything but calm. The moment she saw me, her expression immediately darkened.

Roy, completely unaware of her reaction, carried on as if nothing had happened. "Ava, you should head home. Sylvia's here, so she can help you with your recovery. That will put my mind at ease."

"Perfect!" Ava said with a bright smile, turning to me. "Sylvia is great at taking care of people. With her here, I'm in good hands."

Even after all these years, Ava still knew exactly how to get under my skin.

"Enough," Roy said. "I'm already giving you a job, which is more than enough. It's only because Ava is weak and needs care. Otherwise, my family doesn't need another housekeeper like you."

I kept my expression cold and said firmly, "I'm the one you're here for."

"Roy, take me upstairs now. I'm the designer Mr. Lopez—"

Before I could finish, Roy lost his patience and shoved me to the ground. "Do you even understand how important today's designer is? Move! Don't just stand there!"

I fought to keep my temper in check. "Roy, I don't have time for this."

With that, I grabbed my bag and started walking toward the elevator.

Just then, Ava let out a startled gasp, pointing at my outfit with trembling hands. "Roy, her clothes look like pieces from the latest runway collection."

Roy's softened expression quickly turned cold. He studied my outfit closely and sneered. "Her outfit's from this year's collection.

"At this point, the factories probably haven't even finished producing it. Where did you get it?"

Before I could answer, Roy continued, "I know you're trying to get my attention by wearing new pieces, but do you realize how disastrous it is for a designer to wear knockoffs?"

I frowned and shook off Roy's hand from my sleeve. I knew exactly how damaging a knockoff could be for a designer, but this wasn't a knockoff.

Every piece I was wearing had been designed and made by me. Aside from being loaned out for a single runway show, there was no other piece like it in the world.

"I designed and made this outfit myself," I said firmly.

Ava immediately let out a mocking laugh. "Did you really design this, Sylvia? Don't tell me you're just Sarah under a different name."

I was about to nod when Roy slapped me across the face. "Can you stop acting insane? Look around you. Sarah is an internationally renowned designer.

"Countless major brands are fighting to work with her, but you? You don't even deserve to speak her name!"

Everyone around me looked at me with contempt.

I knew exactly what they meant. Five years ago, I had been a dull, exhausted housewife, following Roy around and handling chores. There was no way anyone would have linked me to that renowned designer.

I was Sarah, yet I refused to explain myself to them. I covered my face and glared at Roy.

Perhaps because I had never stood my ground like this before, my anger seemed to catch Roy off guard. He frowned, pulled a card from his wallet, and handed it to me.

"There's some money on this card. Use it to buy some clothes. After all, you've been with me for so many years. If you really want to meet Sarah, I'll help arrange it, but don't wear knockoffs."

I met everyone's gaze and handed the card back. "No need. We have nothing to do with each other anymore."

No matter how sour Roy's expression grew, I walked past him and headed upstairs.

I always kept my word. Since I had promised to meet the partner, I couldn't leave in such a messy way. Before I had even taken two steps, Roy's cold voice cut through the air.

"Nothing to do with me? Sylvia, you really are something."

Perhaps humiliated in front of everyone, Roy gritted his teeth in anger.

"Sylvia, I'm giving you one last chance. Are you going to change your clothes or not?"

Seeing Roy genuinely angry, the people around quickly stepped in to hold me back.

"Just go change, Sylvia. Roy's really angry this time. Don't push him any further."

I let out a cold laugh. "Is that so? And what exactly happens when he gets angry?"

No one dared answer my question. I smirked, shook them off, and continued toward the staircase.

Just then, someone suddenly shouted, "Roy, this is serious! Sarah still hasn't arrived, and Mr. Lopez is coming downstairs personally to meet her!"

Roy immediately panicked. He had no time to deal with me and hurried toward the elevator with his team to meet Wilson Lopez, my business partner.

At that moment, Ava's eyes locked on mine as I waited by the elevator. She gave me a cold, piercing look before suddenly remembering something.

She pointed at me and shouted, "Roy, if she's standing here dressed like that, won't Mr. Lopez get the wrong idea?"

Hearing her, the others exchanged uneasy glances. "Ava's right, Roy. If Mr. Lopez sees Sylvia like this, we're going to be in trouble."

Roy's expression shifted between pale and livid before he finally made up his mind. "Strip her clothes off."

The moment he said it, Ava's eyes lit up with excitement. She urged eagerly, "Hurry up. Strip her clothes off and throw her out."

Knowing Wilson was about to arrive downstairs, I felt unexpectedly calm. "Are you sure you want to strip me?"

The others started to hesitate when they saw how confident I was.

Only Ava looked as though the hatred in her eyes was about to spill over. "If you won't do it, I will."

She stepped forward and grabbed at my clothes.

I hadn't expected her to actually do it. I struggled to shake her off, but I used too much force and sent her crashing to the ground.

The instant she hit the floor, her tears followed.

"Roy, I was only trying to help you. I was afraid she'd cause you to lose your job."

The tears of the one he cared about were the perfect trigger.

Roy's anger flared instantly. He slapped me twice across the face. "You vicious woman!"

Roy grabbed my clothes with both hands and tore them apart in front of everyone. "Don't you love wearing knockoffs? Let's see how you like it now!"

I screamed, scrambling to grab the torn fabric on the ground to cover my exposed body.

Blood slowly trickled down from the corner of my mouth.

I glared at him and said, "Roy, you'll regret this."

"Regret it?"

Roy looked at me coldly. "Sylvia, I only pitied you before. Now, I'll give you one last chance. Do you want to continue being my lover?"

Hearing that, Ava turned toward him in shock and shot me a venomous glare, as if she would tear me apart the moment I nodded.

Just as I was about to respond, the elevator arrived.

Seeing me in such a pitiful state, Wilson gasped in surprise and called out my name.

"Sarah?"