272 Chapter 012 " Wha- " Her jaw dropped and she glanced around , " Atlas ! Look at what she's doing ! " I rolled my eyes and strolled till I was standing in the stadium . The guests erupted into whispers and murmurs while camera flashes broke through the tension . " Could the rumors be true ? " One of the guests said eyes widened " Wait . Are you trying to say that the silver designer is a simple housewife ? " " Why not ? " I spat , turning to face everyone . " Why ? Why is it that whenever a woman decides to sacrifice something to please her family or support them , you her box into that sacrifice ? You expect her to continue sacrificing , it unpaid labor , and then , there's interest too because we pay with our self - respect . " I tightened my fists at my sides , feeling someone's eyes on me It was him , who else ? " A woman decides to embrace her family , you call her a housewife and brand it as her duty , " Years of humiliation and servitude flashed before my eyes as they locked on Atlas " " But , when a man does it , he's smart , commendable ? He's not a househusband ? " I paused and a dry chuckle escaped my lips . "It doesn't even sound right . " " A husband can have a career ? But a wife should be branded within the four walls of her home and just because she is there she has nothing else to offer ? " The silence in the room is as deafening as my words hung in the air . " Well , you are all wrong . Especially you two . Sadly , women are the ones always bringing women down . So , listen to me " I turned to the camera and Lovie shook her head . " No ! You can't do this to me ! No one should believe her- " Hello , Los Angeles . It's Julia … " My gaze dropped on Atlas before I continued . " Julia Knight I chose my last name instead . " Or should I say , the silver designer ? " The crowd erupted into an uproar as I spoke through my projects in detail , recounting things and details only I could have known about . * Lies ! All of it is lies ! " " Yes , Miss Lovie has been the face for so many years . How can it all be fake ? " " You have a point , bu " My client can be lying. But , " everyone turned as Greta stepped up , her blue eyes tracing the crowd . " Does the evidence lie too ? " she pushed a box toward the press . " Inside that box , we have recordings in real time of my client working on her designs , contracts , and all the details she had with Volkan Industries , and funny enough , " She turned to Lovie . " Your name isn't anywhere there . " Lovie scrambled and collected the box , her body shaking . " No … no this cannot be I am the silver designer ! It's me ! If it cannot be me , then My eyes widened as she charged at me with a vase , but before I could move , it shattered into pieces . My breath hitched as we came face to face . The world stopped as Atlas breathed , daring to reach for my cheek as blood rolled down his face . He took the hit . Did he take the hit for me ? " You " Are you okay ? " I couldn't find words but somehow , it was enough for him . He wrapped his arms around with so much familiarity Like he had done this for years - like he wanted to do this , for the longest time . " Have you gone mad , Lovie ?" Atlas boomed . " It's one thing to fight over this and another thing entirely to attach Julia ' She is your sister ! " Lovie stumbled at the scene , unsure whether to revert to her victimized state or show her true colors . " Atlas … " Her bottom lip wobbled and I realized she had made her choice " She can't you see what she's doing ? She is provoking me , I - 1 would never- " Her words died in her mouth as she collided with the ground I scoffed , she had faked unconsciousness to not face the press ? How far would Lovie go ? Well , she could sleep all she wanted Whenever she woke up , the truth would remain the same , I got my rights back . I won . Everyone knows my true identity now and they look at me with respect and adoration . I finally got what I wanted . My rights and shares at the company Now , all I had to do was- " Wait , Greta " I snapped out of my thoughts as the maids helped Lovie up . I turned to see that Atlas was standing fighting the urge to follow her . beside me , " You can leave . I don't want you here ," I said , walking away when he grabbed my wrist . A lump grew in my throat as he spoke . " I know . I … It is I who needs you , Julia . " - My gaze dropped to his muddy shoes . " I am tired , Atlas . If you care about me , even a little just sign the divorce papers and go to your beloved . I can see the unease in your eyes . " Before he could speak , I was following Greta to my bedroom . " Who was that sponsor ? " " I don't know his face , all I know is that he's Mr. AJ ' " Well , " I plopped down on - my bed , taking off some jewelry . " We have to thank him m at some point , right ? " " I think he's not done with us , " Greta added with a sparkle in her eyes and I raised an eyebrow . " He wants to host a banquet with your designs . The best thing is that he's willing to have it close for your comfort . " Greta twirled , bouncing on her feet . " This sponsor sounds like a man smitten with lover My stomach twisted at her words . Who could this person be ? Such dedication ? What could they want ? No , I couldn't keep accepting favors from- " We get to choose the location for the banquet and maybe we can meet him in person and- " " No , just tell them- " My words were cut off by our phones beeping at the same time . Our eyes met and I shrugged as I picked up , my phone , Greta doing the same . My grip on the sheets tightened and my heart rate picked up as I read the message . Of course , Atlas wouldn't give up so easily . He had cooked something else . This s man is shameless ! How far will he go ? " Greta fumed . " He has challenged you to participate in the annual designer challenge ! Where will you get fifteen designer clothes in one night ? And he dragged the press into it too !" " No , no , this is bad , " Greta continued as I ran my hands through my hair . " We'll need a location , designs , fabrics , people , 1- " " What ? Don't tell me you're chickening out , Julia ? " Our heads snapped to the door and I stood , breathing heavily as Atlas walked into the room. " What do you want ? What is this drama ? " "You know what I want Julia So , I will settle this once and for all . If you can present those designs by tomorrow , I will personally sign the divorce . " My heart skipped a beat . He knew it was impossible to do that . What sort of joke was this ? " But if you cannot ? You will continue working for Volkan Industries and I will no longer be obligated to divorce you . " " I will involve the press . I will tell- " He shushed me by placing his finger on my lips and 1 froze as my eyes traveled to his Atlas closed the distance between us . " No need , buttercup . I already did . " " Don't call me that . " I gritted " What ? Buttercup ? Why are you getting angry , Butter- "What do you take me for ? Do I look like a joke ? " " Not at all . 1.have never taken you for a joke or a clown . I have always been serious when it comes to you . Back then , and ΠΟΥ " Now , I understand what you want I get it . " my heart broke at my realization . " You are determined to punish me for killing your brother , right ? You still think I drugged you and pushed him to his death , right ? " " Julia " Atlas ' resolve evaporated and I swallowed the lump in my throat . " Fine , I will end this drama once and for all . " his jaw tightened at my words . I will participate in tomorrow's challenge but on another condition , not the divorce . " Atlas frowned , raising an eyebrow , " If I win tomorrow , you will have to confess to everyone that for the past three years , you helped Lovie steal my rights and make me sign a contract to work under your company a contract that can only be called slavery His shoulders sagged at my words but I continued . " After I win , Atlas . " I continued , reassuring myself . I will expose the truth about what happened years ago and who betrayed whom Then , you must promise me , " " Promise you what ? " our eyes were lost in each other's now . My voice finally cracked . " That you'll set me free . Once the truth is out . You will sign those papers no matter what " Atlas stumbled as I bit back a sob , speaking . " You will pack my things and throw them out : No more challenges , no more games . No dragging this out . Nothing . I want everything to be over . Do you promise me ? " " Atlas you have never done anything nice for me , this is your chance . " For the first time in three years , Atlas Volkan stuttered . " I - I promise . " He exited the room and Greta shut the door , glaring at me . " You talked a big game ! How are are we going to make this work ? " " The only thing better than a blind man is a smitten one , " I commented , shrugging . " Call our sponsor , I would love a banquet . Tomorrow and at the challenge center . "