Chapter 020 Two weeks later " I take back everything I said before , you are a genius , " Damien murmured against my ear as I stood in front of the press , poised and confident True to my word we were able to complete the euphoria project in a week , finalize the designs , convince the board , and make the collection live A smile graced my lips as I recalled how I had jumped around in Damien's apartment when I realized how many sales we made in a week . The moment led to a hug neither of us expected , that said , something was happening between us . Damien was everything I never had . Someone loyal , sweet , kind , and just , perfect . Yet , somehow , he didn't feel right for me Which was stupid , because , the one who was supposed to be right was …. He was going to be engaged to someone else in two days . My heart clenched at the thought . " Silver designer ! The euphoria was a success and Clava has kicked off , how do you feel about this ? " " Being one of the top designers in the country , how do you keep up , " Is it true that you are getting married in a few days ? " 1 froze at the third question Marriage I was getting married to Damien . The lie had twisted in so many ways and now , I felt stuck because someone had leaked to the press . Damien promised to handle it , but " Are you okay ? " " Yes , we are getting married , " I said as I caught sight of someone in the crowd . Our eyes locked and she rolled her eyes . "I also have important news to share , " The camera flashes increased Whispers rang through the room and everyone's eyes flickered with excitement at my words . I never thought I would be able to command a room , yet here I was . " My new company , Dulia will be releasing its first collection today I sincerely hope for a positive response from everyone . The project name is Entangled and it's specifically for women who feel stuck and yet somehow manage to come out beautiful , amazing , and talented . " The crowd erupted into applause and Damien helped me down the stairs . Several guards surrounded us , leading us out of the press conference and camera flashes continued As we walked toward the car , I caught sight of Greta pacing back and forth , biting her nails . She spoke before I could . * Julia Julia , everything is ruined " I froze , my heart sinking into my stomach " What happened ? " -the- you need to see it for yourself " She showed me her tablet and as I registered the images , it slipped from my grasp and hit the ground Despite being cracked , the image on the screen taunted me . My fists tightened at my sides as Damien picked it up , a string of trustrated words escaping his lips " How could we be so careless ? Of course , he would do this " I stumbled feeling as if a rug had been pulled underneath my feet because Atlas Volkan had cheated me again . He had teleased the designs for Dulia before me How how did he get it ? How could this be happening ? Only our private team worked on that project ! How could he he still have so much power ?! " Julia " Greta rushed after me as I took quick strides away from everyone . -25 BONUS " I told you , Julia Damien's voice came . " Atlas has no limits . He couldn't bear to see new company " success and now , he's targeting your " We'll need to research to know if it's- " " Enough , 11 , Greta . My voice cracked and I swallowed a sob " Stop defending him . The products were posted from his company's profile ! He's the freaking CEO , of course , he knew " Yes , Greta , " Damien said and his phone pinged . He pulled it out and sighed . " What ? What's wrong ? " I asked as he massaged his temples . " The investors for Dulia want to pull out I also found this , " He showed me several pictures of one of our team members speaking to Atlas . " He had a mole on us , Julia , What other evidence do you need ? " " Julia Greta tried to speak but I held my hand up . " Enough " I spat I have had enough of Atlas Volkan . I have moved on , yet he ? He thinks he has the right to play Fine Two can play that game . " with my life ? I didn't wait for them to register my words , I entered one of the cars and gave the driver a location . I was going to speak to Atlas and this time , he would listen . When we arrived at Volkan Industries , My knuckles had turned white , I was seething and struggling to breathe without screaming in frustration He had crossed all his limits . " Ma'am ? You can't come in without a- ' I pushed the secretary aside and barged into Atlas ' conference room . All the businessmen seated turned to see me , standing Atlas Volkan himself . at the door , glaring at the idiot who sat at the head of the table The secretary scurried in , eyes widened . I am so sorry sir ! She pushed me aside , I will call security now- " Leave Shirley , " Atlas instructed , standing up . Several pair of eyes remained on me as I marched over to Atlas and without a second thought , slapped him across the face His eyes widened and I half expected a more violent reaction than tracing his cheek . He gestured at the men to leave , before turning to mne " Care to explain ? " I slapped him again , still struggling to find words , but when I raised my hand the third time , he caught it , his eyes softened as huma be reached for my cheek , " Are these tears ? " slapped his hand sway and shoved the pictures in his face " You hurt me , insulted me , humiliated me You chose to marry my sister , you treated me like crap for years and started acting like a jealous freak later on I turned a blind eye to everything " i stepped forward and lie stumbled into the wall His eyes widened enough for me to notice and Atlas seemed genuinely confused " Is this about the wedding ? I already have I " I forgave every mustake you made I overlooked it , so swept it under the rug and 1-1 tried , Atlas ' I tried to erase you from my lide but your pointed at him , my body shaking as he picked up the photos , frowning at them . I " You still came after this ! After the only thing I had Thist This is all I have Atlas ! Are you even human ? " DIUSACU past me DILU IULNCU DIE UUMI MI HIS WAYILAISE PUMA , USIMAS pisseny a summLA MAEL windows closed and he approached me , sucking in a deep breath . " How many times did you recite this ? I mean , how many hours of practice did it take ? " LILL I froze , raising an eyebrow . He thought this was an act ? Why is he unfazed after seeing an image of him and that person ? My stomach twisted. Why was Atlas acting like he was innocent ? " Look , I know you are desperate to stop the wedding , right ? This is your final act ? " A small smile found its way to his face . He stuck his hands into his pockets . " The room is soundproof . You can beg as much as you want , I will forgive you but you will have to put in a lot more effort . " For a few seconds , I remained in the same spot , struggling to comprehend what was happening He thought I was … begging him ? He didn't look like someone who stole any design , he looked like a delusional man waiting for an impossible dream No. It was an act . As always . This time ? I would not fall for it . " Today was Dulia's launch . It was supposed to go live a few minutes ago . " Atlas rolled his eyes and plopped down on the chair . " And ? " " The designs were leaked . " He froze for a split second . " That's what you get for trusting an incompetent man like Damien . See ? All your effort , wasted ! " I marched over to him and pressed my hands on each side of the chair's armrest " How many times did you practice this , Atlas ? " He frowned , his forehead creasing at my words . " What ? " " Drop the act . I saw the news . My designs were released by your company . " " What ?" " You didn't just steal my designs , Atlas . You didn't just steal my dreams to get back at me , you stole the only thing I had left … " " Hold up , there must be e some misunderstanding somewhere because I have been- " Stop lying to o me I snapped and the chair turned over , Atlas caught me before I could hit the ground and we ended up on each other The words died in my mouth as he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear . "I could have forgiven you for everything . " Something flickered in his eyes as our eyes locked . " But this ? This is where I draw the line Atlas " "He's fooling you Damien is - he's lying to you , Julia ! Why would I overlook the euphoria project and then attack the- " " Because you're unpredictable " I snapped as our lips brushed . " It's what you freaking do , Atlas ! You've done it before ! You are so desperate to have your cake and eat it as well " I stood and turned to him , wiping my tears . " But I'll make you a promise Atlas ," I closed the distance between us and I could feel his breaths on my skin before I spoke " You will pay for this before dawn . " He shook his head and a sob finally escaped my lips . " I promise you on the love I had for you that you will pay for this ני