Two Faced Lover - Chapter 82

82: Leaked

Before the words had fully settled, Ava’s sharp voice rang out from outside the door. Due to the previously tense atmosphere, what she thought was a whisper might as well have been broadcast on speakerphone.

“Holy sh1t—holy fucking sh1t—”

If not for Gu Miao pinching the soft flesh at her waist, Ava was sure she would’ve used up an entire year’s worth of “holy shits” in one go.

On the way to the office, Ava had confidently told Gu Miao, “Xiao Yan and Little Meng have clashing auras. The office must be freezing—you open the door, I can’t handle the cold.”

Who knew Gu Miao, that blockhead, wouldn’t even knock before barging in? With just a glance, Ava saw the usually gentle and kind Bo Mingyan pinning Little Meng against the desk. And the typically cold, stern Meng Xuran—the one even Liu Yang, a grown man, feared—had tears at the corners of her eyes, lips red and slightly swollen, glistening with something unmistakable.

This wasn’t freezing—this was practically sparking a wildfire!

In Ava’s memory, Meng Xuran had always worn a gentle, approachable face, but in reality, she was an iceberg.

Every time something happened, Meng Xuran would notify them via email first. The emotionless text across the screen made her seem even colder. Even the company’s old-timers praised Meng Xuran for being decisive and mature despite her youth.

Outside of meetings and fashion shows, they rarely had one-on-one interactions with her. Department gatherings, inter-department events—Meng Xuran was never seen at any of them.

No wonder Meng Xuran kept summoning Bo Mingyan to her office.
No wonder she’d kept Bo Mingyan by her side during the company trip and specifically booked a double bed room.
No wonder she’d radiated icy displeasure whenever they crowded around Bo Mingyan during breakfast.

What fucking clashing auras?! Who the hell spread that nonsense?!

At the door, Ava took a step back, then another, hiding behind Gu Miao, her mind blank, her soul halfway to the heavens.

Inside, Bo Mingyan heard Ava’s voice and silently loosened her grip on Meng Xuran’s slender waist. She took a step, then another, shifting to stand slightly to the side, awkwardly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

The contrast between Bo Mingyan’s earlier domineering demeanor and her current flustered state struck Meng Xuran as unbearably cute. Amused, she shot Bo Mingyan a glance, adjusted her collar, and lazily leaned against the desk, one hand braced on the edge. Her fingers crept sideways like a crab before hooking lightly, waiting for Bo Mingyan’s fingers to intertwine with hers.

Maintaining her composure, Meng Xuran asked Gu Miao, “What’s the matter? Come in and close the door.”

Ava silently shut the door behind them.

“It’s a disaster!” Gu Miao, startled by Ava’s outburst, had momentarily forgotten the actual issue and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Your relationship is exposed!”

Meng Xuran arched a brow. “That’s it?”

Ever since they’d met, the two had bickered constantly. Gu Miao clicked her tongue, ignoring Ava jabbing her back, and retorted, “Office romances are banned. Shouldn’t you lead by example?”

Meng Xuran’s lips curled into a frosty smile. “Did you swallow the new HR policy posted in the company group this morning?”

“What new policy?” Gu Miao pulled out her phone and checked the group chat. “Holy crap, they removed the ‘no office dating’ rule?! That’s cheating!”

Meng Xuran narrowed her eyes, sweeping her gaze over Gu Miao and Ava before scoffing. “No knocking, just here to catch me dating? Should I award you two a medal for your outstanding contribution to the company?”

The sarcasm was thick enough to slice. Ava’s heart pounded as she frantically poked Gu Miao, who grabbed her hand and kept arguing. “I mean, if you’re offering…”

Meng Xuran smirked. “Then time-travel to last year. The rules have changed—no dice now.”

Gu Miao’s jaw dropped. “Wait—you were already together last year?! Can I report this?!”

Meng Xuran: “…”

Having witnessed Meng Xuran’s sharp tongue, it was rare to see her hoist by her own petard. Watching her speechless expression, Bo Mingyan turned her head away.

Meng Xuran immediately glared at her. “Don’t you dare laugh!”

Ava, about to pinch Gu Miao into getting to the point, froze at the command. She craned her neck to look at Bo Mingyan but could only see her profile. Based on her understanding, Bo Mingyan’s smiles were usually just slight upturns of the lips—how did Meng Xuran, without even looking, know she was laughing?

Gu Miao stroked her chin, then grinned. “I remember the company policy says whistleblowers get bonuses, right?”

Meng Xuran: “…”

Gu Miao pressed on. “Or you could just pay us hush money?”

Meng Xuran contemplated throwing a ball of yarn at her.

Perhaps her hesitation made her seem thoroughly defeated, because Bo Mingyan—who had stayed quiet until now—chimed in with deadpan seriousness. “Is there a bonus? Can I turn myself in then?”

Meng Xuran was livid. She puffed out her cheeks and dug her nails into Bo Mingyan’s hand, whining, “How can you gang up on me with her?!”

Bo Mingyan explained earnestly, “It’s called ‘keeping the wealth within the family.'”

Meng Xuran’s lips parted, but she couldn’t find a retort.

Gu Miao nearly choked laughing.

Based on what Meng Xuran had previously said about Bo Mingyan and Ava’s descriptions, Gu Miao had always thought of her as a pretty but silent gourd.

Only now did she realize—the silence was just because Bo Mingyan hadn’t liked anyone before.

She also realized: Meng Xuran is done for. She’s going to be wrapped around Bo Mingyan’s finger for life.

The feeling of being treated as special was addictive.

Ava’s eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, stunned not just by the contrast of Meng Xuran’s coquettish complaint, but also because she’d never heard Bo Mingyan joke before—and now she was laughing, genuinely laughing.

Bo Mingyan’s features were like a sharply carved work of art—beautiful but edged with coolness. Though she often smiled, those faint smiles never reached her eyes, remaining distant.

But now, even the hand pressed to her lips couldn’t hide the curve of her mouth, the slight tremble of her shoulders.

It was as if the thin layer of polite but icy detachment had shattered, revealing the real Bo Mingyan beneath—vibrant and alive.

The office atmosphere warmed with their banter.

But only briefly.

Ava remembered the actual issue. Glancing at Gu Miao, who was grinning like an idiot, she knew she couldn’t rely on her. She pushed past Gu Miao and stepped forward, serious. “Meng Xuran, the rejected designs Bo Mingyan made for ‘Assassination’ before the female lead was recast—they might have been plagiarized.”

“Might?” Bo Mingyan’s smile vanished instantly, her brows knitting together.

“Don’t just stand there. Sit.” Meng Xuran moved to the sofa. Once everyone was seated, she asked, “What happened?”

Gu Miao swiped on her phone and handed it to Meng Xuran. “The model group chat is buzzing. First, S Brand’s model posted photos of their new collection. Then A Brand’s model noticed similarities to their own designs and reported it. A Brand demanded S Brand take the clothes down. I showed Ava, and she said those designs looked like ours.”

Both brands were small, independent designer labels.

Ava added, “If I remember correctly, it’s Bo Mingyan’s first draft for ‘Assassination.’ The patterns are almost identical to the final version. I brought Gu Miao here to confirm.”

Meng Xuran opened the photos on Gu Miao’s phone and tilted the screen toward Bo Mingyan, who leaned in, her frown deepening.

The first photo showed a model wearing a modified version of the outfit, but the borrowed floral motifs were unmistakable.

Bo Mingyan tapped the second photo—A Brand’s “original” design submitted for the copyright claim. “This is my work.”

It was a carbon copy.

“I knew it! I told you it looked just like yours—this was the simplest one, so it stuck in my mind.” Ava slapped her thigh excitedly. “All your other designs had cutouts or embroidery. Only this one used prints.”

Gu Miao took back her phone, teasing, “Then they’re terrible at copying—they picked the easiest one.”

“Wrong.” Meng Xuran’s voice was icy. “They’re too good at it.”

Gu Miao didn’t understand. Ava explained, “The other designs had intricate cutouts and layered embroidery that would’ve been expensive to replicate. If sales flopped, they’d lose money. But this printed design is casual, easy to produce—perfect for plagiarism. Just snap a photo, trace it in Photoshop, and you’re done.”

Gu Miao winced. “How did the design leak?”

The original female lead for “Assassination” wasn’t Gu Yuwei. After the recast, the character underwent major changes, requiring near-total redesigns. The first draft was stored on Bo Mingyan’s computer, seen by only a handful of people.

Bo Mingyan’s frown deepened as she mentally reviewed the list. Her gaze flicked to Meng Xuran, whose expression was equally grave.

Their eyes met.

A silent understanding passed between them. Bo Mingyan listed, “Besides you, the director, stylist, Gu Yuwei, and the haute couture team, only the sample room tailors saw it.”

“The film crew and Gu Yuwei are unlikely. They didn’t take photos during our design discussion—no one could replicate it from memory alone.” Meng Xuran ruled them out first.

Ava chimed in, “Our haute couture team wouldn’t do it either. There’s no benefit.”

Selling out a colleague’s work would ruin their reputation industry-wide.

Meng Xuran nodded. “The tailors have been with me since the company started. They wouldn’t risk it.”

Gu Miao slumped on the sofa. “By that logic, everyone’s cleared. So who did it?”

Bo Mingyan thought for a moment. “Someone might’ve taken photos when the tailors weren’t around.”

Her computer was password-protected, always locked when she stepped away. But the sample room might not have been as secure.

Meng Xuran’s eyes drifted to the office security camera. “You sent the draft to the tailors before the redesign?”

Bo Mingyan hummed in agreement, following Meng Xuran’s gaze. She pulled out her phone to check the exact timeframe.

The culprit would be on camera entering the sample room during that period.

“Keep this quiet for now.” Meng Xuran instructed.

Ava nodded vigorously.

Just as they finalized their plan, the office door knocked. Meng Xuran rubbed her temples. “Come in.”

The PR manager entered, pausing at the sight of the crowd.

Meng Xuran asked, “What is it?”

“Someone online posted that our ‘Assassination’ designs copied A Brand’s patterns, claiming A Brand’s drafts predated ours.”

He hesitated, then added:

“The post was boosted to trending.”