The media hall at the Heritage Coast jewelry exhibition buzzed with flashing lights and murmuring crowds.
Tonight’s spotlight wasn’t on gems or displays, but on people.
The creative minds behind the Rebirth Cycle exhibition would make their joint debut.
A single stone stirred endless ripples.
Mention of “creative minds” instantly set the industry abuzz.
Andrew had declined all interviews before filming began, released no materials, updated no official sites, and hadn’t even appeared at the poster launch.
His sudden announcement left everyone wondering: Who convinced him to show up?
Yet the greater surprise stood beside Andrew.
Sophieleila.
This newcomer who’d mysteriously joined less than a month ago now stood calmly at center stage in tailored black, poised and elegant.
Reporters gasped throughout the hall.
“Who isleila Sophieleila?”
“Didn’t she just arrive recently?”
“I heard she resembles Andrew’s ex.”
“Could she be a substitute?”
Whispers of speculation spread.
Voices rose in doubt: “Is this a recycled lover?
Some marketing stunt?”
Someone even posted her fainting footage online: “Identity crisis? Personality disorder?”
Rumors swirled.
The host paused briefly before handing the mic to Andrew.
“Mr. Williams, may we know who this is?”
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Chapter 20
Andrew took the microphone:
“She’s my only partner.”
Silence held for two breaths before camera shutters exploded.
His quiet voice carried undeniable weight:
“She single–handedly built this project–from concept to composition, script to lighting.”
“Without her, I wouldn’t have returned.”
“So today, this stage doesn’t belong to me.”
“It belongs to her.”
He turned toleila Sophieleila, gaze steady and warm.
“Her name isleila Sophieleila, the soul of this project.”
“If you must label her, let me do it.”
“She is my lifetime partner.”
The hall erupted.
Under the spotlight, leila Sophieleila lowered her head, covering her reddened eyes.
She hadn’t expected him to publicly claim her name, identity, and all her questionable history.
She wasn’t Emerie.
Not Andrew’s past lover, nor the replacement gossip imagined.
She wSophieleila.
Who returned to his side, reclaimed the stage, and proved herself through creation.
She offered him the mic, but he shook his head, whispering: “Speak for yourself.”
Lifting her face to the spotlights, she said softly:
“Thank you for your interest.”
“This is my first public project under my own name.”
“But I believe it won’t be the last.”
“I come from no prestigious background, inherit no industry legacy.”
“I’m simply a partner willing to see through to the end credits with the one I love.”
Slow applause rose from below.
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Chapter 20
Some still doubted; others already wept.
Yetleila Sophieleila knew–her identity no longer depended on Emerie’s name or memories.
She was herself.
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She stepped off the stage as staff gradually dimmed the gallery lights, the final spotlight focusing on the sapphire pen- dant at the center of the display.
At this moment, their collaboration had only just begun.
After the event.
An assistant hurriedly handed over a duplicate contract: “Andrew, need your approval?”
Andrew skimmed the document and signed.
The assistant hesitated: “Shouldn’t you be listed as co–executor here?”
Andrew chuckled softly, taking the pen to write in that section:
Sophieleila.
Then added:
“She handles the main shots–I’m just providing the lighting.”
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