From that day on, Madam Eliza liked Linda and she didn't hide it. The other models were glad she chose her; she was very good. She started teaching them small things they often overlooked, very important things.
Things Linda herself had never noticed before. How to walk without forcing elegance. How to control breathing in long hallways. How to let the shoulders relax while working confidently on heels, no matter the inches.
How to horse-walk on stripper heels, the trending walk that not all models could do, only Lena, Keystone top models, and a few international models.
"That's why you don't flow well yet," Madam Eliza said gently one afternoon. "You're strong… but you carry weight that isn't yours."
Linda listened quietly and nodded.
"Actually, you have to let it go. It's not your fault. I've experienced and seen a lot in this industry," Eliza continued. "If you want to go far in this modelling world, you must have a strong backer, Linda. That's what is missing in your life, either from your family or friends. With that, they won't be able to touch you."
"I don't have any," Linda sighed. Ezekiel alone was enough to cover her entire family, but she wasn't allowed to use that identity. "I'll work hard on my own."
Once those who crossed her kept ending miserably, others would learn. But what if I fall in love with an ordinary man? The thought crossed her mind.
"Do you believe the scandal?" she asked.
Eliza looked surprised, then smiled. "I've spent many years in this industry," she said calmly. "I've seen real ambition and real seduction." She sighed deeply. "You are a victim, my dear. That's why I said you need a strong backer. But since you say you can do it yourself, I respect your decision." She rose to her feet.
"You are a strong woman, we call it queen," she added. "But know this: no matter how powerful you become, you will still need the help of your king."
Linda blinked. Your king?
She was confused. The woman was trying to tell her she still needed a powerful man in her life. Her mind drifted to Ezekiel. She quickly erased the thought and nodded. "Thank you."
Later that week, assignments were announced. A famous company, GL Sportswear, wanted to buy Keystone's new headset design. All the models were called into their department by the secretary and asked to wear the sportswear with the headset.
"And Linda will be the main face."
Murmurs filled the room. Some were worried about the sales of both companies since Linda's reputation had been completely destroyed. Others were openly jealous, especially Rose and Janet's group, the blonde models.
"I don't know what's happening with our company anymore," Jenet scoffed. "I thought people on the topmost floor were strong tools to make money, not the downfall!"
"GL Sportswear is very famous," Rose added. "Combining it with Keystone's new headset tech is too much for her. If Lena hadn't gone on a business trip with the boss, do you think they'd even notice her?"
"Let's see how she handles herself after offending the GL people."
The rest burst into laughter, nodding their heads. "That will be fun to watch. Don't forget to add fire when the headline comes out."
Linda only lowered her gaze and adjusted her sleeve. To her, nothing could be worse than what her step-sister and biological father had already done to her.
Some hours later.
"Be careful," someone from the GL company said as she handed the dress to Linda.
Linda reached for it carefully. The fabric felt soft and expensive. The moment she lifted it...
RIP!!
The sound stunned everyone in the dressing room. The dress tore at the right shoulder.
"What are you doing?!" the person in charge shouted immediately, her face twisting with anger. She turned to the vice president. "Do you even know what you just handed over?!"
The vice president looked at Linda helplessly. "How did this happen, Linda?"
Megan panicked. "I checked it earlier and it..."
"Checked?" the secretary snapped. "This is GL's fitting! If this reaches the president, do you know what will happen to all of us?!"
Fear spread through the room. No one dared to speak again. Linda stared at the tear coldly. It wasn't a normal tear; the place had been sliced with a razor, clean like paper, the moment the cloth opened. Someone was messing with her.
"I need a tailor kit," she said suddenly.
They stared at her in confusion. "How are you going to fix it instead of destroying it more?"
"Don't give it to her," someone whispered loudly. "She'll ruin it."
"She doesn't even know how serious this is," another mocked. "Didn't I say she'd offend the GL company with her stupidity?" Rose giggled.
Linda ignored them, fully focused on the dress. Madam Eliza walked in and took in the scene without asking a single question.
"Give it to her," she said.
The tailor hesitated, then handed over the kit.
Linda sat down and opened it like someone with years of experience. She carefully adjusted the torn side, cut it cleanly, widened the opening slightly, folded the edges, and sewed it neatly with needle and thread. Then she tore the second shoulder herself and repeated the exact same design.
"Is she crazy…?" someone muttered.
Linda stood up and disappeared into a changing room with the dress. A few minutes later, she walked out wearing the sportswear.
The loud murmuring died immediately.
They stared at her in awe.
Though Linda felt slightly uncomfortable, the sports gown hugged her waist perfectly. The shoulder design she created revealed smooth skin.
She sighed and walked toward the studio gracefully. Some jealous models looked away immediately. Her rare hourglass figure only made them feel smaller.
The sports gown was designed for elite women who preferred gowns over two-piece outfits.
A brand-new headset was handed to her. "How do you want the picture?"
The GL manager finally calmed down, accepting the fact that Linda would have been among the top models if not for the scandal. The shoulder slit was perfect. Even the fashion designers couldn't help but clap.
"Tell us," one asked. "Did you learn this somewhere?"
Linda chuckled and shook her head. "Just an idea," she replied politely before sitting for makeup to cover her faint pimples, almost gone thanks to her skincare.
"We need the vibe of a powerful lady listening to the headphones," the manager said. "The Jimmy Sport Show is coming. Many brands are involved. I want people to choose our brand. All Keystone's new headsets are already booked, this was your president's advice."
Linda nodded, placed the headset around her neck, and stepped onto the set. She already understood what they wanted.
The moment the camera pointed at her, her expression changed. She imagined herself after taking all her revenge and getting back everything she deserved.
"Correct!!!" the manager's voice rang out.
"Damn! She understood the assignment!"
Linda raised a brow as she touched the headphones. The photographer paused for half a second. "…Good," he said. "Do it again."
The other models watched with envy. Her poses were simple, but her aura was elegant, like a tiger pretending to be a cat, lowering its presence just enough to look harmless. No one could copy that.
Megan stood behind the monitors, frowning as she watched Linda. "Something is wrong."