Everyone was discussing Miss Amanda Jenkins of the Jenkins Family.
In the past, no one knew what she looked like, only hearing that the Jenkins Family's young miss was plain in appearance, both stupid and dull. Although she attended a national-level noble university in Brocade City, her academic performance was extremely poor, essentially a waste with no merit.
But tonight, she had astonished everyone, proving the rumors utterly contrary.
Thanks to Mister Casey's words, the guests were full of nothing but praise for Amanda's designs, yet at this moment, there came a voice soaked in disdain and sarcasm.
"It seems Mister Casey's taste isn't all that after all," a girl in a black evening gown arrogantly strode onto the T-stage.
"Emma Bollock!" someone whispered in shock.
Emma Bollock, a rising star in the entertainment circle.
Normally, no artist in the entertainment industry would dare to speak of Mister Casey in such a manner, let alone a newcomer.
But Emma Bollock was different.
The Bollock Family was a military noble family, and Emma was their youngest daughter; her father and brother were influential figures in Country Z.
In Brocade City, who didn't know of Emma's arrogance and tyranny? She was not someone you'd want to provoke.
Emma walked directly up to Anastasia Jenkins, gently patting her shoulder as if to comfort her.
As Bobby's best friend, she had planned to buy Anastasia's design at a high price tonight, but before she could place a bid, an incident occurred.
Mister Casey ignored Emma's mockery as if he hadn't heard it.
At this moment, he was only interested in Amanda's designs, excitedly asking her, "How did you do it? Such brilliance from a burst of inspiration in such a short time, if you were given time to properly design a style, wouldn't you astound everyone!"
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Emma fumed, her brows knitting together. Who dared to ignore her like this usually!
"Miss Bollock, are you speaking to me?" Mister Casey finally turned to Emma, "Sorry, I didn't hear you just now."
"You!" Emma was infuriated, but then she forced a smile, "I almost forgot, Mister Casey was born in the countryside, wasn't he? No wonder you have such a level of appreciation."
Her words hit a sore spot for Mister Casey, whose expression darkened, and he bit back unapologetically, "No wonder you fail to appreciate good work, someone like you who relies on background and looks to get by in the entertainment industry, that's all the caliber you have."
"Casey! Do you know who you're talking to!" Emma placed a hand on her hip and pointed fiercely at Mister Casey.
"In my eyes, you're just an actor with no real talent, reliant on your looks and background." Mister Casey haughtily glanced over at Emma, "If I recall correctly, your first movie of the year was a box office disaster, wasn't it? So, I'm just stating a fact."
Mister Casey was notorious for his poisonous tongue because he feared no one in his everyday life.
"How dare you call me a vase!"
Mister Casey spread his hands, "I didn't say that, you said it yourself."
"You! You…" Emma was so angry her face turned red, and she wished she could call someone to drag Casey out and give him a sound beating right there and then.
But today was Mr. Griffin's birthday banquet after all, and she was representing the Bollock Family; she couldn't go too far.
"In the entire entertainment and fashion industry, anything I, Mister Casey, deem as good is good!" Mister Casey strongly supported Amanda's work, elegantly raising a finger, "Ten million, I'll take this design for ten million!"
All the Jenkins Family's designs before started the auction at five hundred thousand, but Mister Casey's first bid was ten million, enough to show just how much he favored Amanda's design.
Emma clenched her teeth and moved in front of Mister Casey, "Twenty million!"
The crowd gasped at the price below, the highest bid of the night! Truly worthy of a wealthy young lady from a military noble family, such a generous move indeed!
Mister Casey was taken aback for a moment, "Miss Bollock, what is this? I thought you looked down on this design?"
Emma chuckled coldly, "Don't get me wrong, my twenty million isn't for Amanda Jenkins' design, I want Anastasia Jenkins' design!"
She lifted the corner of her lips and leaned towards Mister Casey's ear, whispering, "You like it, and that's precisely why I won't let you have it. Whatever Emma Bollock wants, no one can take away from me!"
Mister Casey stomped his foot in anger, truly liking Amanda's design, but ten million was already all he could afford; he couldn't handle a higher price.
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He was known for spending money like water, and although he had a renowned presence in the entertainment and fashion industries, he lacked the backing of a substantial family fortune.
"Twenty million for the first time," the auctioneer began to call out.
Emma Bollock, determined to win, smugly crossed her arms and looked at Amanda Jenkins with disdain, "You ruined Anastasia's design, so once the auction's over, you must restore it to its original form! Otherwise, you owe me twenty million!"
The auctioneer called again, "Twenty million for the second time."
"Amanda, what do we do?" Jesslyn Derei tugged at Amanda Jenkins's sleeve, clearly distressed and at a loss for what to do.
Amanda Jenkins appeared unaffected, as if the matter did not concern her.
Returning the design to its original state was not difficult for her.
Over the years, she had grown accustomed to dealing with difficulties and humiliations, learning how to remain undisturbed by them.
"Twenty million for the thir—"
"Fifty million."
An elegant and composed male voice sounded.
The voice was very low, yet it was enough to stir up a thousand ripples.
The scene was abuzz, and everyone on the runway, including Amanda Jenkins, was shocked.
Under the astonished gaze of the audience, Lucas Griffin's long legs gracefully stepped onto the runway.
He was dressed in a white shirt paired with a dark navy vest, a black bowtie accentuating his long neck, and a black suit jacket draped over his shoulders. Standing at one meter eighty-eight on the runway, his innate elegance and noble demeanor commanded the attention of everyone.
For a moment, all the spotlight seemed dim in comparison to his arrival.
Lucas Griffin was usually a very low-key person, but tonight, he made a high-profile appearance, prompting shrill screams from the gathered wealthy young ladies.
Emma Bollock opened her mouth, but it took her a moment to react, "Kir... Brother Kirin!"
She hurriedly approached Lucas Griffin, but he ignored her as if she were invisible, walking straight past Emma Bollock towards Amanda Jenkins.
Amanda Jenkins stood dumbfounded, watching this god-like man approach her step by step.
The night's lamps outlined his stunning profile.
Amanda Jenkins couldn't clearly make out his features—it was either because the night's lamps were too beautiful or his aura too overpowering—making her breathe cautiously, just foolishly staring at him.
It was not until he approached and stood in front of her...
That she finally saw his face clearly.
Their eyes met, and Amanda Jenkins's black pupils gradually dilated, her breath seemingly stolen away at that instant by the brilliance in his eyes.
The memories she had buried deep in her heart began to stir as if they were about to tear through her chest, surging out.
"I hope you've been well," he said with the corners of his lips slightly upturned.
This trace of a smile was blinding.
Amanda Jenkins could barely keep her eyes open, feeling them painfully dry while her heart convulsed violently.
If the recurring dream she had over the years was just a nightmare, unrelated to reality,
then now, she was truly plummeting into the abyss of a nightmare.
She tried with all her might to forget, but it turns out...
It was you all along, Lucas Griffin.
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