"If the spring breeze has affection for flowers, could it grant me youth again?" At this moment, Sebastian Vanderbilt, gazing down at the bustling crowd below through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, truly appreciates the charm of this phrase.
Reincarnated for a year, he hasn't done too many critical things. Yet, with his foresight, he has achieved accomplishments that were beyond his wildest dreams before his rebirth. He has even ascended the ranks of the uptown's elite, reaching a position where he can see the top.
As August comes to an end, the scorching summer winds carry a hint of autumn. Standing by the window, feeling the breeze, Sebastian's previously inflated ego over the past few days finally deflates amidst a series of reflections. He is someone with a clear self-awareness, especially after being reborn. He is determined not to follow the old paths of those who lost their way due to arrogance.
Soon, he turns and goes downstairs. The studio is fully operational now, with the photography studio moved downstairs and the original space converted into employee workstations. On the first floor, the newly renovated photography studio is spacious, with added runways and seating areas to showcase the models' finished products.
Sebastian pushes open the door and walks in. Under the soft lighting, Victoria's long hair cascades over her shoulders, black and smooth. She is wearing a new loose black sweatshirt from K&G Studio, which exudes a youthful vibe. The white shirt collar adds a touch of cuteness. Under the loose hem is a light pink school-style short skirt, paired with semi-transparent black knee-high socks, which accentuate her slender, beautiful legs. On her feet are a pair of khaki high heels with pointed toes and stiletto heels, adorned with rivets on the straps and edges.
Under the soft lights, Victoria continuously strikes various poses on the runway. The sound of cameras clicking and flashlights flickering surrounds her. Soon, the shoot is over, and people gradually leave the studio.
Victoria leans against the runway, watching Sebastian approach. A fleeting complex emotion flashes in her beautiful eyes, soon replaced by a cold, exquisite expression. She remains silent.
Sebastian walks over, looking at Victoria's side profile, now made up. He finally understands why she is considered the face of Pretty Generation. If Victoria exudes a youthful charm with light makeup, giving a sense of warmth when she smiles, then with stage makeup, she radiates a cold, exquisite beauty. Her refined eye makeup amplifies her features, turning her cold demeanor into a strikingly aggressive beauty.
Sebastian's mind wanders briefly, admiring her beauty, before he quickly extends his hand and smiles, "The shoot went well. How about we start the conversation with a 'pleased to work with you' gesture?"
Victoria, rubbing her sore ankle, doesn't shake his hand. Instead, she smirks mockingly. "Is this the product you claimed would sweep the States?" She glances at her high heels disdainfully. "Such an ugly design, yet you say it will dominate the market. Your sense of aesthetics seems as flawed as your conscience, Mr. Vanderbilt!" She sneers. "Oh, and the profit share in the contract—is that supposed to be some sort of compensation?" She casts a sidelong glance at Sebastian. "Looking at the product now, it seems almost fraudulent."
Sebastian is slightly surprised. This doesn't seem like something Victoria would normally say. However, his surprise quickly dissipates, and he chuckles. "It's normal for you to find these shoes ugly because they aren't marketed towards women."
"High heels not sold to women? Do you mean you want to teach men to wear them?" Victoria finds this statement laughable, like a clumsy lie to cover up an exposed truth. After the filter through which she viewed Sebastian shattered, everything about him seems disagreeable.
"Not exactly. The main target market is men, so they only need to appeal to men's aesthetics." Sebastian smiles, then looks at Victoria's high heels, recalling something amusing. "Trust me, in the near future, these 'ugly shoes' will be famous worldwide."
"Just these ugly things?" Victoria scoffs. "How many pairs can men buy?"
"The sales of these shoes also determine your income. Don't you want to make money?" Sebastian observes the disdain on Victoria's exquisite face, his smile gradually fading.
"I love making money, very much. But I prefer honest money! These items just don't make sense to me." Victoria says seriously. She realizes her words are harsher than usual, not matching her typically rational self. But every time she sees Sebastian's face, it feels like a fire is burning inside her, impossible to extinguish.
"How about a bet?" Sebastian squints slightly. "I bet these shoes will become a top luxury item within three years."
"Are you sure about it?" Victoria lifts her leg, wiggling the high heel, her expression contemptuous. "Do you want to give me benefits without admitting it?" She quickly adds, "What's the wager?"
"Half of the annual profits of K&G Studio," Sebastian replies.
"Alright, I accept," Victoria agrees readily and heads out.
"What about your stake?" Sebastian is slightly taken aback.
"Whatever you want," Victoria says indifferently. "Because this is impossible."
Feeling her emotions getting the better of her, she wants to leave quickly. Damn. Just a moment ago, she found Sebastian's smile charming, which was unforgivable. So, after throwing down those words, she hurries out.
"Whatever I want, huh?" Sebastian chuckles, his smile a bit odd. Those words are enough to spark the imagination. Perhaps she could be a maid at his house? He briefly imagines the scenario, but quickly dismisses the thought. He doesn't want to lose sleep over it.
After finalizing the procedures, apart from shooting ads in the coming days, all that is left is signing the contract. Sebastian returns to the office to wait for Victoria. He prefers handling things promptly, avoiding unnecessary complications for the sake of his mental health.
As he waits, his phone rings. The caller ID shows a familiar name. Slightly startled, he answers.
"Hey, you pervert, I'm coming back!" an extremely familiar voice comes through the line.