On November 8, 2002, the highly anticipated Victoria's Secret Fashion Show took place at The Armory Show in Manhattan.
This area is one of the most fashionable places in America, comparable to the Champs-Élysées in Paris or Monte Napoleone Street in Milan. It's filled with art, luxury goods, and a rich cultural atmosphere.
Luca, driving a Ferrari with one hand, reached the backstage entrance of the Platform exhibition area in less than four minutes.
**Time remaining: 120 seconds!**
"Stop!"
At the backstage entrance, two bear-like Black security guards stood in his way.
As he was about to enter, one of the guards on the right suddenly moved sideways, blocking the door with his large body. He pointed to the sign at the entrance.
"Staff only!"
Luca cursed under his breath, **"Shit"**, realizing that in his rush, he had left his badge at the hotel.
With a grin, he said, "Hey, good afternoon, gentlemen! I'm Luca, Miss Kate's assistant. You should know me, right?"
The two Black security guards snorted and turned their heads away dramatically, as if to say, *Who cares about a freeloading loser like you?*
**Fuck!**
Only 90 seconds left.
His brow furrowed, and he reached into his pocket, asking coldly, "Are you really not going to let me in?"
"What do you think you're doing?!"
Seeing his movement, the guards became alert. One stepped back, and the other placed a hand on his waist, ready to pull a gun.
"Relax!"
Luca suddenly smiled, pulling two green bills from his pocket. "Gentlemen, I found two hundred dollars in the parking lot. Did you happen to lose this?"
The two guards exchanged glances, grinning as they said, "Heh heh, yes, we did."
"Great! Returned to the rightful owner, everyone's happy!" Luca handed over the money and smoothly made his way into the backstage area.
The backstage was bright and bustling with people.
Holding his hat, Luca quickly found the dressing area.
"Wow~ is this heaven?"
As he pushed open the door, he couldn't help but whistle.
The room, not too small but crowded with people, was filled with dozens of stunning lingerie models, all with perfect figures and faces.
Everywhere he looked, it was a sea of beauty, long legs, and alluring curves. It was like standing on the peak of a mountain with breathtaking views.
Half of the world's most beautiful people were here, and they weren't wearing much. It was a scene more extravagant than King Zhou's infamous debauched feasts.
**Hiss~**
His waist hurt again!
Muttering a quick "Amitabha," Luca shouted, "Excuse me, coming through," and squeezed past model after model.
"Ouch~ Luca, be careful!"
"Sorry, I'll be gentler next time!"
"Oh, Luca, you knocked off my bra!"
"Sorry, not my fault! It's because your chest is too small."
"Damn it, Luca, get away from me!"
"As you wish!"
With a series of quick moves, Luca managed to scare off the beauties and successfully made his way through the crowd.
He searched frantically for Kate, but with so many half-dressed models around, how could he find her in time?
**Damn~ only 30 seconds left.**
"Damn it, Luca, why are you just getting here?"
Suddenly, a middle-aged woman rushed over—it was Kate's agent, Nina Hester.
In a voice only a menopausal woman could have, she shouted, "Luca, you're late! You've ruined Kate's show, and you've destroyed your sister's career. Do you understand that?"
Wiping the spit off his face, Luca asked, "Is Kate on stage already?"
"Kate's in the waiting area. By now, she's probably…"
"So she hasn't gone on yet. There's still time."
Not waiting for Nina to rant further, Luca squeezed through the crowd, quickly heading toward the waiting area.
"Kate, get on stage, no more waiting!"
"Kate, don't worry about the damn hat—you're perfect!"
Just a few steps in, Luca heard people shouting ahead.
In the crowd, several people surrounded a model wearing golden wings, urging her to step onto the stage.
The model stood nearly six feet tall, with long, tawny blonde hair, ivory skin, and endless legs—her most striking feature.
She was Kate Kelly, Luca's sister, a 22-year-old supermodel.
Chanel's current spokesperson.
A signed Victoria's Secret model.
A cover model for magazines like **i-D** and **Vogue**.
One of the top 100 most beautiful faces in the world last year.
Ranked 8th on the list of the world's sexiest women.
"Wow~ what a beautiful sister," Luca thought to himself. Perhaps influenced by his former self, he felt a strange sense of closeness to her the moment he saw Kate.
"KATE!"
He shouted her name.
Kate's eyes lit up, her bright red lips curved slightly, but she quickly added angrily, "Luca, you're late!!"
"Sorry, Kate, but it's not too late, right?"
Through the crowd, Luca tossed the hat toward her.
Everyone looked up at the hat floating in the air.
Swaying gently, the hat floated for two seconds before landing perfectly in Kate's outstretched hand.
"Wow~"
**Clap clap clap~**
The crowd erupted in applause.
"Nice shot!"
Kate puckered her lips, blew a whistle, and, wearing her pink round hat, strode confidently onto the runway.
**Boom~**
The music hit full throttle!
**Doom-tss doom-tss~ Oh yeah!**
On the starry runway, Kate's long legs moved in time with the intense music as she made her way to the front of the stage.
Diamond-studded high heels.
Sexy lingerie.
Subtle, see-through tassels.
Her golden wings flapped with every step, paired with the playful and elegant round hat, creating a sense of graceful sensuality.
"Wow, those long legs are sexy."
"She's got the fiery passion of a Brazilian woman and the elegant sophistication of a British lady. Praise the Creator!"
"I bet she'll be wearing the Fantasy Bra to open the show next year."
The audience's attention was fully on her, not blinking as they watched her every move.
Photographers snapped away, capturing every moment of her time on stage.
CBS's cameras followed her every step.
Her walk was elegant yet bold, with her high-frequency steps being instantly recognizable. On the dazzling runway, she was full of life and energy.
Backstage, Luca watched his sister, Kate, strode across the stage. He couldn't help but feel a little regretful—why did such a beautiful woman have to be his sister?
"Wow~ the Ice Queen smiled!"
At the very front of the runway, as she turned, Kate tipped her hat, and a faint smile appeared on her otherwise cold face, catching the attention of every man in the audience.
"The Ice Queen's smile is gorgeous."
"Leon, Kate smiled at you!"
"Leon, Kate's stunning. I envy you!"
People in the audience couldn't help but look at the man sitting in the center—a suave, 27- or 28-year-old in a silver-gray pinstripe suit, none other than Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio.
Receiving everyone's praise, Leo smiled broadly, a hint of smugness in his expression.
Luca also glanced at DiCaprio and suddenly remembered the content from *"Victoria's Secret Show's Most Notorious Fails: The Worst Outcome for Hat Girl."*
"After the 'Hat Incident' of 2002, Kate Kelly faced public criticism, was soon dropped by Victoria's Secret, and her career hit a major crisis.
But misfortune didn't come alone.
Less than a week later, her boyfriend Leonardo announced their breakup, moving on with Gisele Bündchen, leaving Kate to face both professional and personal heartbreak."
Luca rubbed his temples. *Why did my sister end up with a boyfriend like this?*
Leonardo was infamous for his playboy lifestyle, dating dozens of supermodels over the years—all blonde, leggy beauties—earning him the title of "Supermodel Collector."
Luca didn't want his sister to stay with someone like him.
He stroked his chin, pondering how to get Leo out of the picture early.
**Boom-tss boom-tss~**
Gisele Bündchen took the stage, dressed in a wild, leather lingerie outfit. With the confidence of a queen, she strutted to the front of the runway, throwing a flirtatious glance at Leo.
Luca's eyes lit up. He had an idea.
(End of Chapter)