"Sigh~"
In Brooklyn, at the high-rise apartments on Atlantic Avenue, Ed sat at the dining table, reading the newspaper with a deep frown.
"What's wrong?"
Mrs. Nina walked out holding a plate of fruit pudding. She swatted away a small, dirty hand trying to sneak a taste, and pointed to the bathroom with her chin. Little Eve, pouting with a look of grievance, climbed down from the table.
Ed put down the newspaper, sighed, and said, "It's only been a day, and even a major paper like the *New York Post* is covering this now."
"What are they saying?"
"What else can they say? They think this incident is the biggest scandal to hit Fashion Week in recent years. They're criticizing Luca, calling him unprofessional, inexperienced, and unworthy of the title of a supermodel."
Ed shook his head. In the past, there had been instances where models had physiological issues during smaller shows, but those were minor venues with little impact. This time it happened at the CK show during Fashion Week, which was a big deal. This incident might become a "classic case" in model training classes in the future.
Nina frowned. "Luca will have to quit the modeling world now."
"Pretty much!" Ed picked up two slices of white bread and, while dipping them in ketchup, said, "Luca's reputation is ruined. No brand will want him on their runway anymore. What else can he do but quit?"
"Isn't that a good thing? Luca can focus on being an actor now," Nina said with a soft smile.
"It's not the same. We had thought about him leaving the fashion world, but now he's being kicked out. That's different."
Ed, munching on his bread, said helplessly.
"Same thing."
Nina scoffed. "You guys kept saying you'd leave the fashion circle, yet two months later, you're still in it. Now he's being kicked out—it's even better. At least this way, Luca won't have any more incidents that might affect Kate's career."
Ed chuckled softly.
Luca fainted the first time he stepped onto the runway. This time, he just wanted to make some extra cash, but another accident happened. Maybe Luca was just destined to clash with the fashion world.
"Mom, I'm done!"
Little Eve came out of the bathroom, holding up her hands for her mom to inspect.
Nina took her tiny white hands and looked them over.
"Alright, let's start eating!"
"Wow~, finally! I'm starving."
Eve clutched her little tummy and slumped onto the table.
"Eve, you just ate an apple. How could you be starving?"
Mrs. Nina divided the pudding and eggs as she spoke.
Eve touched her lips and said, "An apple is nothing! Luca said I'm at the age where I'm growing, so I need to eat more."
"Really? Luca said that?" Nina asked skeptically.
"Yep!" Eve took a small bite of egg and continued, "Luca said I should eat lots of chocolate, ice cream, chicken nuggets, waffles, chips, and hamburgers while I'm growing."
As she listed the foods, Eve counted them on her tiny fingers, wiping her mouth as she spoke.
Nina and Ed exchanged glances and chuckled softly.
"And if possible," Eve wiped her mouth, "Luca said I could drink a glass of red wine every day. It's good for my skin."
Ed covered his face, laughing silently.
Nina's face darkened. She sternly asked, "Did Luca really say all this?"
"Emmm~, yes! Luca said it. He said that if I eat well, I'll grow tall and beautiful."
Eve frowned, her tiny brows scrunched together as she spoke earnestly.
"Drinking a glass of red wine every day for beauty—did Luca say that too?" Nina asked, holding back her anger.
"Yes!"
Eve nodded so hard her chin nearly hit the table.
"Ed, call Luca and ask what exactly he's been telling her."
Nina said coldly.
"Mom, Luca is very busy with school, studying, and writing scripts. He's really tired. You shouldn't bother him," Eve rushed to Ed's side, hugging his arm to stop him from making the call.
"Hmph!"
Nina glared at the little girl. "Eve, children who lie aren't good kids."
Eve tilted her head and thought for a moment. "Luca said kind lies aren't really lies."
Nina held her head, swaying slightly, and then glared at Ed. "Take Luca to Hollywood as soon as possible. Don't let him stay here and corrupt Eve."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Ed nodded repeatedly, not daring to say a word.
After breakfast, Nina took Eve to school while Ed drove straight to work.
As soon as he entered the building, he spotted that annoying guy, Andrew Fagan. He was leaning over the reception desk, harassing the new phone operator.
Ed tried to slip past quietly, but Andrew seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He turned around suddenly.
"Ha! Ed, I've been waiting for you!"
Andrew laughed loudly, his belly shaking.
Ed scowled. "Why are you waiting for me?"
"Heh heh, Minnie, tell Ed about the calls you received."
Andrew winked at the receptionist.
Minnie, the receptionist, looked at a notepad and said, "Mr. Ed, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Kenneth Cole, and several other brands called earlier to terminate their contracts with Luca Kelly."
"Ha ha ha~! Ed, aren't you thrilled to hear this?" Andrew laughed so hard his back teeth showed, his eyes squinting.
Ed signed the document and sneered, "Of course I'm happy. This incident has made Luca even more famous. His name is bigger than Noah Mills' in the industry now. You know as well as I do that fame in fashion is money. Surely you understand that?"
"But his fame is bad fame," Andrew shot back coldly.
"So what? Some designers like using bad-boy models. Think Alexander McQueen, Mia Dodds, Yohji Yamamoto, and others. Do you need more examples?"
Ed stared him down.
Andrew's face shifted. He knew Ed was right—some designers favored notorious models for their rebellious image, which conveyed an anti-mainstream spirit.
"Ed, don't kid yourself. Luca's done for this time. There's no comeback."
"And what does that have to do with you?"
Ed pushed past Andrew and walked into his office.
Sigh~
Even though he had out-argued Andrew, Ed couldn't feel happy. He understood the gravity of the situation but hadn't expected the brands to start pulling out just a day later.
What he was most worried about now was Armani.
Luca had a two-year endorsement deal with Armani, and last week they finished shooting the ad campaigns. If Armani terminated the contract early, both he and Luca would face significant financial losses.
Ring ring~
Suddenly, the phone on his desk rang. Ed frowned slightly. Could this be Armani calling?
"Hello, this is Ed Dominic."
"Ed, come to my office."
"Alright, Katie!"
Ed breathed a small sigh of relief, adjusted his suit, and knocked on Katie Ford's office door.
Moments later, he stepped out with a strange expression on his face.
"Ed, did you get a scolding from the boss?" Andrew teased.
Ed glanced at him, handed him a file, and said, "Take a look."
Andrew opened the folder, his face turning pale. "No way. This can't be!"
"Sigh~" Ed shook his head. "Luca and I were planning to leave the industry, but it seems the fashion world just can't let us go. Honestly, it's a bit frustrating."
"You!!"
Andrew roared in frustration, nearly collapsing.
Ed's expression changed as he rushed to support him. "Andrew, are you alright? I was just kidding. Don't take it so hard."
"Hmph! Don't get too cocky, Ed. I don't believe you'll stay lucky forever."
Andrew pushed Ed's hand away, huffing as he stomped off.
"Friends, huh? Why the drama?" Ed muttered, shaking his head. He pulled out his phone to call Luca.
"Luca, what are you doing? Practicing acting in class? Don't stress about that too much. The fashion world might still need you, so maybe work on your runway walk instead."