Mid-October.
A fashion venue in New York was bursting at the seams, with camera flashes and shutter sounds flashing non-stop.
Cymbeline, an international bridal brand that stood at the pinnacle of the fashion world, was deeply beloved by young people both domestically and internationally. Today marked Cymbeline's first runway show in the United States, attracting celebrities and notable figures from various circles.
Meanwhile, backstage.
The designer's assistant, Lin, was looking at the model sitting in front of the makeup mirror with an anxious and pleading expression. He cautiously said, "Luna, the wedding dress you're wearing is Ms. Flores' finale piece for today. She's not here right now, and we really don't have the authority to make changes on our own. We're almost out of time, so could you please..."
"So you're suggesting I walk the runway in an ill-fitting wedding dress?" Luna retorted casually, tilting her head.
She continued, pointing at the neckline of the wedding dress: "I'm finding it hard not to question the designer's professionalism."
Faced with Luna's aggressive attitude, Lin became even more hesitant to speak. He had heard that Luna was difficult to please, but he never imagined it would be to this extent.
Everything had been fine until she suddenly claimed the shoulder straps were poorly designed and didn't fit properly after finishing her makeup.
But Luna had serious backing, far beyond what an ordinary assistant could afford to offend. All he could do was try to placate her politely.
Just as the standoff continued, a sudden noise came from the backstage entrance.
Everyone instinctively looked up.
The light at the makeup room entrance was dim, making the woman's rose-pink haute couture suit particularly eye-catching.
The newcomer possessed a tall, well-proportioned figure with skin like fine porcelain. Her facial features were full and smooth, with a pair of exquisite fox-like eyes that tilted slightly upward at the corners, radiating a captivating blend of feminine charm and professional confidence. Even a color as demanding as rose-pink didn't look gaudy on her; instead, she carried it with perfect balance, combining both vibrancy and cool elegance that made her beauty almost intimidating.
Seeing Ava, the assistant felt a wave of relief and hurried over: "Ms. Flores—"
Ava gave a slight nod with a reassuring glance, then walked directly to Luna on her six-centimeter heels.
Their eyes met.
Ava briefly sized up the person in front of her, then slowly raised her gaze to Luna's face with an intriguing expression, as if confirming something: "Luna?"
Her voice carried a casual, languid tone, her demeanor calculated to perfection, not yielding an inch to the notoriously difficult Luna.
The room fell into a collective silence, everyone momentarily speechless.
The onlookers stood in stunned silence, '...'
For a moment, no one knew which of them was more difficult to deal with.
After all, everyone present knew that Ava was Cymbeline's notorious "fashion tyrant."
Three years ago, Ava had graduated from a top French art and design academy and was hired with a high salary by Cymbeline's then-design director, now CEO Mia.
In a mere three years, Ava had risen through the ranks with her unique design style to leap from being an underestimated rookie designer to becoming Cymbeline's star pillar—a testament to her abilities.
Though annoyed, Luna quickly composed herself. She slightly raised her chin in a condescending manner and asked: "Are you the designer of this wedding dress?"
Ava didn't answer, instead curving her lips into a question of her own: "If I heard correctly, Miss Luna was just questioning my professionalism?"
"What? Is that not allowed?" Luna wasn't someone to be trifled with. She immediately replied, "I'm sorry, but this wedding dress doesn't appeal to me. I don't think I have the confidence to showcase it properly on the runway. You should find someone else."
Replacing a model at the last minute was unheard of.
Just when everyone thought a major incident was about to unfold, they heard Ava calmly say: "A model's role on the runway is to showcase the clothing. Not being able to showcase my work is your loss."
Then she instructed: "Lin, notify the other models to come over."
Hearing this, Luna's expression subtly changed. She hadn't expected Ava would dare to replace her on the spot.
Before she could react, Ava continued: "However, all the industry bigwigs are out there today. A last-minute model change would inevitably cause speculation. Keeping the peace benefits both of us, don't you think?"
Luna wasn't stupid. She knew exactly how influential the people in attendance were. Originally, she had just wanted to cause some trouble for Ava to stand up for her friend, but it wasn't worth risking her own career.
Since Ava had used both carrot and stick and made her point so clearly, Luna had no choice but to take the graceful exit offered, forcing out a smile: "You're right, Ms. Flores."
With that, Luna withdrew her gaze and didn't pursue the matter further, leaving the backstage with her assistant to prepare for the show.
Problem solved, everyone else breathed a sigh of relief—
"As expected of the fashion tyrant!"
"It's a shame Ms. Flores is about to leave Cymbeline. I'm really going to miss her."
The assistant gushed: "Ms. Flores, you're amazing! You shut down that Luna so quickly. You have no idea how aggressive she was before you arrived!"
Hearing this, Ava curved her lips into a smile: "Handling someone like her isn't difficult. Give her enough face, lay out the consequences clearly, and she'll naturally take the way out you've offered."
The assistant, a devoted fan of Ava's, couldn't contain her admiration: "Ms. Flores, you're truly incredible!"
"I'm definitely going to miss you when you're gone."
Ava smiled with pressed lips: "Go on now, get back to work. The show is about to end. This is my last show at Cymbeline, so make sure everything wraps up properly."
"Don't worry, Ms. Flores, I'm on it."
Ava nodded, then turned and walked out of the makeup room.
Thirty minutes later, Cymbeline's first bridal show in the US concluded successfully.
After the final showcase ended, Mia once again came backstage trying to persuade Ava to stay. After all, Ava was her most capable lieutenant. Mia's rise to her current position at Cymbeline wouldn't have been possible without Ava's indispensable contributions.
"You're really determined to leave?" Mia said half-jokingly. "I haven't approved your resignation yet, you know. You still have a chance to change your mind."
Ava smiled: "You know me. Once I've made a decision, I rarely change it."
In truth, Ava felt somewhat reluctant to leave. To her, Mia was both mentor and friend—the person who had discovered her talent and her closest friend during these years abroad.
"That's the answer I expected."
Mia smiled with a hint of regret. "Whenever you change your mind and want to come back, just call me. There will always be a place for you in Cymbeline's design department."
"Thank you, Mia."
Just as Ava finished speaking, her phone chimed with a message from her best friend, Amelia.
Seeing this, Mia smiled. "I was planning to introduce you to Mr. Anderson from the BrightCore Inc, but it seems there won't be an opportunity today."
Ava's expression noticeably froze for a moment as she instinctively recalled a name she hadn't thought of in a long time.
After all, Pei was an uncommon surname that immediately brought someone to mind.
But it lasted only a second before Ava quickly regained her composure. Based on what she knew of him, he wouldn't appear at an event like this. The person Mia mentioned probably wasn't him.
Ava smiled regretfully. "If it's meant to be, we'll have a chance to meet. Missing this one opportunity won't matter."
Mia: "Go ahead with your plans then. We'll catch up another time."
Ava nodded. "Sure."
After Mia left, Ava began gathering her things while opening the text message.
Amelia: [Avie, are you done? I'm waiting for you at the entrance]
Ava cast her eyes down to glance at her phone, a smile lighting up her eyes as she pressed the voice message button while picking up her bag and walking out: "Just finished. I'm heading out now."
With that, Ava walked out of the makeup room and headed straight for the main entrance without looking back.
Meanwhile, not far behind her, a man at the center of an admiring crowd instinctively looked up, his gaze landing precisely on her retreating figure.
Noticing his distraction, Mia asked, "Is something wrong, Mr. Anderson?"
The man casually averted his gaze and raised his glass. "Nothing at all."
-
Outside the venue, Ava immediately spotted Amelia's eye-catching pink supercar as soon as she walked through the doors.
The two hadn't seen each other for over a year, and Amelia immediately rushed into Ava's arms.
"The last time we met was early last year. It's been over a year—I've missed you so much, Avie~"
Ava coughed forcefully as Amelia squeezed her tight. She raised her hand to pry her friend off, joking, "I don't think you missed me—I think you're trying to kill me."
Amelia: "How could I ever want that?"
The two continued chatting and laughing as they got into the car.
Amelia fired up the engine. "Have you had lunch yet? Let's go eat something first."
"Forget lunch—I've been busy since six this morning and haven't even had breakfast."
Amelia: "That's terrible! Let's go eat right away. What do you want? My treat."
"Anything works."
After going without food for nearly eight hours, Ava was beyond being picky—she just needed something to fill her stomach.
Amelia: "I know a nice new private kitchen that just opened. Want to try it?"
"Sounds good," Ava nodded.
Amelia held the steering wheel and glanced at Ava in the passenger seat. "So you're back for good this time?"
Ava: "Yes, for good."
Amelia smiled. "What changed your mind? I begged you to come back for the past two years, and you wouldn't. I thought you'd never return!"
At these words, Ava's eyelashes fluttered slightly as her thoughts drifted momentarily before she quickly pulled them back.
She turned her head and smiled. "I'm back to take over Eternity."
Amelia was visibly taken aback.
After hesitating for several seconds, she cautiously asked, "Are you... coming back for Sebastian?"
"It has nothing to do with him."
Ava's tone was light, as if this person held very little weight in her heart.
After a brief pause, she continued: "Eternity is my life's work. I can't just let it go bankrupt."
Ava's greatest dream had always been to own an independent design brand and studio. "Eternity" was the personal design studio she had established during her sophomore year of college. It represented her longing for beautiful love and her original aspiration.
Unfortunately, before the studio could get properly established, her tumultuous relationship with Sebastian had come to an end.
After Ava went abroad, her family had been managing the studio for her. Although the company had successfully gone public three years ago, poor subsequent management had led to serious losses. Now it was on the verge of being acquired.
"So you're coming back purely to take over Eternity?" Amelia didn't quite believe it.
"Not entirely. My dad's old health issues have been flaring up more frequently this year."
She paused, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as she tugged at her lip: "Besides, I can't stay abroad forever just because of some guy."
Amelia was one of the few people who knew about Ava and Sebastian's relationship back then. Though she wasn't clear on the exact reason for their breakup, she knew the incident had deeply affected Ava, and she had always taken Ava's side all these years.
Seeing that Ava clearly didn't want to discuss it further, Amelia didn't press the issue and changed the subject.
After dinner, Amelia suggested: "There's a hot new bar that just opened nearby. How about I call a few people tonight and we'll go welcome you back?"
Ava shook her head: "Not tonight."
"Why not?"
Amelia tilted her head teasingly: "Has the queen of nightlife reformed her ways?"
"Pfft."
Ava rolled her eyes at her, picking up her bag and standing up. As she walked toward the exit, she said: "Tonight I need to go home and be a dutiful daughter."
Just as she finished speaking, Ava received a text from her mother, Penelope, asking her to come home for dinner.
Ava raised an eyebrow, unsurprised, then flashed her phone screen in Amelia's direction: "See? What did I tell you?"
Seeing this, Amelia smiled and shrugged: "Alright then, we'll catch up another time."
-
Meanwhile, Sebastian had just returned to his office after entertaining people from the fashion show when he received a call from his father, Henry Anderson.
Looking at the caller ID, Sebastian's expression showed slight impatience. He initially wanted to decline the call, but at the last moment, as if possessed, he answered it.
"What is it?"
Sebastian's tone was far from pleasant, considering their relationship had deteriorated beyond repair since last year.
Henry Anderson: "Are you free tonight—"
Sebastian instinctively frowned, the words "I'm busy" on the tip of his tongue, when he heard his father continue issuing commands: "Your Uncle Flores's daughter has returned from abroad. Both families are gathering tonight, and you must attend."
The words Sebastian was about to say instantly lodged in his throat.
After two seconds of silence.
The man's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his voice deepening: "Understood."