Chapter 42 Exclusive Release Chapter 42 "Wynne,..."
When the grey-pink roses, which only grow on the Ecuadorian plateau, arrived two hours before the press conference, carrying real frost, Ms. Claire simply nodded slightly to Yuan Ning: "Well done, intern."
"How did you manage to get Esposito to open his expensive logistics channels for you?"
Claire asked curiously.
Yuan Ning looked up and shrugged: "Just a private date, Ms. Claire."
“Very well, the power of pretty girls is always so great,” she said, walking towards the door. Turning back just before leaving, she said, “You remind me of myself thirty years ago. Using everything I could to get everything I wanted, just remember…”
The air froze for three seconds. Claire smiled at her. "Don't let the cost exceed what you can afford. The consequences will be terrible."
"By the way, after the press conference, I'd like to talk to you about your position."
The door closed gently.
Yuan Ning suppressed her excitement and slightly raised the corners of her mouth. As for Claire's warning before that, she didn't take it to heart.
7 PM, No. 31 Kangpeng Street.
This is not an ordinary ready-to-wear fashion show.
This was an art performance that required an invitation and was almost like a private salon. Fewer than three hundred guests were present worldwide.
The air is filled with the scent of camellia, top-quality leather, rare woods, and perfume No. 5.
Yuan Ning received a new dress, a black velvet off-the-shoulder gown from the 1995 Spring/Summer Haute Couture collection, just taken from the Chanel archives.
The minimalist cut is adorned only by a long string of teardrop-shaped diamonds that meander down from the left shoulder and are secured to the fabric with invisible stitches.
Her seat was not next to Eleanor's; instead, Claire rearranged her to sit next to Ms. Du, a female billionaire from the port city.
Ms. Du is around fifty years old, and her well-maintained face has almost no wrinkles.
"Good evening, Ms. Du." Yuan Ning bowed slightly and greeted her in standard Mandarin, with just the right amount of respect.
Ms. Du turned her head, her gaze lingering for a moment on the 1995 off-shoulder velvet dress she was wearing.
"Good evening." Ms. Du's Mandarin was tinged with a Cantonese accent.
“I’m Wynne Meng, and it’s an honor to sit next to you tonight. If you have any questions about the details or stories of the show, I’d be happy to answer them.”
Ms. Du turned her head and focused her attention on the dimming lights of the catwalk.
Yuan Ning understood immediately and said no more. She sat up straight with elegance, her upright back, wrapped in a black velvet dress, resembling a quiet orchid.
The first outfit was created as the performer slowly emerged to the strains of a deep cello.
It was an evening gown constructed from layers of extremely light black georgette, with intricate patterns embroidered on the surface using silk threads of the same color. As she moved, the fabric rippled gently, and the subtle patterns shimmered under the light, like ripples on a deep pool under the moonlight.
Ms. Du did not make a sound, but Yuan Ning caught her fingers, which were resting on her knees, twitch very slightly.
“The fabric for this dress comes from a nearly extinct family workshop in Italy.” Yuan Ning’s voice rang out at just the right moment, loud enough for only the two of them to hear, her tone as plain as stating a fact. “They have preserved 19th-century hand-cranked looms, producing only enough to make three to five haute couture pieces each year. The subtle embroidery on it is inspired by the frescoes on the dome of an ancient church in Venice, and was embroidered by four artisans working in shifts for over four hundred hours. The brand’s haute couture skills are fully reflected in it.”
Ms. Du did not react.
As the second and third sets of clothes came out one after another, Yuan Ning only gave brief introductions to some of them, and only went into detail when she observed that Ms. Du showed clear interest in them.
"This tweed comes from exclusive custom yarns from Lovat Mill, a century-old Scottish workshop, and is blended with a small amount of undyed virgin alpaca wool, which gives it its unique, finely fuzzy sheen."
Yuan Ning added, “The leather inlay is a tribute to the late master Lemarié workshop, who developed a similar technique for Chanel in the 1990s, but this time the leather has been replaced with softer lambskin and vegetable-tanned to match the tweed color.”
“This one is nice,” Ms. Du suddenly said. “Who do you think it would suit?”
It was a long tweed coat embroidered with fine feathers and sequins.
Yuan Ning stared intently at the coat, as if searching for its owner in her mind: "Its silhouette is large, exuding a strong aura, yet the details of feathers and sequins carry a touch of delicate beauty. It's suitable for a lady who is in the center of power but still retains a woman's keenness and romance."
She paused, then added, "Of course, this is on the premise that she has enough height and frame to support the silhouette, and doesn't care that 'feathers' might be misinterpreted as 'weakness'."
"Misunderstanding?" Ms. Du raised an eyebrow.
“In some overly rigid contexts, any soft element can be misinterpreted,” Yuan Ning said frankly. “Therefore, the person who wears it must have absolute confidence, so that everyone who sees her will first realize her strength, and then admire her taste and beauty.”
Ms. Du finally turned her head and looked at Yuan Ning carefully for the first time.
She found it amusing: "It seems you know more than just about fabrics."
In the following time, Ms. Du took out a palm-sized leather notebook and a slender platinum pen from her handbag.
At that moment, Yuan Ning had no idea that after the fashion show ended, Ms. Du would give her an order worth nearly a million US dollars.
Yuan Ning suppressed her joy and maintained a professional demeanor as she spoke: "Ms. Du, I will apply to the brand house to prioritize arranging a workshop appointment for you. These five haute couture pieces will all be presented to you individually during the initial sampling stage. At that time, the head tailor will take detailed body measurements for you and record all your requirements for the silhouette, proportions, and personalized adjustments."
“Okay.” The other party’s tone remained calm. “I require you to accompany me throughout the process. I need someone present who can accurately translate my requirements and fully understand the process.”
“It is my honor, Ms. Du,” Yuan Ning replied calmly.
Next was the VIC dinner, where Yuan Ning once again accompanied her major client throughout.
As a fellow Chinese, she greatly admired Ms. Du's generosity and magnanimity. After downing five glasses of champagne, she couldn't help but ask:
"Ms. Du, please forgive my bluntness... As a practitioner who is still learning, I have great admiration for you. How did you become such a powerful woman? I mean... how did you build your own capital empire?"
Despite becoming a partner in the Casanova project, Yuan Ning still felt like she was making little progress.
What does she need to do to truly gain a voice?
Ms. Du stopped and turned around again.
The curve of her red lips was beautiful yet cold. She moved closer to Yuan Ning and spoke slowly and deliberately, each word clear and distinct:
“Baby,” the term of address seemed particularly meaningful at this moment. “After you’ve been married five times and divorced five times, you’ll find that you’ll either be completely drained of everything, or you’ll become incredibly wealthy.”
Ms. Du nodded her head. "If you're not smart enough, never get involved in marriage. But if you're smart enough, marriage is your capital tool, the fastest way to accumulate wealth and rise in social class."
*
When Yuan Ning came out of the banquet, the night rain in Paris had just stopped.
She had just seen Ms. Du's car off, a thin cashmere shawl wrapped around her shoulders, and the chill outside her evening gown made her shiver slightly.
Although his face showed a hint of fatigue, the light in his eyes still shone brightly with the success of his career.
Prince Esposito leaned against a low-key dark gray sports car, dressed in a well-made casual outfit with the collar casually open.
He saw Yuan Ning, walked over, and very naturally took the evening handbag from her hand.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. I hope my help has enabled you to take a significant step forward tonight."
His arm was slightly bent, an invitation, as if they had spent many such nights together.
Yuan Ning was indeed relaxed, and gently placed her hand on his. She smiled wearily and said, "You really helped me a lot. I've booked a restaurant, it's on me tonight."
Federico glanced at her and said, "It's not my style to let a lady pay the bill. Do you want me to be laughed at by those old gentlemen?"
His words successfully amused Yuan Ning, who buried her head and chuckled softly, as if nestled in the prince's arms, her shoulders trembling slightly.
The laughter wasn't loud, but it was like a string of tiny bells, echoing in the damp Parisian air.
She finally let go of all her tension, her porcelain-white cheeks flushed slightly with a smile, and the shrewd and capable "Wynne Meng" mask quietly slipped off, revealing the lively appearance of a twenty-year-old girl underneath, with a touch of coquettishness.
Federico looked down at her, then turned his head slightly, his gaze passing over her to Elias van der Berg, who was standing on the other side of the hotel porch.
He had obviously been there for some time.
Yuan Ning noticed Federic's silence and then looked up in the direction he was looking.
She was somewhat surprised. Although the initial plan was for Elias to accompany her on a private plane to Paris, since she had already gone ahead, there was no need for Elias to make this extra trip. She thought he would return directly to New York after the Christmas holidays.
Yuan Ning didn't know how to react, but she seemed... a little guilty.
Elias walked toward her, she coughed lightly, and her hand slid off Federico's arm.
“Mr. Van der Berg, this is a pleasant surprise. The charm of the Parisian night is indeed irresistible, even attracting a busy man like you,” Federico broke the silence first.
Yuan Ning took a deep breath of the crisp, damp air of a Parisian winter night, trying to calm her feverish mind.
"Elijas, I didn't know you would come."
That's what she said to him.
The implication is that she had a pre-arranged itinerary in Paris and did not expect his appearance and disturbance.
“Wynne and I are having a little celebration tonight for her huge success today,” Federico said with a smile, looking at Elias with a provocative gaze.
Elias ignored the prince's provocation. His entire attention seemed to be focused solely on Yuan Ning.
"Is that so?" he said, not in a question, but as a statement.
“Wynne, what is our relationship?” He needed an answer.
Elias looked down at her, his eyes not empty.
In his view, his arrival here was a matter of course to fulfill his responsibility, the responsibility of accompanying.
It just seems that the other party doesn't need it.
Federico raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms, and leaned against the car, clearly looking like he was about to watch a good show.
Yuan Ning felt a chill run down her spine; Elias's gaze was too focused, too heavy.
That's not what she wanted to endure.
This further fueled her reluctance.
Her eyes began to dart away.
“Elijas, you are my employer.”
Elias's eyes turned icy, and Yuan Ning felt as if she had been pierced by an ice pick, pinned to the spot.
"Furthermore, we are also partners, very good partners."
She looked up, trying to meet his gaze, and gave him a sweet smile.
Unfortunately, all she received in response was a near-dead silence and coldness.
It was a chilling feeling that even anger seemed superfluous.
He looked at her as if seeing her clearly for the first time.
"Partners".
He nodded, the movement extremely slight, yet carrying a ceremonial solemnity.
Then, he slowly and heavily took a step back.
His gaze lingered on her face for a final moment. That gaze was no longer heavy, no longer focused, but had transformed into a distant scrutiny.
Yuan Ning felt as if something had suddenly been pulled away from her heart, and she felt a strange stinging pain, but she didn't show it.
He was like a museum scholar examining a once-cherished artifact that had suddenly been identified as a fake.
Disappointed? Perhaps. But more than that, it's a cold, detached feeling based on a flawed judgment.
He didn't glance at Federico again, as if the man leaning against the car with a playful smile, along with the entire Parisian night, had nothing to do with him anymore.
He turned around deftly, and simply took a step in the opposite direction from where he came, crushing all the "taken-for-granted" notions onto the cold, wet ground behind him.
Yuan Ning breathed a sigh of relief, reached out and braced herself against Federico's car door, opened her mouth but couldn't make a sound, her throat felt like it was blocked by an invisible sourness.
An hour earlier, she received a text message from Linus: "Elijas has taken the family heirloom wedding ring from your mother. If you're not ready, Wynne, be careful. Don't wait until he's on his knees before you refuse. That would be cruel."
Federico dropped his mocking expression, looked in the direction where Elias had disappeared into the night, then looked at Yuan Ning, whose face had suddenly turned pale, and asked in a complicated tone, "Are you alright, Wynne?"
A night breeze swept by, carrying a damp feeling. Yuan Ning shivered and instinctively wrapped her shawl tighter around herself.
It was the one Elias gave her in Switzerland.
The feel of top-grade cashmere remains unparalleled, conforming to the skin without providing any warmth.
It faithfully retains the shape of the giver's palm and the taste of their choice, but it has taken away that crucial, living warmth.
Is this the warmth bestowed by a true gentleman? Yuan Ning was fortunate enough to experience it.
When he is willing to give, the warmth is so comprehensive, certain, and substantial that it not only dispels the cold but also creates an illusion of being completely sheltered, of having one's value recognized by the highest principles, and of feeling supreme happiness.
It detaches itself so thoroughly, so elegantly, without leaving any room for doubt, that even the solace of "having once possessed" seems pale and laughable, because that warm essence never belonged to you; it was merely a conditional, revocable gift.
"It's alright, Federico, life goes on. Let's go eat. How about pizza? I know a mushroom pizza place in Paris that's really delicious."
The prince was very easygoing and would eat anything.
"certainly."
Elias got into the back seat of the black Bentley that was waiting by the roadside.
"To Le Bourget Airport." His voice was calm and even, revealing nothing unusual.
"Yes, boss."
The carriage was deathly silent. Elias leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. The fleeting, glittering light and shadow outside the window flickered on his cold, hard profile, yet failed to leave any mark on that sculpted face.
Only he knew that somewhere in his chest, a hollow, weightless, dull pain was spreading.
But he wouldn't allow himself to stay in that feeling.
Richard had already arrived and was waiting for them as they boarded the private plane bound for New York.
“Boss,” Richard stood up, “the schedule you requested has been rescheduled. Tomorrow morning’s breakfast meeting with JPMorgan Chase has been moved to 7:30 a.m. New York time. You will have about five hours to rest after returning to your apartment.”
“Hmm.” Elias took off his coat and handed it to the flight attendant. He sat down in his usual seat, took the itinerary from Richard, and quickly scanned the dense list of itinerary changes.
"Have the short-selling reports from last week in the Asia-Pacific region been analyzed?"
“A preliminary report has been sent to your encrypted email address. The risk control department has highlighted several leverage points that you should pay close attention to,” Richard replied.
"Get the report out; I need to see it now," he ordered.
"yes."
The plane began to taxi on the runway, accelerate, lift off, and plunge into the clouds.
For the remainder of the flight, Elias was completely absorbed in his work. It was as if everything that happened during the layover in Paris was merely an error that had been accidentally added to his itinerary and then quickly deleted.
Everything is getting back on track.
The gears of Percival Capital will continue to mesh and turn at maximum efficiency, and the lives of the Van der Berg heirs will still be filled with rigorous schedules and ancient rituals.
The plane pierced the night sky, heading steadily towards New York, towards the world of order under his absolute control.
The following morning at 10:00 AM, at the Ritz Paris, in the private meeting area of the rooftop executive lounge.
Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, gilding the Seine and the rows of rooftops with a pale gold hue.
Yuan Ning and Ms. Claire sat facing each other at a small round table by the window, each with a cup of black coffee and several documents in front of them.
Yuan Ning wore a sharp ivory-white Albert Fairti pantsuit today, with clean lines.
There was no trace of last night on her face, only a calm and collected sharpness that had been tempered over time.
She had just politely declined the dessert plate offered by the waiter, her attention completely focused on the negotiations at hand.
Ms. Claire was still dressed in a classic Chanel tweed outfit.
She pushed over a beautifully printed job description and preliminary salary proposal.
"The annual salary, bonus structure, and benefits, including an apartment allowance in Paris and global travel standards, are all listed. For a recent graduate, this is undoubtedly a top-tier starting point, and at Parsons, you are the first."
Yuan Ning sat in a Louis XVI-style velvet armchair. In front of her was an exquisite folder with the Chanel double C logo printed on the cover.
"Assistant Director of Global VIC Relations and Special Projects. You will be among the top 1% of your peers in this industry. More importantly, you will have access to Brandhouse's most core global client network and its most confidential project planning. These are all things I can offer you."
Undoubtedly, receiving such a prestigious offer three months before graduation was incredibly satisfying and irresistible for Yuan Ning.
“Ms. Claire, thank you very much for your recognition. However, I have some personal requests that I hope you can help me make.
Yuan Ning mentioned the independent operation of her personal brand "Wynne's Window" and her aspirations regarding career advancement opportunities.
Claire stated that the brand would not interfere in her personal affairs after she joined the company.
“The terms can be detailed,” Claire finally decided, reverting to her businesslike tone. “The Legal Department will draft a formal offer that includes these key points. You can officially start work on your first Monday after graduation. I hope you can adapt quickly and prove that every bit of power and future you’re asking for today is worthwhile.”
“I won’t let you down.” Yuan Ning stood up and extended her right hand.
Yuan Ning walked out of the Ritz Hotel, the lazy sunlight slanting down. She had arranged to go shopping on Rue Saint-Honoré with Eleanor that afternoon.
Holding the folder containing preliminary job offers in her hand, the sense of satisfaction in her chest was completely genuine.
She got what was almost a dream start.
For a moment, she was even grateful for the setback she had experienced three months earlier.
It was that sudden change that shattered the glass dome that enveloped her, forcing her to reveal her true, perhaps even unknown, core self.
Before that, she was just an ordinary college student, like Emily and others, who might have been smug about getting a small Givenchy store offer and imagined her life's limit as "marrying a nouveau riche" or "owning a closet full of Birkin bags".
Now, through her all-or-nothing efforts, the gambler has staked everything in a desperate battle, and the adventurer has finally won.
An unexpected victory.
The moment Eleanor saw her, she strode over in her ten-centimeter heels, reached out and hugged her tightly. The rich scent of her rose perfume instantly enveloped Yuan Ning. She hugged her and said, "Baby! Congratulations on your great victory! You know what? You're practically glowing standing here!"
Eleanor's excitement was pure and intense; she had a keen sense for success and fame.
"Thank you, Eleanor. I wouldn't even have a ticket to this event without your help."
Eleanor took her arm, eager to go shopping.
"Tell me quickly, what position did Claire give you? And what's your annual salary?"
The two entered the boutique, where the familiar white oak floors, understated lighting, and the faint scent of cedar in the air created an atmosphere that made one want to keep swiping their credit card.
“Global VIC Relations and Special Projects Assistant,” Yuan Ning stated succinctly, omitting specific terms from the negotiations and her own demands. She needed to remain cautious until the final offer was made. “The apartment and benefits are very generous.”
"Wow!" Eleanor picked up a silk blouse and held it up in front of the mirror, chattering away. "I heard His Highness the Prince helped you a lot this time. So, when are you planning to accept his advances?"
Yuan Ning was browsing a row of cashmere sweaters, her fingertips tracing the soft fabric, when she heard this and paused for a moment.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Eleanor leaned closer to her and asked in a low voice, "Or are you hesitating about him and Mr. van der Berg..."
“Eleanor…” Yuan Ning interrupted her, giving her a pleading look, and simply changed the subject, “How have you been lately? You’re graduating soon, what are your thoughts on job hunting?”
Eleanor shook her head gently, smiling as she held up her left hand to show her: "I forgot to tell you, Justin proposed to me last night, right under the Eiffel Tower. I'm not you, Wynne. What he can give me, I can never get on my own. Marriage is the best path for me."
Eleanor's eyes were bright; clearly, she knew exactly what she wanted.
Yuan Ning blinked at the enormous diamond ring, stopping the drool from spilling out, and exclaimed sincerely, "Congratulations, Eleanor. It seems we've both achieved great success on our own paths."
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Author's Note: Elias: Family, how can I get my virginity back?
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