Chapter 26 Exclusive Release: I'll Give You a World-Renowned Event...
Yuan Ning looked at him quietly; she was a smart girl.
After a brief glance at her, Elias looked away and slowly drove his sports car away from the scene.
Yuan Ning reached out and touched the scarf around her neck. No matter how many times she had touched it, the soft, exquisite touch always made her feel comfortable.
She took a deep breath. How wonderful! She would soon be able to resolve the crisis brought about by Meng Qingyuan. She could go to Paris with Eleanor for the high-end craft show at Christmas. She had already become a research fellow at the Guggenheim Museum, and her career might be about to take a significant leap forward. And tomorrow, Elias's compensation would certainly not disappoint her.
Everything is fine, very fine, Wynne, so you don't need to admit that you took advantage of him, that could push the relationship to an even worse point.
The next morning, there was a knock on the door of Yuanning Apartment, and someone handed her a key: "Ms. Meng, your car has been parked in the parking area downstairs in accordance with the requirements."
The heavy key in her hand, and the prancing horse emblem in the center, left Yuan Ning stunned.
It's a Ferrari.
Wearing a fluffy nightgown, Yuan Ning suppressed her wildly beating heart. Even though she knew that Elias would never disappoint, she still felt an unprecedented mix of trepidation and excitement.
She walked directly to the window and looked down.
"My God..."
The red Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is an Italian rhapsody, limited to 448 units worldwide. Its lines represent the ultimate in romance and sensuality from the Apennine Peninsula.
It has no roof, only a soft roof for emergency use.
It has a famous line: "I give you a world-renowned, Italian-style romantic fantasy. But remember, it's limited and has no roof—you will be watched, envied, and have nowhere to hide."
Among the neatly arranged Japanese cars and understated German cars parked downstairs in her apartment building, her Ferrari stood like a vulture that had strayed into the mortal realm, quietly lying dormant.
It has aggressive, sleek lines, and even when it's still, you can almost hear the engine stirring.
Sunlight shone on its perfect body, and Yuan Ning almost screamed.
She likes it!
Yuan Ning changed her clothes, quickly went downstairs, and walked to her car.
She gained a deeper understanding of the raw, powerful energy hidden beneath the elegant lines. She opened the car door; the interior was upholstered in top-quality black leather, exuding unparalleled luxury.
On the passenger seat, there was a plain black folder, also bearing the Prancing Horse logo.
She opened it, and inside was a vehicle registration document, with her name clearly written as the owner.
In addition, there was a plain black card with only one line of handwritten cursive script on it, the ink penetrating the paper—Elijas's handwriting:
Drive it.
(Drive it.)
There was no signature.
These two words, like a command,
Yuan Ning sat in the driver's seat, and the sound of the engine starting up was like the roar of a beast awakening, causing a small commotion in the relatively quiet community in the early morning.
She felt the subtle vibrations from the steering wheel, looked at the soft scarf around her neck with his surname printed on it, and then looked in the rearview mirror at the red beast burning with flames.
One gently imprisoned her, while the other pushed her into the eye of the storm.
Yuan Ning slowly pressed the accelerator, and the red Ferrari merged into the Manhattan morning traffic, like a moving flame, heading towards Parsons.
During this time, she received a text message from an unknown number on her phone:
[Sister, I've completed the enrollment procedures. Oh, by the way, Dad probably didn't tell you, but I'm studying architecture. He wants me to work for the real estate company back home after graduation. Let's grab some coffee at noon; I made a reservation at Balthazar, I knew you'd go there.]
Yuan Ning glanced at it indifferently, opened the car door, and walked into the campus in her high heels.
She took a deep breath and sneered. This younger sister was no pushover; how much information had been subtly revealed in just one text message?
After all, studying architectural design allows one to return to their own company and help out, while fashion management is, in Meng Qianyue's opinion, utterly useless.
Incidentally, Meng Qingyuan's subtle demonstration showed that she had figured out and entered her usual living space and social circle.
Yuan Ning had no choice but to pretend she hadn't seen the message, toss her phone aside, and focus all her attention on her morning class.
This morning, Professor Miller raised a topic about Casanova, a top-tier leather goods workshop facing aging. The workshop, desperately trying to avoid being acquired by capital, sought Professor Miller's help.
“I need you four to work together to develop a strategy proposal for the digital transformation and rejuvenation of Casanova.”
Yuan Ning's team members were Emily, David, and Sophia.
The group of four agreed to meet at the school library that evening to discuss the proposal.
Casanova is an old Italian leather goods workshop. Perhaps two hundred years ago, it was the choice of the nobility, but in today's rapidly changing world of technology and fashion, its designs have fallen behind the times, and its craftsmanship has been submerged in the flood of aggressively marketed luxury brands under LVMH and Kering.
This extremely challenging topic was exactly what Yuan Ning wanted to do, as she excels at finding that delicate balance between tradition and innovation, craftsmanship and commerce.
At noon, the group of four went to Balthazar restaurant for lunch as usual.
Balthazar, located right next to a top art school, was still bustling with activity, and the luxurious light of crystal chandeliers flowed over the deep red velvet high chairs.
Yuan Ning wore an ostrich fur coat over a silk halter-neck mini dress, still showing off her legs and wearing high heels.
She was undoubtedly extremely fashionable; in such a gathering place for celebrities, there weren't many Eastern girls like her.
But soon, not far away, another Eastern face that was giving her a meaningful look caught her attention.
As Yuan Ning was about to sit down, she placed her Chanel handbag behind her, brushed her skirt with both hands, and sat down. After meeting the other person's gaze, she gently raised her chin, her expression turning serious and not exactly pleasant.
"Sister Yuan Ning."
A gentle, slightly surprised voice rang out. The group turned around and saw an Eastern girl who looked somewhat like Wynne sitting alone at a table.
Emily turned to look at Yuan Ning, crossed her arms, and asked curiously, "Wynne, who is she?"
Yuan Ning straightened up, took a deep breath, raised her head and puffed out her chest, and told the truth: "I don't know her."
It was obvious to anyone with eyes that the two had similar features, but compared to Yuan Ning's almost aggressively beautiful face, the other person's appearance was softer and more rounded, and also more... ordinary.
Meng Qingyuan had already stood up. She was wearing Chanel's signature tweed jacket, clearly not a vintage piece inherited from her mother's wardrobe, but a genuine new seasonal item. She paired it with a skirt also featuring Dior's iconic houndstooth pattern. Around her neck was a Tiffany Keys pendant, and on her wrist was a Cartier Tank Solo watch.
Each item was incredibly valuable, and there was no doubt that she had "I'm rich" written all over her body. It's just a pity that she forgot to also write "I have great taste" on her body.
Overall, it just looks... a little bit off.
"Sister, Dad said that since we two sisters are in New York City together, we should support each other more. Let's have lunch together. As a newcomer, I should treat my senior classmates to lunch."
Amanda's gaze swept back and forth between Yuan Ning and Meng Qingyuan, filled with inquiry and a hint of excitement at watching a good show.
Stella frowned slightly; she didn't like watching this kind of family drama.
Emily made no attempt to hide her curiosity as she examined Meng Qingyuan's expensive outfit.
Yuan Ning maintained her smile and looked directly at the other person, considering whether the other person was really going to take advantage of her or whether the two sisters could coexist peacefully without knowing each other.
Emily walked over with a smile: "Of course, thank you for your kindness."
She affectionately took Yuan Ning's arm, and called Stella and Amanda over as well.
"Don't stand there. Since she's Wynne's sister, we'll be sisters from now on."
After the group sat down again, the waiter came over and ordered their food.
“But why has Wynne never mentioned you?” Emily asked after ordering lime juice with the silver cod.
Meng Qingyuan wore a gentle smile: "Perhaps it's because... my sister and I have some special circumstances." She paused, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Yuan Ning, and seemed somewhat hesitant to speak, "We... don't see each other often."
Stella's brow furrowed even deeper; she disliked this veiled way of speaking.
Emily pressed further, "Special? How is it special?"
Meng Qingyuan picked up her water glass and glanced in Yuan Ning's direction. Yuan Ning looked at her calmly and maintained her smile, her posture elegant and haughty.
"Well..." Meng Qingyuan was waiting for Yuan Ning to beg for forgiveness, but she never did. She put down her water glass and lowered her eyes. "It's not good for my sister, so I'd better not say anything."
After lunch, Yuan Ning was stopped in the teaching building corridor by Meng Qingyuan, who called her in Chinese.
"Sister, I didn't tell you about your background today. Can you take me with you to play later?"
“?” Yuan Ning turned around, looking puzzled. “Don’t call me sister anymore. I’m not your sister.”
“I know my sister is still angry with the family. Mom isn’t that petty. She said that as long as my sister is willing, she will treat all children in the Meng family equally, whether they are illegitimate or legitimate. My sister doesn’t need to feel inferior.”
As she spoke, Meng Qingyuan took out a bank card from her bag. "This is the living expenses your parents saved for you. Your mother specifically told me to give it to you."
In a busy corridor, the younger sister handing her older sister a bank card was enough to spark speculation.
Yuan Ning couldn't understand why Ms. Wang, instead of playing the role of an intolerant first wife, would pretend to be one all the way through, and then pretend to give her some living expenses every month after she had driven her to the bottom.
Does this demonstrate that she not only has the power to take back what she has at any time, but also the freedom to give it away at will?
Or did you think she would choose a life of dependence on others?
Unfortunately, Ms. Wang was only the first wife, not her legal mother in that feudal society, and Yuan Ning could not satisfy her status as a benefactor.
Yuan Ning didn't take the card; she didn't even look at it. Her gaze was fixed on Meng Qingyuan's face, a faint, pitying sneer curving her lips.
“Meng Qingyuan,” she called her full name clearly, her voice not loud, but with a dignified penetrating power, “Listen to me carefully, if your family ever dances in front of me again…”
She leaned forward slightly, closer to Meng Qingyuan, and spoke, word by word, in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"I will make sure you never stay in Parsons, or even in the whole of New York City again!"
“And another thing,” she straightened up, looking down at the other woman, “if you want to play the sisterly role again, you should improve your taste first. I can’t possibly have a sister with such poor taste as you.”
Meng Qingyuan's face turned ashen. Since she came to Parsons, her sister's situation was completely different from what she had imagined. She had never intended to expose her sister's background. In her imagination, her sister should be living in poverty and destitution, longing for her charity.
As long as her older sister is willing to follow her and help her gain a foothold here, she might be able to get along well with her sister and even share some of her living expenses with her.
Yuan Ning turned gracefully and left in her high heels, ignoring everyone's curious gazes.
Holding the rejected bank card, Meng Qingyuan was clearly unwilling to be ignored by an illegitimate child, a girl from a privileged family.
My sister is really something... she won't listen to reason, I wonder who will be the first to give up.
A limited-edition Ferrari sports car appeared on campus, and no one knew whose it was. At the same time, a new Asian socialite appeared on campus.
She was a true socialite. Although she had only just arrived, she planned to host a party on Friday night at her penthouse mansion on Garden Avenue, inviting almost every prominent socialite on campus.
“Wynne, I remember the address of the mansion your sister is hosting a party at… isn’t that yours? Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since you’ve had a party at home. And where’s your BMW?”
"Sorry everyone, I moved address recently. Here's the new address: I'm having a party at my apartment this Friday night. I hope you'll all come."
The showdown between two socialites of similar skin color, who are suspected to be sisters, has officially begun, sparking heated discussions throughout the campus about whose party to attend.
Wynne is a veteran campus queen, and her status is beyond question.
The newcomer, Chloe Meng, established her basic status by flaunting her wealth as soon as she arrived on campus.
Yuan Ning is furious. Although she bought the apartment on Garden Avenue with Meng Qianyue's money, all the decorations and furniture inside are entirely her personal taste!
She strongly condemned Ms. Wang, saying that after taking back her apartment, she should be compensated for the design fees.
Thanks to her impeccable taste, it was undoubtedly a luxury home.
Ms. Wang clearly chose the most offensive approach: instead of selling the apartment, she handed it over to Meng Qingyuan to live in.
On Thursday, Eleanor told Yuan Ning, "Good news! Jasper's negotiations with Van der Berg are complete!"
Yuan Ning, who was researching Casanova in the library, looked up from her book and saw Eleanor's undisguised excitement and gratitude.
“Wynne, we really owe you a lot this time!” Eleanor lowered her voice and affectionately put her arm around her shoulder. “Justin said that Percival Capital’s investment terms are very favorable, and with Mr. Van der Berg’s endorsement, the next round of financing will be much smoother. Justin said he’ll definitely prepare a big gift for you this time!”
Yuan Ning was slightly taken aback; she was quite certain that Elias was angry with her about this.
The success of the negotiations was largely due to Justin's own abilities; Elias would never have chosen to invest simply because of Yuan Ning's relationship with him.
But Eleanor added, "If it weren't for the pizza connection, Mr. Van der Berg would not have agreed to meet with Justin."
Yuan Ning smiled slightly: "Thank you, pizza."
"Thanks, pizza!"
"By the way, what's the story with your sister? Even I, who don't like gossip, have heard about it."
Yuan Ning believed that Eleanor was now an ally of hers, and since the matter would be revealed sooner or later, she relented and said, "Eleanor, it's about this matter that I have to tell you."
Eleanor was so surprised when she heard Yuan Ning's story that she opened her mouth wide: "My God, no wonder you suddenly took on two internships recently."
Yuan Ning shrugged helplessly: "So, are you still my friend now?"
“Of course.” Eleanor said as if she had heard something strange. “Wynne, you underestimate me.”
During the week, Yuan Ning not only attended Moira Young's press conference but also wrote an article on her blog, gaining exactly one thousand followers. She also added the title of "Guggenheim Museum Invited Research Fellow" to her profile. Perhaps these one thousand followers were gained for this reason, but it doesn't matter.
Justin told Eleanor, "There's a Chinese Chamber of Commerce dinner in Manhattan on Sunday. They have a lot of influence in New York City. Justin's tech company received an invitation, and he asked if you wanted to go. You might be able to get a lot of resources from it."
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce has a significant influence anywhere in the world. As a Chinese, Yuan Ning has a Chinese face no matter where she is. Anyone who sees or interacts with her will first categorize her as belonging to that group, which is an identity she cannot avoid.
Despite working in the fashion industry, which seems to have nothing to do with those business tycoons, she still doesn't want to be marginalized by the Chinese community at the top of New York City; being able to integrate would certainly be the best outcome.
“Of course I want to go, Eleanor. Please thank Justin for me.”
Yuan Ning received Elias's weekend schedule.
Saturday's itinerary included lunch with Harvard Business School professors and Federal Reserve officials at a private club, accompanying his father to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's newly opened Renaissance painting exhibition in the afternoon, and a formal dinner at Sutton Place townhouse in the evening.
On Sunday morning, I played tennis with the Austrian Embassy Counselor at Blind Creek Club. In the afternoon, I confirmed the opening strategy for Monday with my assistant team. In the evening, I attended a meeting to discuss family foundation affairs.
With a long itinerary and many things to do, Yuan Ning needed to put a lot of effort into her outfit.
At six o'clock on Friday afternoon, Yuan Ning stood in his dressing room on time, the air filled with the cool lingering scents of cedar, leather, and his usual Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet perfume.
Yuan Ning spent an hour putting together the outfits, then neatly listed the three combinations, along with the corresponding clothing codes and detailed descriptions, in an email to Elias. She added a brief note:
"Given your tight schedule, we have prepared a seamless change plan for you, and all your clothes will be delivered to the designated location in advance. —Wynne."
A few minutes later, Elias's reply arrived, containing only one word:
"Approved."
(approve.)
He hadn't seen her for a week, and Yuan Ning was rushing back to the party she was hosting that evening.
However, just as Yuan Ning was about to leave the dressing room, her gaze was drawn to a detail—a platinum and diamond Maltese cross brooch was pinned to the lapel of the tuxedo dress she had prepared for the previous evening's dinner. This was not an accessory she had chosen.
She immediately checked the dress log and discovered that he had modified her plan.
This is normal, but... she's not happy.
She left the dressing room, gently closing the door behind her. Almost unconsciously, she took out her phone and sent Elias a party invitation via text message.
[Mr. Van der Berg, there's a small party at my apartment tonight at 8 PM on Central Park West [address]. If you finish your evening activities early, you're welcome to join us. —Wynne Meng]
The text message was sent but disappeared without a trace, and I haven't received a reply for a long time.
She drove away in her Ferrari, speeding all the way to her apartment building.
Eleanor truly lived up to her reputation as her best friend; she and Justin fully funded the party for her.
Christmas decorations were set up at the entrance of the apartment building, and there were even two professional security personnel in black suits and wearing headsets standing on both sides.
Upon entering, the air is filled with the scent of a custom fragrance, and Perrier-Jouët champagne and Juliana's Pizza are served.
The apartment was no longer the empty space it had been when she first moved in. Eleanor and Justin had hired the Soho House planning team, and a huge white Ligne Roset Togo sofa set lounged in one corner of the living room, with metallic Prouvé standard chairs scattered around. They used top-of-the-line rented furniture, artwork, and lighting installations to create a temporary "Wynne-style" elegance.
Her photo with Alexander Kiyokawa at the golf club stands quietly in a custom-made frame.
Amanda and Stella arrived, and they breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
Wynne's taste and talent remain unchanged; she is undoubtedly the queen of the campus. Who would go to Chloe's party?
But soon, the girls received a text message from Emily, who was at Chloe's party: "Oh my god! Chloe gave everyone there a full-size bottle of Creed perfume!"
Even the usually composed Amanda gasped: "She really went all out."
Emily seems to be promoting this a lot on social media, and many people want to go and see what's going on.
Yuan Ning was somewhat shocked. Meng Qingyuan was indeed willing to spend money, but she didn't seem to realize that having a large number of people at the party didn't necessarily mean anything.
Even though she won this time, and it seems she is more popular than her sister, Wynne never lives by flattery; she lives by her personal charm.
Seeing this, Eleanor wanted Justin to also invest more money and increase the stake, but Yuan Ning stopped her.
She gently swirled her champagne, leaned against the bar, and sighed softly, "Never mind them, Eleanor. My goal tonight is that. She thinks I'm going to have a showdown with her."
Her gaze flickered slightly towards the direction of the photo she had taken with Qingchuan. Eleanor looked over and then revealed a knowing expression.
Someone at the party saw the photo, secretly took a picture, and posted it on social media.
Whether it's Alexander Kiyokawa or the name Winged Foot Golf Club, it all reflects Wynne's connections and social circle to the greatest extent, far surpassing those little girls who try to win people over by giving perfume.
Yuan Ning did nothing all night, but by the time the party was almost over, she had already aroused a lot of amazement and speculation.
She checked her phone but still hadn't received a reply from Elias. Of course, Elias wouldn't come to her party; her invitation was practically a provocation.
"Wynne, is that Ferrari downstairs yours? My goodness, it's so cool! You truly deserve to be our Queen Wynne."
Elias stood at the apartment door and heard Wynne's haughty reply: "Of course. Darling, I worked very hard to get it. It's mine, and it can only be mine."
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