Cole noticed sothing was amiss in the room and opened the door without a knock.
Inside, Skylar Aldrin and Gwen Yates were both seated at the edge of the bed.
As soon as they heard the door open, they gasped and looked toward the entrance, only to see Cole’s expressionless face, and their heated emotions instantly froze.
Gwen quickly pushed Skylar away and sat up.
Skylar was taken aback for a few seconds, then his eyebrows twisted in anger, and he shouted, "What are you doing?"
Even though Cole’s action of breaking in was quite resolute, he hadn’t thought of how to ease the awkwardness. Skylar’s shout happened to give him a way out, "Do you want so water?"
"No!" Skylar’s lips trembled with anger.
Upon hearing this, Cole closed the door again without saying another word. This ti, he gained experience, planning to find an excuse to open doors in the future and maintain decorum.
The fact that a female classmate ca to see Skylar Aldrin was a big or small matter, and since this Young Master Aldrin was notorious for not having his act together, it didn’t take long for Cole, with a slight hesitation, to dial Elder Aldrin’s number. His sudden intrusion was, in fact, directed by Elder Aldrin.
However, it didn’t trouble Cole too much. Not long after, Gwen knocked on the door, asking him to open it as she was leaving.
Skylar stood at the doorway, watching Gwen disappear from his view before closing the door.
He gave Cole a sideways glance, seeing that his expression remained unchanged, and fiercely glared at him before returning to the room, slamming the door shut.
He didn’t dare run.
Because he couldn’t beat Cole.
Although Cole looked small and skinny, and was much shorter than Skylar, he was the epito of not judging soone by appearances.
Skylar lay on the bed face up, uneasily rubbing his hands.
Despite firmly believing that the rumors about Gwen cozying up to him were all fabricated by Ruby Sullivan, he couldn’t deny that a man like Ethan Sterling was indeed charming.
He was set to graduate from university next year, so it was ti he thought about his future. Otherwise, why would he deserve soone as good as Gwen as his wife?
*
In a famous upscale restaurant in Ariston City, the table was adorned with dishes that Sasha Shaw loved, such as the creamy mushroom soup, baked lobster with tomato, and black truffle sauce steak. They were basically the signature dishes of the restaurant.
Sasha looked at Ruby Sullivan’s extravagant display and exclaid, "Isn’t your studio not yet open? Did you win the lottery?"
Ruby Sullivan’s face flushed with warmth, thinking about the favor she was about to ask, and said, "It’s about to open."
Sasha squinted, "Is there sothing fishy?"
Ruby bit her lower lip and blinked, unable to contain herself, "I want you to design the bottle and packaging for my first perfu and put your na on it, to ride on your popularity a bit."
Though Sasha had never agreed to create her own brand, she was a renowned designer in the industry. Many big nas have worn clothes designed by Sasha at significant events.
She had agreed long ago to design the bottle for Ruby’s first perfu, but leveraging her popularity was another matter; it ant putting Sasha in the spotlight during promotions, allowing people to exploit her fa.
If it weren’t absolutely necessary, Ruby wouldn’t dare utter such shaless words.
Seeing Ruby’s embarrassed expression, Sasha chuckled, raised an eyebrow, and said while cutting her steak, "Stop looking so downcast, it’s not such a big deal."
"Hehe." Ruby reluctantly smiled, her heart still uneasy, "The main thing is, I can’t afford to pay you the equivalent rate." If she could offer a price worthy of Sasha’s fa, of course, it wouldn’t be an issue. But even the Nirvana logo was designed for free by Sasha; friends don’t do things like this.
All precious friendships are built on relatively equal contributions; taking advantage can consu the goodwill accumulated over the years. Ruby knew Sasha didn’t see it as a big deal, and if she were Sasha, she wouldn’t either. It’s precisely because they each give without considering costs that their bond has lasted many years.
"When is your perfu launching?"
"Around Christmas, if all goes well, but I need a sample by next month."
Ruby Sullivan had put another bet on the FIFI Awards.
FIFI is the Oscar of the perfu world, organized by the Fragrance Foundation. Ruby’s first perfu, Roman Holiday, developed at The Lawson Group, had won the Perfu Star Award, and she was recognized as the Best New Perfur. Each year since then, her perfus had consistently won awards, establishing her position in the Euronia and ridia perfu world.
Perfu developnt in Astoria has lagged, failing to gain recognition in Western circles. Additionally, Dr. L is the only one to have received the Lifeti Achievent Award, with his influence being imnse. Initially, she wasn’t keen on participating. Although it was a good opportunity, failing would surely provide the dia with an opening to aggressively report.
A perfur who left The Lawson Group and seemingly amounted to nothing, regardless of past glory, would be interpreted as having relied on a man’s aura. Consequently, even her and Ethan’s previously speculated ntor-disciple relationship wouldn’t be spared from further public exploitation.
If she were alone, she wouldn’t fear these repercussions, but she now had to consider Ethan Sterling’s reputation. Fine, it’s not a necessity, but upon considering his position first, she decided against entering the competition.
She didn’t want this man to be the subject of criticism due to her reputation.
Yet now, the situation had changed sowhat, and she had no choice but to take the risk, deciding to believe once in fairness prevailing.
Honestly, she herself wasn’t sure how much her nurous awards at The Lawson Group were due to L’s influence. Being next to this man, who inherently radiated greatness, for so long had sowhat eroded her confidence in her own abilities, which was one reason she had been planning to leave The Lawson Group.
She’d never wanted to be a woman who relied on a powerhouse for comfort.
Sasha slowly devoured the steak and smiled, "In that case, why not help each other out?"
Ruby saw Sasha’s exuberant deanor and knew the girl had definitely co up with a clever idea, and she promptly brightened up, "Miss, I’m eager to hear more!"
Sasha chuckled and put down the utensils, wiped her mouth, and said, "Let use the restroom, I’ll be right back." She got up and walked a few steps but suddenly froze.
Opposite her, a well-shaped young woman was walking arm in arm with a burly older man.
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