"Don't worry about it," Iris said. "I'm already happy you ca to see here in Paris. You attending my perfury's launch party today is just a bonus."
Ashandra smiled at her.
Their chat was interrupted when Clover stepped on the small stage and called for everyone's attention in French.
"Ladies and gentlen, my na is Clover Chua and I am Liberté's Chief Operating Officer. On behalf of our beautiful owner, Mada Iris Long, and everyone on our team, I welco you all to Liberté!"
Everyone clapped their hands.
Clover thanked the guests for coming. She also spoke about the company's origins as the forr Sang Bleu, the perfu maker for European royalty and aristocrats, and how their rebranding would foster more inclusivity instead of exclusivity.
"Of course, this doesn't an that Liberté makes cheap perfus marketed to just anyone. That's not the case at all. We strive to maintain the original brand's classic elegance while accepting clients who wish to wear our fragrances regardless of their backgrounds.
"Here in Liberté, we believe that a person's true worth is not based on status upon birth but on personal achievents instead. We believe in integrity, authenticity, confidence, courage, and freedom to pursue our passions.
"As a Liberté custor, our fragrances will be a tool to augnt your success, whatever your definition of success is. We hope that one day, our Liberté fragrances will beco synonymous with success—inclusive success. Because…here in our company, our motto is 'Respecting traditions, working toward progress. We are Liberté!'
"Thank you very much!"
Clover ended her speech amidst a standing ovation.
Iris was the first one to stand up. Of course, her husband, Jin Liwei, followed her to stand up almost simultaneously. The others followed the couple's lead and stood up as well, clapping, and cheering for Clover's wonderful speech.
"Clover did an excellent job, don't you think?" Iris asked.
"En." Jin Liwei said but his soft gaze was directed at his wife, not at Clover or anyone else.
Ashandra, who was watching them, snickered. Still, she comnted, "Clover's French has improved a lot. The last ti I t her, she could barely speak French."
"She has worked very hard to reach where she is now," Iris said proudly. "She told that it was very difficult to integrate into French society at the beginning, but she never gave up. She followed through with my directive and succeeded with flying colours. All the values that she spoke of in her speech are values that she and her family all possess. That's why I think that she's perfect to lead Liberté."
Ashandra nodded, agreeing with her. "By the way, Xiulan, has Liberté been approved to join our academy's exclusive business network yet?"
"Yes," Iris said. "Liberté's approval was faster this ti because Orchidia was already a mber. Actually, Liberté is technically a subsidiary of Orchidia, but because of its origins as the forr Sang Blue, Cross Academy's exclusive business network treated it as a completely separate company and required to do a new application for it."
"I see. That's good, then. I was going to offer to beco one of Liberté's references for its application, but if it's already a mber, then there's no need."
Iris smiled and squeezed her friend's arm in gratitude. "What do you an there's no need? I'll definitely ask you next ti, Ashandra. You're not allowed to reject ! Grandpa Lu, AJ, and Amanpio were my references for Liberté's application because they were involved in helping with it in one way or another."
Ashandra chuckled. "Alright, Xiulan. I'll be waiting for you to ask next ti."
They were interrupted by Clover calling Iris to the stage.
"Now please help welco our beautiful owner and the brains behind Liberté, Mada Iris Long!"
Jin Liwei was the first one to clap this ti. He offered his arm to Iris. She took it. Then he escorted her to the stage, helping her up so she didn't trip, and waiting for her dutifully by the steps. He did everything smoothly while staying in the background, allowing his wife to take the spotlight every step of the way.
Iris smiled at Clover who handed her the microphone.
Standing on this stage felt different than any other stage that she stood in before. The stage was simple, small, and not very high. However, it sohow felt grander.
This must be because this was the first ti that Iris was officially launching a business internationally. The faces watching her from below were also all in a different league compared to when she launched Orchidia Beauty back then.
The guests today belonged to the true ga makers in the world. Of course, the ones who attended today were only a small percentage, but this was already a good start. In the future, her businesses would also beco more renowned, as she was determined to also grow more powerful and influential in her own right.
This kind of feeling, where the whole world felt like it was within her grasp, was sothing that she had never experienced before in her past life as Evelina Vetrova.
It was an amazing feeling, so liberating!
She loved every second of it.
Most importantly, she glanced at the man standing below the stage, waiting for her, always staying by her side no matter what. The look of love in her husband's eyes was unmistakable, and so was the pride.
He looked so proud watching her achieve all of her dreams one by one as if they were also his own dreams.
Iris lifted the mic close to her lips and spoke.
"I won't waste your ti with a long, boring speech, especially after listening to COO Chua's wonderful words. She explained Liberté's mission, vision, and core values very well.
"But I still want to say three important things.
"First, I want to thank my family and friends—especially my husband for always being there for and supporting my endeavours no matter what. Our children, for giving endless joy and the motivation to beco the best version of myself all the ti. To my loved ones, thank you very much!"
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