What?
I was taken aback and turned to look at him, dumbfounded.
"You an the drone light show tonight was done by your company?"
"Yes, but this isn’t even our best team. Our best was hired by a wealthy Middle Eastern client for a high price, so we’ll make do with this tonight."
He spoke so casually, I was in complete awe.
Suddenly, I realized—no wonder he’s so wealthy!
The elevator took us to the top floor.
The revolving restaurant was elegantly and festively decorated, with guests dressed to the nines, chatting and laughing.
When lissa saw , she happily rushed over. "Lily, finally you’re here! I’ve been saying for days that I wanted to visit you, but my brother wouldn’t allow it, saying I’m too noisy and would disturb your recovery. How’s your leg?"
I lowered my head to move my knee a little, smiling, "It’s almost healed. As long as I don’t jump around, slow walking is fine."
"Miss Miller, nice to see you again."
Natalie Yates stood nearby holding a champagne glass, greeted politely, then glanced at Daniel Carter, teasing, "I thought you’d want to have a private ti together and wouldn’t co."
Daniel glanced at and smiled, "There are plenty of chances for private ti, but New Year’s fireworks only happen once a year—we had to co."
I said nothing, but my cheeks began to warm up.
It seed everyone had assud my relationship with Daniel Carter, and now I was at a loss for words.
lissa hooked her arm around mine, her serene and beautiful eyes glinting mysteriously, "There’s a big show tonight; you can’t miss it!"
A big show?
My ears perked up, and I instinctively asked, "What big show?"
"You’ll find out later. Co, let’s eat sothing first." lissa refused to say more, pulling inside.
I didn’t ask further, but I already had a guess in my mind.
It seed Daniel Carter was indeed planning a big event tonight.
Once inside, I realized the entire revolving restaurant was reserved.
There were a little over twenty n and won, and many faces I’d seen at Mrs. Carter’s birthday banquet.
Among them were quite a few who ordered bespoke items from my studio recently. We were sowhat acquainted.
Seeing enter with Daniel Carter, they all gave knowing smiles but didn’t say anything.
Everyone was friendly and courteous; I could feel it was mostly due to Daniel Carter’s influence.
The dance began, and lissa was invited to dance by a young gentleman.
With my leg inconvenient, I could only sit on the side and watch the handso n and beautiful won.
As soon as Daniel Carter entered, Natalie Yates dragged him away to chat with so seemingly elite peers.
Perhaps noticing I was alone, he soon appeared and asked caringly, "Bored? There will be a spectacular drone light show and fireworks later; you’ll definitely like it."
I smiled softly, reassuring him, "You don’t need to keep company. I’m enjoying the quiet, eating and drinking here."
"I brought you here, so of course, I should accompany you. Those who greeted us earlier haven’t seen in half a year as they just returned from abroad, so I chatted a bit longer."
While explaining his brief absence, Daniel took my hand to stand up, "Co, let’s sit over there, and I’ll introduce my friends to you."
I was surprised, "Is that necessary?"
"Of course, it might even expand your business; they all brought female companions."
Before I could refuse, Daniel had taken my hand, leading over.
Thinking about how he always helped expand my clientele, I couldn’t help but ask curiously, "With your status, you could easily find a royal princess, yet you have a special fondness for a tailor, constantly referring clients to . Aren’t you afraid your friends might mock you behind your back?"
Daniel turned to look at , saying seriously, "They all trust my judgnt. Whatever I appreciate, even if they’re unfamiliar with it, they know it must be good."
"..." I stared at him, utterly astonished.
Is this the awe-inspiring authority and influence of soone at the pinnacle of power and wealth?
"Besides, you’re beautiful, talented, and have built a successful career from nothing. You’re not a bit inferior to these second or third-generation elites."
I gazed at him blankly, once again feeling grateful—how could such a cultured person exist?
Every word he spoke was like a spring breeze, reaching deep into one’s heart.
My heart was besieged once again.
In my daze, Daniel had already led over, introducing to his friends one by one.
Coincidentally, one gentleman’s companion was an editor-in-chief of a renowned international fashion magazine. After Daniel introduced , she joyfully shook my hand and expressed her desire to arrange an interview.
Knowing I would soon travel to Veyrona to prepare for the post-Christmas fashion show, having a feature in that magazine could greatly enhance my personal reputation and brand image. I gladly agreed.
Indeed, as Daniel said, every ti he showed the world, it provided assistance to my career.
He’s truly a benefactor in my life.
After eting his friends, I went to the bathroom.
Shortly after closing the stall door, I heard footsteps coming in.
Soon, an awkward scene unfolded.
"Isn’t that Lily the one trending these days? I heard she’s divorced."
"Yes, at first I thought I had the wrong person! What’s Second Master Carter thinking? So many noble ladies, yet he chose soone secondhand."
"Shh... don’t talk carelessly, or you’ll get into trouble."
"Oh, I’m just chatting with you all. She’s pretty and competent, but a divorced woman is like out-of-season discounted goods, not worth much."
"Who knows? I heard she’s quite formidable. Didn’t you see the online news? She made a ss of her ex-husband’s Gordon Family! Maybe her abilities are what convinced Second Master Carter."
"Oh, stop speculating. We’re all won; why bear such hostility towards a fellow female? I read Miss Miller’s clarification, and it was the Gordon Family that wronged her. Her counterattack would make any woman proud, and maybe Second Master Carter appreciates her spirit and skills."
I was about to leave after getting myself sorted, but their conversation blocked in the stall.
Hearing the last voice, I couldn’t help but laugh silently.
How rare, in this gathering of supposed noble stallions, there was one mindful person with the right perspective.
But just as her words ended, another voice quickly refuted, "Tch, what spirit and skills? Just ruthlessness. Heard she even got her own father imprisoned and took over the family business, pushing her stepmother and half-brother into destitution. Wouldn’t being with such a ruthless woman give Second Master Carter chills?"
I still wanted to listen further, but then my phone rang.
In that mont, silence fell.
I opened the stall door and, under the gaze of three pairs of wide eyes, walked out with a smile.
The call was from Wennie Lane. I muted it and didn’t answer imdiately.
In the suffocating silence, I walked to the sink and placed my hand under the sensor faucet.
The water ran with a splash. After washing my hands, I took my ti using a paper towel.
Those three pairs of eyes followed my movents.
Then, one of them spoke, "Hello, Miss Miller, about what we just... sorry."
I recognized her as the voice that had defended and gave her a friendly smile, "Why are you apologizing? You weren’t the one speaking recklessly or slandering."
After speaking, I deliberately shifted my gaze to the other two girls.
They looked very young, probably just over twenty, dressed entirely in luxury couture, with expensive jewelry as well.
They were touching up their makeup, with a cushion and lipstick next to their open bags.
I glanced around and my eyes landed on a white limited-edition handbag.
"That bag of yours," I nodded my chin, "is a counterfeit, isn’t it?"
The girl’s face changed instantly, her eyes darted nervously, and she sharply retorted, "Nonsense! How could I use a counterfeit bag? You’re just slandering because you can’t afford it!"
I smiled slightly, and calmly said, "That bag was designed by the famous Italian designer Bellens; it’s a global limited edition, handcrafted, with only one in black and white each. Coincidentally, I know the owners of both bags."
Seeing the logic in my words, the faces of the other girls changed slightly, and they turned back to ask, "Eve, didn’t you say... that you got this bag through a friend in the fashion industry with a lot of effort?"
"Yeah, you even posted it on your monts. Many people were so envious. If they find out this bag is fake..."
Obviously, if this got out, it wouldn’t just be embarrassing; it would be a social suicide in the whole circle.
People would laugh, saying that so-and-so can’t even afford an authentic bag and carries a fake one around to show off.
"Lily, you—I’ve only said a few things about you. It wasn’t even who said those online comnts. Do you have to retaliate so fiercely and expose in front of everyone?" The girl was angry and embarrassed, suddenly lashing out at .
I smiled, calmly saying, "I was just speaking the truth, and I ant well to remind you, so you wouldn’t continue to embarrass yourself. How is that wrong?"
"You—" she was so angry she was speechless.
My phone rang again; this ti it was Daniel Carter calling, probably worried that I hadn’t returned.
I imdiately answered the call and turned to leave.
When I returned to the restaurant, lissa Chandler imdiately approached , "If you hadn’t co back, my brother was going to send to the bathroom to find you. He wishes he could have you strapped to his waistband."
I exchanged a glance with Daniel Carter from across the room. He was still chatting with friends and gestured that he didn’t need to co over.
But thinking about the scene in the restroom, I couldn’t help but quietly tell lissa about it.
"I don’t know the person’s status, not sure if I might have offended her, but I thought I’d give you a heads-up first."
lissa frowned after listening, figuring out who I described, and snorted, "She’s not a friend of mine. She’s Young Master Ryder’s date, reportedly an influencer venturing into showbiz as a minor celebrity now. Ignore her."
Since that was the case, I let it go.
Unexpectedly, not long after, there was a commotion in the restaurant, with faint sounds of crying.
I looked up to see the influencer, tears in her eyes, causing a scene wanting to leave, being held back by a wealthy young man trying to comfort her.
I understood the situation, silently thinking she was a master of both innocence and manipulation.
lissa also saw it and clicked her tongue, "What kind of taste does Young Master Ryder have!"
Just as she said this, Young Master Ryder, arm around the crying girl, walked towards Daniel Carter.
I realized trouble was coming.
"lissa, I should go over."
"I’ll go with you!"
lissa and I walked over together, maintaining so distance. We heard accusations against : "Miss Miller, relying on Second Master Carter’s favor, you’re overly aggressive on such a peaceful and joyful day."
Daniel Carter was facing away from where I was coming and didn’t see , but he defended unconditionally, "There must be so misunderstanding. Lily never provokes people unless provoked first."
"I didn’t! I just ntioned her trending online these days, and she lashed out at , verbally insulting ." The influencer, teary-eyed, began twisting the facts.
"Bro!" lissa suddenly called out, and Daniel turned around to see .
Young Master Ryder saw I had arrived and directly faced , "Miss Miller, shouldn’t you provide an explanation for what happened just now?"
"Young Master Ryder, before discerning right and wrong, you—" Daniel Carter was about to continue defending , but I gently held his arm and pressed it lightly.
Then, I looked at Young Master Ryder, giving a slight smile, "Young Master Ryder wants to apologize? But before that, why not listen to what your companion said?"
I took out my phone, played the recording of the conversation from the bathroom stall.
It only took a mont for the faces of the onlookers to change.
The influencer panicked, pointing at accusingly, "What they said online is true; you are indeed conniving, always recording! Young Master Carter, don’t be fooled by this woman. She’s not—"
"Slap!" Before the influencer could finish speaking, Young Master Ryder raised his hand and delivered a crisp slap, startling everyone present.
I had prepared many responses in my head, but it turned out they were unnecessary.
"Daniel, I apologize. The person I brought was ignorant and offended you and Miss Miller," Young Master Ryder said, turning to apologize to Daniel Carter after slapping her.
He then turned to the influencer, who was covering her face, and commanded quietly, "If you don’t want to be blacklisted just as you’ve entered showbiz, apologize to Miss Miller imdiately."
I frowned slightly, feeling a twinge of regret as I looked at the pitiful influencer.
With the New Year close, everyone gathered for fun and joy, and it turned out like this; I felt guilty for ruining the mood.
The influencer indeed feared her benefactor. She cried while turning to , hoarsely saying, "I’m sorry, Miss Miller, I shouldn’t have sared you behind your back."
I smiled, "It was all a misunderstanding. Let’s leave it at that."
The influencer, naturally too embarrassed to stay, apologized and quickly left with her dress trailing behind her.
"Isn’t Young Master Ryder going after her?" Daniel Carter asked.
"No need."
It seed that the influencer was just cast aside like that, confirming the saying—trouble cos from the mouth.
I tightened my grip on Daniel Carter’s arm unconsciously.
He looked back at , knowing I felt guilty, and leaned down slightly to comfort, "It’s not your fault. If anything, you suffered unjustly."
I shook my head, "No, it’s just that it spoiled everyone’s mood."
"It’s a minor thing, forgotten in no ti." After comforting , Daniel checked the ti on his watch, "The performance is about to start."
lissa imdiately turned around to call everyone, "The drone light show is starting, co over here to watch!"
Sure enough, everyone promptly forgot the earlier incident, holding champagne as they moved to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The windows were crystal clear, as if nothing separated inside from outside, yet kept out the harsh cold.
With a signal flare shooting into the night sky and illuminating the heavens, countless drones rose like a starry sky, instantly imrsing everyone in a fantastical sci-fi world.
Fallhaven Tower, standing eighty stories high, provided a commanding view of the entire river scene.
The drones, like stars scattered in mid-air, ca surging towards us, transforming into various shapes one after another.
Eagles spreading their wings, dragons roaring in the sky, space battleships, towering buildings rising from the ground...
Each scene was vividly rendered, perford repeatedly over the river, striking awe into the hearts of everyone present.
I watched without blinking, my whole body tingling with goosebumps, overwheld by a tidal wave of profound admiration.
"This drone show involves a total of ten thousand units, breaking the Guinness World Record," Daniel Carter whispered in my ear.
Shocked, I turned to look at him, "And you just said it wasn’t impressive and to settle for watching?"
He curved his lips into a faint smile.
When all the drones dissipated, vanishing into the horizon like extinguished stars, I thought the performance was over.
Little did I know, the most shocking main event was just about to begin—
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