The next day, Ava was awakened by the sound of her ringing phone.
Perhaps because she had gone to bed too late and spent the entire night dreaming, her head was pounding, especially her temples, which throbbed with a sharp, needle-like pain.
Frowning, she groggily reached for her phone on the nightstand and answered with her eyes still closed: "Hello?"
"Did I wake you?" On the other end, Mia could tell immediately that Ava had been sleeping.
Hearing Mia's voice, Ava's brain cleared somewhat. She gently massaged her temples: "I went to bed too late last night. What's up, Mia?"
Mia: "There's an industry summit this afternoon. I want you to come with me."
"An industry summit?"
At these words, Ava instantly became alert, she shot up in bed: "In New York?"
"Of course."
Mia: "I only got the chance to attend thanks to my company's connections. I've heard this summit will be packed with industry leaders. If you're planning to build a career in New York, this is a great opportunity to network."
Ava: "That's fantastic! Thank you, Mia!"
She had been worrying about her professional network since deciding to move to New York. After six years abroad, most of her superficial friendships back home had faded away, and she was reluctant to use the Tan family's resources unless absolutely necessary.
Mia's call had come at just the right time.
On the other end, Mia laughed: "I knew you'd be interested. See you this afternoon—make sure you dress to impress."
"No problem!"
After hanging up, Ava reset her mood, threw back the covers, got out of bed, and walked into the bathroom.
Her top priority now was to save her studio. She didn't have time for melancholy. New York was a big city—unless they deliberately sought each other out, they probably wouldn't cross paths again.
That afternoon, Ava carefully applied her makeup and meticulously selected a white satin maxi dress paired with a blazer. With her naturally slender, tall figure and perfectly balanced figure, this outfit made her look even more elegant and poised.
Just before leaving, Ava received a text from Amelia: [Hey girl, there's a high school alumni gathering tonight. Want to come?]
Ava glanced at the message while putting on her heels.
Alumni gathering? What alumni gathering? She hadn't heard about this.
While she was pondering, her phone buzzed again.
Amelia: [Don't worry, I've checked—Sebastian won't be there. You won't run into him so soon.]
Seeing this, Ava let out a soft scoff and pressed the voice message button: "I'm busy today, go have fun without me. And why should I care whether he's going or not? Who cares?"
Her tone was dripping with attitude.
Amelia remained skeptical: [If you don't care, why won't you go?]
Ava grabbed her purse and walked out in her high heels: "Your girl's got serious business today. I'm attending an industry summit with my former boss to do some networking."
This is indeed serious business, Amelia: [Fine then, I won't go either. Without you there, I wouldn't have anyone interesting to talk to anyway.]
Ava: "Let's plan something another day. I need to head out now."
After ending the call, Ava sent Mia a quick text, then opened her ride-sharing app to order a car.
She made a mental note to get her own car soon—not having one was becoming quite inconvenient.
-
That afternoon, Ava met Mia at the industry summit venue as planned.
True to Mia's words, the summit was packed with industry heavyweights. Ava even recognized a few familiar faces from years ago—people she'd met when accompanying her father to business functions before leaving the country.
Mia was attending as Cymbeline's representative, and with Cymbeline having just concluded a major show in New York that was still trending in Facebook's top searches, the two women were recognized by many industry peers as soon as they walked in. People immediately approached them to exchange pleasantries.
In the past, Ava never had to worry about these social interactions and networking events. But things were different now—she no longer had Cymbeline's backing or Mia as her safety net. Networking was unavoidable.
Mia understood this perfectly, which was precisely why she'd brought Ava along today.
After the initial greetings, Mia introduced her: "Let me introduce you all to Ava, Cymbeline's chief designer."
Hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up. After all, yesterday's show had been an undeniable success. They all eagerly exchanged pleasantries:
"I had no idea Cymbeline's chief designer was so young! What an impressive talent!"
"Indeed! I attended yesterday's show and I'm still blown away by it."
Ava smiled in response: "You're all too kind."
As she spoke, her peripheral vision caught a familiar silhouette, making her heart skip a beat.
She instinctively looked up, only breathing a sigh of relief when she could clearly see the person's face.
It wasn't him.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, everyone swapped business cards, and Mia led Ava deeper into the venue.
As they walked, Mia asked: "How are you holding up? Feeling comfortable?"
"It's a bit overwhelming, but I'm managing," Ava replied honestly.
Mia reassured her: "Don't worry, it gets easier with practice. I was even more uncomfortable than you during my first networking event."
With a subtle tilt of her chin, she discreetly pointed out various attendees to Ava: "See that middle-aged man at three o'clock? That's Mr. Miller. He's currently the largest fabric supplier in the country, practically monopolizing seventy percent of the national fabric supply. I heard he's from New York like you. If you want to expand your studio, you'll inevitably need to work with him."
"The man at six o'clock is the second son of New York's largest wedding dress design company. The woman at ten o'clock is one of the top designers in the country. She lost to you at Paris Fashion Week three years ago. I've heard she holds grudges, so be careful—she might try to sabotage you."
Ava couldn't help but be amazed: "How do you know all this? I'm starting to wonder which one of us is actually from New York."
Having been abroad for so long, most of her professional connections were overseas. Her domestic contacts consisted mostly of old school friends she hadn't spoken to in ages—people who couldn't really help her professionally at this point.
"Oh, come on," Mia said with a knowing smile. "This is all from networking at yesterday's show. These people were all there, but unfortunately, you left in a hurry and didn't get a chance to meet them."
"But it's fine if you don't know them yet, you can always get to know them later."
As she spoke, Mia's gaze swept across the venue, as if searching for someone. "I don't see... with such a big event, they should definitely be here..."
Ava: "Who are you looking for?"
"The person I mentioned yesterday that I wanted to introduce you to—"
Suddenly, Mia's face lit up as her gaze fixed on a spot. "Found him!"
"Huh?" A look of confusion flashed across Ava's face.
"Come with me, and remember to make a good impression."
Before Ava could react, Mia had already straightened her suit and was walking over in her high heels. "Mr. Anderson, hello—"
Hearing this, Ava froze for a moment.
She quickly looked in Mia's direction and spotted this "Mr. Anderson."
The man had elegant, chiseled features, though he looked unwell, as if he hadn't rested properly. His thin lips were pressed into a straight line, as if he was enduring something. His long, straight legs were wrapped in black suit pants, and his demeanor exuded a noble coldness.
He stood there with an aura that kept people at a thousand miles' distance.
At the same time, Sebastian looked up at the sound, his gaze passing over Mia and landing squarely on Ava's face.
After a moment, he looked away casually, as if he'd merely seen a stranger.
Ava paused, then composed herself and walked over gracefully in her high heels.
Mia smiled as she introduced them: "This is the person I wanted you to meet yesterday at the fashion show—BrightCore Inc.'s Mr. Anderson. Mr. Anderson, this is Ava, the designer I mentioned yesterday."
Ava smiled politely, her tone courteous yet distant: "Hello, Mr. Anderson."
Only after she spoke did Sebastian slowly turn his gaze to her face, as if just noticing someone had spoken.
He didn't say anything, just looked at her.
As their eyes met, Ava could clearly feel the subtle pressure of authority emanating from him.
Beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were stirring.
Ava had an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
Three seconds later, Sebastian spoke flatly: "Hello."
Then he looked away, treating her exactly like someone he was meeting for the first time.
Mia: "Yesterday I was disappointed that I couldn't introduce you two. Avie said if it's meant to be, there would be a chance to meet, and here we are."
"Is that so?"
Sebastian raised his eyes slightly, his gaze once again falling discreetly on her face: "Then it seems Ms. Flores and I are destined to meet."
As their eyes met again, Ava's fingernails pressed lightly into her palm. She then put on a polite, distant smile, flawlessly adopting Mia's social playbook to perfection: "The pleasure is mine."
Sebastian glanced at her, then looked away expressionlessly.
Before anyone else could speak, a very beautiful woman walked up behind Sebastian and gently took his arm: "Mr. Anderson."
Sebastian visibly frowned, but then seemed to remember something and didn't stop her.
"Aurora, long time no see."
Someone recognized the woman and greeted her.
It was common knowledge that BrightCore Inc. Technology's CEO Sebastian had been single for many years, and the only woman by his side was his secretary Aurora. Whenever he needed a female companion for social events, it was always this beautiful secretary accompanying him. Rumors circulated that their relationship was more than professional.
Only a few people knew the truth: Aurora was officially Sebastian's secretary, but in reality, she was his shield, specifically used to ward off unwanted romantic attention.
Aurora replied with ease, "Long time no see, Mr. Miller. You look well today."
Ava stood in place, her gaze unconsciously sizing up the woman before her. Apart from having slightly fairer skin, a marginally better figure, and longer hair, she really didn't seem to have any other redeeming qualities.
Sebastian's taste certainly wasn't what it used to be.
Ava thought with some disdain, but as she looked away, she couldn't help glancing once more at the hand resting on Sebastian's arm.
After Aurora arrived, she smoothly engaged in small talk with several executives. Not wanting to participate in the conversation, Ava stayed for a while before making an excuse to leave.
Shortly after, Sebastian discreetly moved his arm away and gave a slight nod: "Excuse me."
After leaving, Ava went to the restroom to touch up her makeup, then idly scrolled through her social media feed, casually liking one of Amelia's photos.
The next second, Amelia called: "I thought you were at a summit with your former boss. How do you have time to like my posts?"
Ava replied listlessly, "I'm a bit bored, just stepped out for some air."
On the other end, Amelia asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Ava shook her head without elaborating. "What are you up to? Want to grab a late-night snack after I'm done here?"
"Sure," Amelia replied with a smile. "I'm bored too, just checking the alumni group chat. Someone there mentioned Sebastian really didn't show up today."
Ava couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Of course he didn't go there—he's at this summit today."
"What?!"
Hearing this, Amelia immediately dropped the tablet in her hand, giving Ava her full attention. "Sebastian is there too? So you're actually running into him?!"
Amelia asked with gossipy excitement, "Interview time—how does it feel to see an old flame?"
Ava's expression became awkward for a brief moment."What's there to feel? It's just whatever. Besides, we already saw each other yesterday."
"No way!"
On the other end, Amelia launched into a barrage of complaints: "When did you see him yesterday? How could you not tell me about something this major! And here I was, spending half the day checking if Sebastian would be at the alumni gathering."
Ava's head throbbed from Amelia's loud voice. "I'll tell you all about it when we meet."
After a pause, Ava suddenly thought of something. "By the way, do you know Sebastian has a secretary named Aurora?"
At this, Amelia hesitated for a few seconds before carefully asking, "What's this about? Why are you suddenly bringing her up? Did you see something or hear something?"
Amelia's reaction confirmed Ava's suspicions.
So their relationship really was special.
Well, someone like Sebastian wouldn't let just anyone touch him unless they had a relationship.
Noticing Ava's silence, Amelia tentatively began, "Well... their relationship might be..."
Before she could finish, Ava changed the subject: "I don't care what their relationship is. I just wanted to say his taste these days is really nothing special."
Just as she finished speaking, Ava looked up and saw a reflection in the mirror.
The man stood at the doorway with a grim expression, holding the suit jacket he'd been wearing earlier. He was partially hidden in the dimly lit corridor—you wouldn't notice someone was standing there unless you looked carefully.
Who knew how long he'd been there.
Seeing him, Ava froze.
Without hesitation, she turned around with a frown, her face etched with subtle mockery: "Well, well, Mr. Anderson. A few years apart and you haven't gained any new skills, but you've picked up the habit of eavesdropping on other people's phone calls. How truly enlightening."
The man regarded her coldly, firing back without mercy: "You've certainly developed some new skills yourself—talking behind your ex-boyfriend's back seems to be your specialty now."