40 International Conference

[ Chapter 40 ]

Pristine and sophisticated, somehow unreachable, these were the feelings that Cassandra gave to others at first glance with the exception of her smiling exquisite visage. The merging of loftiness and enchantment caused her to possess an unusual allure that had a profound impact on all men and women weren't an exception.

Her very womanly, lily-white chin formed a slightly sharp incline that accentuated her noble poise as she stood straight and proud with her gorgeous violin-shaped figure, just like a woman of the axis of femininity she was, both her hands were placed in her flat tight stomach posing a flawless graceful and extremely ladylike posture.

With refined grace and eloquence that seemed to seep out from her every breath, Cassandra curled up her peach gorgeously-shaped lips into a faint smile as she rolled her beautiful eyes around, a smile akin to an epiphyllum, emitting a shocking allure. This caused anyone within sight around to become absent-minded under her heart-melting smile.

Cassandra was akin to a beautiful daisy that just came out from a meadow painting. Her well-maintained brows were comparable to the splendor of a crescent moon, with a smile in her hazel eyes. Her flawless face with exquisite features. Her skin that's extremely jade smooth and sensual that it seemed that it would turn crimson by the slightest touch, capable of invoking uncontrollable desire even in most pious men as they involuntarily wished to hold her.

Standing eloquently at one side of the grandeur looking Venue filled with countless people dressed with fame and prestige from various nations, Cassandra stood under the splendor of the world as she basked herself with countless captivated eyes. Her tall, slim and voluminous body was wrapped up in her white professional gown accentuating her proud alluring curves.

Brilliant light shone down upon her and illuminated her exquisite, charming mature face, showing her shimmering beautiful-shaped eyes, which were brimming with a smile. Her natural stunning beauty was heightened by her perfectly-applied make-up. As her long blond hair was bound up behind her back by a crystal hairpin, it incited a wave filled with elegance and sophistication at every curve.

"Ms. Qin, almost everyone have already arrived and the conference will be started in twenty minutes." A well-articulated voice noted from Cassandra's left, as her personal assistant, Jacqueline was efficiently checking on her tablet and making sure that everything was alright. The distinguished looking Mr. Lu and some of her host team could also be seen standing in line not far from them.

"Splendid." Cassandra responded as she gently nodded her head, seemingly satisfied with everything that they had prepared. As the light shone down from above, it formed a halo that was akin to a beeswax candle glow around her, making her look especially captivating. "It seems that the weather is changing. Do make sure to rearrange the lighting, especially around the front VVIP seats," Cassandra instructed as she overlooked everything within her sight.

"Alright," Jacqueline responded with such efficiency.

It's natural for Cassandra to be both delighted and anxious from the current event as hosting an international conference of this scale was one of her major accomplishments in her resume. Being the host, she had poured a lot of her time, effort and capital just to attain the best preparation for this event, on top of her being a perfectionist, this event hold a major importance on Huaxian economic as a whole that's why she couldn't afford to make even a slightest mishap.

It's Monday morning and this International Business Conference was a five-day long event. Hundreds of elites, executives and delegates of companies from all around the world have already started arriving a few days before the conference. Many of them were from the top multi-national companies in the world, world renowned business tycoons and official business delegates from various nations.

Normal operations of any businesses within a certain radius from Almandine International were suspended. All stores, both private and business activities were temporarily closed and traffic rerouted to other roads. Security was also tightened to the highest level with police officers patrolling around the area at all hours and Huaxian elite defense forces were also mixed around the crowd.

The media were also covering this event in great detail because it's a major economic event and the third time the country was hosting such a major International Business Conference. There was also the presence of various delegations of foreign top media and magazines. The importance of this conference could be seen by the fact that almost all of the top listed companies in the world had confirmed that they would be sending representatives to this conference.

Cassandra kept masking her flawless face with a faint smile as she faced the people around, being the host was akin to being the face of this event that's why she had to flaunt her best hospitality. All along despite these people were all high profile individuals, she still caught many hidden inappropriate looks being thrown at her direction but she's accustomed to it.

It's just she couldn't help but frown at her exquisite brows when she caught a lot of foreign media focused their attention on her, the camera kept flashing in her direction. She wasn't some sort of beautiful flower in the vase or actress okay, she wasn't here as an entertainment. Regardless, at most she could only imaginary rolling her eyes whilst maintaining her feminine smile of hospitality.

By now, there's already quite a crowd of delegates milling around their seats when they arrived inside. Everyone looked sharp and commanding in their best tailored suits. Well-dressed ushers with warm and welcoming smiles guided the delegates in English to where they wanted to go. There's still some time before the official opening ceremony, so many of them decided to greet each other first and network in a combination of social and business purposes.

Cassandra scanned her eyes to study everyone's facial expressions, an approved look revealed on her face when she came to know everyone's first impression on the service was great so far. There's no better feeling than knowing that her hard work managed to give her such a satisfying result. Everyone seemed to be impressed and comforted by the great-decorated Venue and the brass details of elegant and luxurious ambience.

Flash.

Cassandra was looking around before suddenly, all of her attention shifted to the main entrance where a group of professional suited people were waltzing inside. As soon as this group appeared, both local and foreign media flashed on them and all the executives around stood up to welcome them with their sincerest greeting. These delegates, especially those from top multi-national companies, greatly respected this newly arrived group.

It's obvious that the presence of these newly arrived people greatly affected all the individuals present in the Venue, and Cassandra wasn't an exception. Because from where she's standing, leading in the centre of this group, Cassandra could see an exquisite figure walking with grace and conquering disposition. Almost all seemed to be unable to raise their eyes in her presence.

The figure upfront was a gorgeous redhead. Charismatic and enigmatic, was one's first impression upon seeing such a person. Refined and reserved, she carried herself well to the point of finding a clue of what she's thinking was absolutely not possible. Whilst she didn't exude any of overbearing or supercilious aura, anyone would definitely feel oppressed by her presence as it gave one a suffocating feeling.

At first glance, Cassandra could see a faint lingering smile hanging on this charismatic woman, but no individual present here was capable of appreciating the smile on her beautiful complexion. Because who knows what lies behind her superficial smile. Whilst her eyes were bright and filled with wisdom and unconcealable dignity, there's no trace of warmth on them.

Moreover, it could be said that this charismatic woman was a person with highest status among all the people present here, because other than the fact that she was the head of one of world business magnates, most people here were representative whilst she's a genuine CEO of a world renowned corporate group. Not to mention them, even if their Chairman or President were to present here personally, they still have to hold her with utmost regards.

Visually speaking, although both Cassandra and this charismatic woman belonged to the same category, an unrivaled beauty capable of bringing disaster to the nation, both of them were completely different types of person. Whilst some still managed to have some thought on Cassandra, none would have the guts to have a slightest thought on this charismatic woman even in their wildest dream.

Cassandra kept looking at this charismatic woman in silence. As both a woman and businesswoman, there weren't many people whom Cassandra held in high regard, but this woman was one of them. In fact, she was the only person Cassandra both respected and disliked the most. Though she disliked her on personal level, there's no denying that as a woman she's worthy of Cassandra's respect and even admiration.

Florencia Long. The enigmatic mistress of the noblest Long Household and the conquering Female CEO behind world business hegemon, Long Corporate-Group. She managed to put herself among the world's most influential figures in just ten years since her first appearance as a businesswoman. An extremely respected figure in the international business world, regardless of the nations. All admired her as well as they feared her.

Moreover for Cassandra. Upon a closer inspection, Cassandra could even trace from where that man got striking features from. It left a bitter taste in her mouth honestly, knowing this fact. It sounded unbelievable and ridiculous. Nonetheless, Cassandra had long dealt herself with this bitter truth.

Cassandra dragged her hidden intricate gaze away from Florencia Long and a strange smile found its way up to the corner of her closed lips after she greeted the latter. Only when Florencia and her group of executives found themselves seated in uppermost VVIP seats did the commotion finally calmed down. At the moment, it seemed that Florencia was the biggest attraction but not even a single one managed to brave themselves attracting her attention.

It's as if an Empress just arrived with how everyone was bowing with reverence. In terms of status and disposition, even Cassandra was quite pale in comparison to Florencia Long.

There were only a couple of people who managed to greet Florencia on the eye-level, and Cassandra was one of them. As the host, it's one of her utmost responsibilities to greet someone of such importance personally. Furthermore, at least they both could be regarded as acquaintances and they seemed to respect each other. For people on their level, they would naturally acknowledge the people from the same status.

It's also due to the fact that they both were quite alike. For instance, both Cassandra and Florencia were a renowned businesswoman and single mother.

Finally, at some point in the next ten minutes, Cassandra gave a signal and a PA System announcement instructed everyone to please take a seat as the opening ceremony would be started. All the executives and delegates immediately settled themselves in their designated seats. Well-dressed ushers guided those who had just arrived to their own respective seating areas.

As countless people began to make their way into their designated seat, Cassandra also found many of her friends and acquaintances, two of them were her closest friend and sister-in-law who arrived late, Jessica and Samantha. Cassandra revealed her warmth smile as she nodded at them.

The executives and delegates from the world top multi-national companies were given the VVIP seats at the front. Florencia and her executive group were among them. Whilst Samantha who represented Qin Holdings was seated in the VIP seat around the front row. There's also an area solely dedicated for official nation delegates and media. As for Jessica who represented her own company, she was seated somewhere in the back row.

In the next minute, the opening ceremony finally began. A very handsome man dressed in black suit, who seemed to be the MC appeared on the stage whilst wearing a dashing smile. On every occasion, such a fine man should be enough to impress and dazzle everyone within his sight. Unfortunately, not a single one seemed to have their eyes on him. Because in the next second he appeared, following closely, walking next to him was an impressive presence of what seemed to be the very epitome of a perfect male specimen.

The other man looked sharp and intelligent but still otherworldly charming at the same time. Dangerously beautiful. Wearing all elegant grey, he looked attractive and dapper in his well-fitted luxurious suit as it looked like it's tailored to his exact measurements, sexily showing off his perfectly-defined build and strong long limbs.

At one glance, there's nothing unusual about the man. But regardless, the entire world seemed to be pale in comparison to his suave smile.

After a second glance. Almost every female present found themselves holding their breath. The man was striking to a lethal degree, every aspect of his body designed to corrupt and seduce even the most pious of women with maddening lust. His smooth pitch-black hair sexily slicked back with gel as he stretched his lips into a heart-conquering smile, his deep set eyes seemed to sparkle with a promise of carnal delights.

Some women even bit down their lip and curled their toes in the sight of him. His tall form fluid and graceful, as he walked with his sexy disposition. Their heart skipped a beat as they watched his hips move and couldn't help but imagine the bare male flesh laying beneath that expensive suit. They kept watching him and it's only when he stopped and facing the them did they finally regain their composure. What just happened. They chided themselves as they realised what place they're attending.

Many of foreign delegates had no idea who this man in a grey suit was, but most of the Huaxian delegates, especially those high-profile ones, recognized him after looking a little more closely. However, not everyone was impressed by his presence, as most foreign male executives frowned their brows as they watched him. In their eyes, such a flower man was absolutely irrelevant in this grand event. They're here all for important business, not to look at some lowly model who has nothing but look. Ridiculous.

These foreign male delegates were disappointed at the host for picking such a model to further boost the exposure of the conference. They also clearly despised those thirsty women who seemed to cream themselves just by seeing that lowly model.

As the somewhat strange atmosphere descended upon the Venue, Cassandra who was seated somewhere at the uppermost area, had also revealed a faint frown as she watched the certain man who has aroused both lust and jealousy in people. Cassandra shook her head, one of his traits she hate most was that he had that kind of natural smile that always looked like he's deliberately seducing someone.

Although Cassandra felt helpless for him. She knew him quite well. She knew how dangerously capable he could be, as look wasn't something he excelled most. He's even more prideful and arrogant than he appeared to be. More or less, she knew what's his objection and honestly, she's looking forward how he would be conquering these people. The more capable he was, the more she would feel the urgency to get him.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the opening ceremony of this year's International Business Conference. My name is Oliver Han. It would be my honour to be your master of ceremony for today." The man in black suit greeted and introduced himself both in Huaxian and in English. The man was obviously experienced by the way he handled the situation. He clearly knew what strange situation he's in and immediately soothed out a spirit to get all the attention of the people.

In the next second after the introduction, the dapper man in grey flashed a sharp smile as he also introduced himself in both Huaxian and then in English. A well-pitched voice of rich and elegant British accent echoed through the Venue. "Morning, everyone. I'm Julian Long. I'll be both Huaxian representative and official interpreter for this opening ceremony and in selected conferences for the entire duration of this event."

The foreign delegates' minds went blank after processing what they heard.

[ r e a d a u t h o r ' s n o t e ]