005 Arrival at Griffin's Family_1
"My sister's design, the one I'm supposed to wear for the finale, I couldn't resist and snuck some food. I accidentally stained the dress, and it won't come clean! What am I going to do now? I'm doomed, I'm doomed! Woo... Amanda, you need to help me think of something!"
Jesslyn Derei's voice choked up on the other end of the phone, "It took me so much effort to get this opportunity, what am I going to do now?"
"Derei, don't panic, listen to me," Amanda Jenkins soothed Jesslyn Derei calmly, "I'm on my way to help you figure something out. If I don't make it in time, just use your hand to cover the dirty spot when you go on stage."
"But what if I can't cover it up?!"
"Stay calm, make sure no one sees it. I'm coming right now!"
After hanging up, Amanda Jenkins found the gold card required for entry to the banquet and rushed out without even putting on a coat.
The Griffin family was well-renowned; when Amanda told the taxi driver to go to Griffin's residence, not only did he know the address, but his attitude towards Amanda immediately became respectful. He smiled obsequiously and chatted her up all the way there.
As everyone knew, those who went to Griffin's residence were people of status and identity. Even if it was just Griffin's servants, they all held high educational qualifications.
Amanda Jenkins had once sworn that one day, she would earn everyone's respect through her own efforts.
Little did she expect that the respect she gained this time was all because of the Griffin's influence.
About twenty minutes later, Amanda Jenkins stood outside Griffin's residence.
She had never been to Griffin's residence before, and although she had heard more than once how grand and luxurious it was, when she actually stood in front of its gates, Amanda Jenkins was still astonished.
She looked up, her mouth agape in wonder at the large, antique golden floral carved gate before her.
This was like a castle from a fairy tale story!
The residence of the Griffin family faced the water in front and was backed by mountains, occupying obviously vast tracts of land—millions of acres.
The security personnel at the gate thought Amanda was just a country girl who came to gawk, looking at her with a cold demeanor as they tried to shoo her away.
Amanda quickly took out her gold card to scan, and the attitudes of the security personnel changed instantly.
After scanning the gold card, the tablet computers in the hands of the security personnel would display the identity information of the person, as well as the inviter.
Seeing that the inviter was the Young Master Lucas Griffin, they no longer dared to delay her, and immediately a car stopped in front of Amanda Jenkins.
"Miss Jenkins, please get in the car; we'll take you to the banquet venue right away."
Griffin's residence was indeed large and beautiful, brightly lit despite the night, every building and green space outside the car window exquisitely detailed.
The birthday banquet for Benjamin Griffin was set up by the lake on Griffin's property, where a catwalk for the fashion show was also constructed.
Tonight, the designs personally crafted by Gavin Jenkins would be auctioned at Benjamin Griffin's birthday banquet, with all proceeds being donated to charity in the name of Benjamin Griffin.
Gavin Jenkins took to the stage and cleared his throat, "Now, for the final highlight, the design I, Gavin Jenkins, am most proud of, created by my youngest daughter, Anastasia Jenkins."
No sooner had the words fallen than applause erupted throughout the venue.
In Brocade City, who didn't know Miss Anastasia Jenkins of the Jenkins Family, an heiress of both beauty and poise, gentle and virtuous, the belle sought after by numerous wealthy bachelors.
Everyone was eagerly looking towards the stage, except for Lucas Griffin.
He stood on a dimly lit balcony far from the noisy crowd, his cold gaze arrogantly sweeping over the people below, searching for Amanda Jenkins.
Jonas Jox stood nearby, discerning Lucas Griffin's intentions.
"Brother Kirin, let me go invite her."
"No need," Lucas Griffin raised his hand slightly, "Given her character, she probably doesn't like these kinds of events."
"But didn't Brother Kirin say he wanted to see him at the banquet?"
"Forget it, just let her have her own way."
Every time Amanda Jenkins was mentioned, Lucas Griffin's aloof demeanor softened considerably.
The encounter five years ago wasn't perfect, so he thought, the first reunion after these five years had to be under the best state and scenario. That's why he considered using his grandfather's birthday banquet to meet her.
Now that he had finally found her and knew that she was still well, he felt much more at ease and was in no rush for an immediate encounter.
Since she didn't want to come tonight, then another arrangement would have to be made.
"Brother Kirin, look." Jonas Jox suddenly pointed towards the runway, "The dress you picked for Miss Amanda Jenkins is being worn by Anastasia Jenkins!"
Fierce black eyes suddenly swept toward the runway, and Lucas Griffin slightly narrowed his elongated eyes, a dangerous chill fogging the depths.
On the runway, model Jesslyn Derei was dressed in a white long gown, made of lace and organza, sweet and dreamy like a fairy.
And designer Anastasia Jenkins was also wearing a gown of the same color series, adorned with white feathers, as noble and elegant as a princess.
The appearance of the model and designer indeed brightened the eyes of the guests.
Anastasia Jenkins slightly lifted her chin, enjoying the admiration of everyone, but suddenly felt an ill-intentioned gaze from some dark place staring at her, sending a chill down her spine. She looked around but found nothing out of the ordinary.
The host took the microphone and stepped onto the runway, "Now we begin the auction."
The bidding price started at five hundred thousand and quickly escalated to four million; after reaching four million, the guests' enthusiasm gradually waned.
Anastasia Jenkins grew anxious; the four designs previously made by her father started with a minimum auction price of six million, with the highest being twelve million.
She hastily signaled Jesslyn Derei, "Quickly, take your hand away and let everyone see my design clearly!"
Jesslyn Derei panicked and instead of releasing her hand, she pressed it even tighter against her waist.
As the price stalled at five million with no further bids, Anastasia Jenkins grew desperate, "Please, everyone, take another close look at the special design at my waist."
Having said that, she forcefully pulled Jesslyn Derei's hand away and confidently lifted her chin, "The lace at the waist is inlaid with pearls, showcasing the unique and delicate beauty of a woman..."
"So Miss Jenkins' most unique design is to add stains to the clothing?" a mocking female voice came, interrupting Anastasia, "Haha, indeed quite special."
Immediately after, another questioning female voice followed, "How dare you bring a dirty dress to auction at the birthday banquet, Anastasia Jenkins, do you not have Mr. Griffin in your eyes?"
The speakers were also famous heiresses in Brocade City, where among women, there was never a lack of jealousy, competition, and showing off.
Anastasia Jenkins quickly looked at Jesslyn Derei's waist only to see stains from desserts clearly marring the white lace; it looked particularly unsightly and embarrassing! Her face turned crimson in an instant, and she glared at Jesslyn Derei furiously.
"A dirty dress wouldn't be worth five million, not even fifty!" a middle-aged man from the audience spoke. He had had disagreements with Gavin Jenkins in the past and seized the moment to kick him while he was down, "Gavin Jenkins, is this the design that makes you so proud? I think Mr. Griffin should reconsider his partner for cooperation, your Jenkins Family seems to be incompetent."
These words were like a slap in the face to Gavin Jenkins in public.
Gavin Jenkins was furious but left speechless.
The discussion below became noisy, and the atmosphere reached a peak of embarrassment.
"Who says the Jenkins Family can't make it!" Amanda Jenkins' crisp and forceful voice suddenly resounded, silencing all the murmurs.
Everyone turned towards the source of the sound.
There stood a girl in plain and simple clothing looking out of place among the crowd dressed in finery, yet her clear and penetrating eyes shone with a captivating brilliance.