Chapter 881: A Rising Star In The Fashion World (part one one)

Most of the party guests were business tycoons or fashion stars. The red dress Leena was in highlighted her fair and milky skin, making her look even more like a goddess. She was indeed the central figure at the party. All the men had their eyes on Leena. It was always a pleasure for them to see a beautiful woman. Leena greeted them politely. Her bright smile and good manners made her stand out like an elegant princess. As she made her way through the crowd, all the attention was on her.

You are so beautiful tonight, Mignonne," said Gerard affectionately, as he approached Leena. Anyone who wanted to talk to Leena had to go through this handsome gentleman, and there was no comparison. He was quite high-class and stunningly majestic. Everyone else was out of his league.

Thank you, Gerard. You look very handsome tonight too." Leena smiled and greeted him politely. She did not expect Gerard to be here, because she never heard him mention a thing about it.

"Then, can I have the honor of accompanying you tonight?" Gerard raised his eyebrows and showed her an elated smile. Leena had known him for so many years and was familiar with his various smiles. So she was not attracted to him at all. But things went differently when it came to other people. They gasped at the sight of his charming smile and pearly whites because he was probably the most handsome man at the party. Obviously, they all went crazy for him. After all, a beautiful face was simply another form of art. Everyone enjoyed beautiful things, whether they were masculine or feminine.

It's my pleasure. Thank you so much," Leena replied with a sweet smile. The reason she decided to accept Gerard's offer was in order to avoid more potential invitations from other men. She did not want to have a stranger be her partner. Now that Gerard offered, why not accept it? At least, she knew Gerard better compared with other men.

Well, Mignonne, where is your husband? I don't see him. Has he already gone back?" Gerard asked in a careful tone. He had been knocking at Leena's door for the last few days. But every time he went to her apartment, that cold and overbearing man always sent him back. He was really angry with him. But he could not show his anger in front of him. After all, that man was Leena's husband and he was just a "friend" to her. Her husband, of course, had a right to refuse his visit as a host.

"Ur! My husband? Ha-ha! Do you mean my brother? I'm sorry, Gerard. He misled you." Leena chuckled when she realized Gerard was talking about Duke. Her clear laughter soon drew a lot of attention. People could not help looking at her to see what made her so happy. Noticing other eyes on here, Leena felt a little bit awkward and her face turned red because of it. She did not know that her reddened face and shy manners made her more charming and lovely.

What? Your brother? Oh God! He's your brother! But why did he mislead me and keep me from seeing you when you were sick?" Gerard was puzzled. He didn't know why Duke misled him so that he thought he was Leena's husband. Didn't her brother like he? Why did he always turn him away each time?

"Did you visit me? But why don't I remember that?" Leena frowned slightly. She had no memory of Gerard's visits during that time. Suddenly, her eyes widened in surprise. Yes, she did hear the doorbell ring several times. But she was too weak to respond to it. What was more, Mr. Cold was with her at that time. So he was responsible for letting guests in or turning them away. She recalled that Duke did not let anyone in. When she asked who rang the bell, he always claimed that someone found the wrong apartment. Now she finally understood everything. It turned out that Duke gave him the cold shoulder. She really couldn't imagine Mr. Cold acting so childish until Gerard mentioned it.

"Alas! Your brother hates me, I think. So he refused to allow me to see you." Gerard's eyes dimmed. If he had not offered to break up with Mignonne, he probably would not face such a sad situation and her brother would not dislike him so much. But there were no what-ifs in this world. If you did something you had to face the consequences.

Oh, how come? My brother is really a nice person. He is always easy-going. Gerard, don't overthink things. He just doesn't want to talk to strangers." Leena knew Duke's personality and he was not a chatty person no matter where he was and who he was talking to, let alone a stranger. That was why she called him Mr. Cold.

Oh, is that it? I may think too much. But Mignonne, how's your dissertation coming along? Is it going well?" That was the thing Gerard cared about more. Because if she did well in her dissertation, she might go back to her home country soon. This way, he would not have much time with her, and chances to win her heart back.

I don't know yet. I am still waiting for the notice." A senior passed, and Leena nodded with a smile. But they were not familiar with each other, so Leena did not go and start a conversation.

Come here, Mignonne, I'd like to introduce some friends to you." Leena's professor, Bella, was an elegant French woman. Although she was not young, she had been a bombshell when she was young because she had extremely delicate features. Those features would not change as time went by, even if the blonde hair turned grey, the face acquiring the wrinkles of time.

Yes, I'll be there soon," replied Leena. She smiled apologetically to Gerard to show that she was unable to talk to him anymore. Then she approached her professor. She was wearing a long dress, so every step she took was careful and measured. Her graceful figure made her look so elegant and sexy. Gerard was frozen by her beauty, mouth agape. How adorable she was! Why had he disliked the fact that she was so shy and reserved in the past? Sometimes the most beautiful things were implied, just like an elegant dress covering an exquisite figure. Realizing this, Gerard could not be more remorseful. He felt that he had really been so ignorant in the past. Looking at Leena now, these thoughts clouded his mind.

Bella made a toast to Leena and introduced her to many people. She was able to meet many famous designers from different well-known brands. She had heard their names but never had the chance to meet them before. She was pleased to talk to them. But she also knew that they could hardly become true friends because they were still competitors in the same field to some degree. Despite this, it was always good to make her face known to them so that she would not be left alone by others in this field. Sometimes, she might get inspiration from their idea or works.

The professor hit the glass with a spoon, three times in rapid succession. She then addressed the room:

May I have your attention, please? I'm pleased that you spared your time to attend this party tonight. I would like to express my deep thanks to all of you. And this party tonight is particularly held for my favorite student — Mignonne. I'm proud of her. She has finished her dissertation smoothly, which means she is going to be one of the rising stars in the fashion field. I would appreciate it if you can give her more attention. Her brand is a runaway success, and you need to watch this rising star. She's had this brand for a while, and now you know the face behind the designs. Of course, your valuable suggestions are kindly welcomed."

Hardly had her voice faded away when a thunder of applause sounded throughout the room. Meanwhile, they turned their eyes to Leena. They all knew this lady was the favorite student of the famous designer who had lots of well-known fashion brands. Leena was also the only Asian girl at the party.