Chapter 124: Chapter 124

I was taken aback and turned to look at him, dumbfounded.

"You mean 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 Melissa saw me, 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 me politely, then glanced at Daniel Carter, teasing, "I thought you’d want to have a private time together and wouldn’t come."

Daniel glanced at me and smiled, "There are plenty of chances for private time, but New Year’s fireworks only happen once a year—we had to come."

I said nothing, but my cheeks began to warm up.

It seemed everyone had assumed my relationship with Daniel Carter, and now I was at a loss for words.

Melissa hooked her arm around mine, her serene and beautiful eyes glinting mysteriously, "There’s a big show tonight; you can’t miss it!"

My ears perked up, and I instinctively asked, "What big show?"

"You’ll find out later. Come, let’s eat something first." Melissa refused to say more, pulling me inside.

I didn’t ask further, but I already had a guess in my mind.

It seemed 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 men and women, 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 somewhat acquainted.

Seeing me 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 Melissa was invited to dance by a young gentleman.

With my leg inconvenient, I could only sit on the side and watch the handsome men and beautiful women.

As soon as Daniel Carter entered, Natalie Yates dragged him away to chat with some 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 me 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 me 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, "Come, 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 me 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 me. Aren’t you afraid your friends might mock you behind your back?"

Daniel turned to look at me, saying seriously, "They all trust my judgment. 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 someone 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 me over, introducing me 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 me, 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 time he showed me the world, it provided assistance to my career.

He’s truly a benefactor in my life.

After meeting 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 someone 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 mess of her ex-husband’s Gordon Family! Maybe her abilities are what convinced Second Master Carter."

"Oh, stop speculating. We’re all women; 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 me 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 moment, 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 immediately.

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 time using a paper towel.

Those three pairs of eyes followed my movements.

Then, one of them spoke, "Hello, Miss Miller, about what we just... sorry."

I recognized her as the voice that had defended me 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. Chapters first released on novel⸺fire.net

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 me 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 moments. 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 me who said those online comments. Do you have to retaliate so fiercely and expose me in front of everyone?" The girl was angry and embarrassed, suddenly lashing out at me.

I smiled, calmly saying, "I was just speaking the truth, and I meant 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 time it was Daniel Carter calling, probably worried that I hadn’t returned.

I immediately answered the call and turned to leave.

When I returned to the restaurant, Melissa Chandler immediately approached me, "If you hadn’t come back, my brother was going to send me 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 come over.

But thinking about the scene in the restroom, I couldn’t help but quietly tell Melissa 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."

Melissa 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.

Melissa 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.

"Melissa, I should go over."

Melissa and I walked over together, maintaining some distance. We heard accusations against me: "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 me, but he defended me unconditionally, "There must be some misunderstanding. Lily never provokes people unless provoked first."

"I didn’t! I just mentioned her trending online these days, and she lashed out at me, verbally insulting me." The influencer, teary-eyed, began twisting the facts.

"Bro!" Melissa suddenly called out, and Daniel turned around to see me.

Young Master Ryder saw I had arrived and directly faced me, "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 me, 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 me 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 moment for the faces of the onlookers to change.

The influencer panicked, pointing at me 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 immediately."

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 ; I felt guilty for ruining the mood.

The influencer indeed feared her benefactor. She cried while turning to me, hoarsely saying, "I’m sorry, Miss Miller, I shouldn’t have smeared 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.

It seemed that the influencer was just cast aside like that, confirming the saying—trouble comes from the mouth.

I tightened my grip on Daniel Carter’s arm unconsciously.

He looked back at me, 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 time." After comforting me, Daniel checked the time on his watch, "The performance is about to start."

Melissa immediately turned around to call everyone, "The drone light show is starting, come 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 immersing 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, came 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, performed repeatedly over the river, striking awe into the hearts of everyone present.

I watched without blinking, my whole body tingling with goosebumps, overwhelmed 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—