billion book
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
This was a design sketch, the main piece for the new collection.
‘Aurelia”
He called out to the woman ahead
She turned and saw the sketch in his hand, quickly rushing over
Tm sorry, Mr. Leoroid, I must have dropped my sketch.”
A sharp cold glint flashed across Leopold’s eyes, “What flower is featured in the main piece?*
Aurelia pursed her lips, “It’s the forsythia.”
At the launch, Kelly had said it was a winter jasmine, she hadn’t been able to tell the difference
between them. Although they looked and colored alike, forsythia had four petals, winter jasmine had
five.
Leopold, with his keen eyes, could clearly distinguish between the two. His family mansion’s garden
hosted both types of flowers.
“Did you design the ‘Language of Flowers‘ series?”
“Uh…well… Aurelia stammered, neither admitting nor denying.
But Leopold had already figured it out.
Wasn’t she clever? Why kept silent when her designs were being stolen?
Had she used all her cunning to snare a wealthy husband?
“It’d be good if you put all your focus on work.”
Aurelia rolled her eyes. He could question anything, but he absolutely couldn’t doubt her dedication to
her work.
“Mr. Leopold, I swear, apart from eating and sleeping, all my time and energy is dedicated to work, with
no distractions.”
She was a bit agitated, her chest rising and falling with her hurried breaths.
Leopold looked down at her, taking it all in.
He tugged at his collar, feeling a wave unexplainable dryness–heat.
This woman, with every word and action, seemed to stir something within him.
“From now on, no wearing low–cut clothing.”
Aurelia was stunned, looking down at her V–neck, “It’s not low.”
All her clothes were modest.
“Enough, this is an order.”
Leopold dropped the words and strode off, his proud figure like a king slaying all, carrying an absolute
authority that couldn’t be defied. Aurelia stuck her tongue out at his retreating figure.
His fiancée wore more revealing clothes, her neckline almost down to her belly, yet he never got angry
at her.
Double standards!
Entering the banquet hall, she sat in a corner. Being an unknown designer, she didn’t need to draw
attention.
But her natural beauty was hard to ignore, and she was noticed the moment she walked in.
Arno, holding a glass of wine, walked over, “Didn’t expect to see you here again. Seems like fate.”
Aurelia hadn’t expected to see him either, “I’m a designer at Astral Enterprises, though I’m still a
novice…”
She paused, her voice barely above a whisper.
Arno gave a small smile, “No problem, with your talent, I believe you’ll shine soon.”
“I’ll work hard.”
Aurelia swirled her glass of juice, her mind on how the boss would handle the identity theft.
Arno’s gaze lingered on her face. She was the only woman in the room not wearing makeup, but she
was beautiful.
“Aurelia, you’re even more beautiful than before.”
Aurelia tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
Being a top photographer, he must have seen countless beauties. She was just a modest beauty at best.
“There are so many supermodels here, they’re too dazzling.”
“You’re different from them…”
Arno was speaking when a middle–aged man walked over, slapping a hand on his shoulder, “You
brother is here, come and say hi.*
A strange expression crossed his face, “Sorry, Aurelia, I need to go.”
Saying that, he followed the man away.
Aurelia took a sip of her juice, about to check her Facebook when Kelly came over, “Aurelia, are you
close with him?”
She was taken aback, “Who?”
“Stop pretending. The guy you were talking to is the third child of the the Stirling family, and the big
boss‘ brother, Arnold Stirling. Who doesn’t know him here?”
Aurelia really didn’t know, and she was immediately taken by surprise.
She looked up, her gaze passing through the crowd and landing on the man in the distance.
He was talking to Leopold.
Now, Aurelia understood.
Just then, Leopold’s gaze turned and met hers.
A cold light cut through the air.
She shivered, quickly looking away.
If the boss misunderstood her intentions again, it would be bad.
“Director, I’m a bit hungry, I’ll get something to eat.”
She didn’t want to explain to Kelly, fearing more complications. She stood and headed towards the
buffet.
The lights in the banquet hall dimmed, focusing on the stage.
A famous singer was about to perform with supermodels.
Aurelia picked up a slice of cake, planning to return to her seat.
In the crowd, a pair of eyes were watching her, filled with malice.
As she passed by, a foot silently stretched out from the darkness, tripping her.
She stumbled forward, crashing to the ground.
The plate in her hand smashed onto the floor with a loud crash.
“Ouch!”
Intense pain washed over her.
She struggled to get up but failed, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead.
A trail of blood seeped from between her legs, staining the white carpet beneath her…