Chapter 308 New Boyfriend

Chapter 308 New Boyfriend

With the competition approaching, networking cocktail parties in the jewelry design industry were popping up everywhere.

They called it networking and exchange, but really, it was just a pre-competition meet-and-greet for peers.

After all, every year, new faces kept flooding into the competition.

Designers who had already made a name for themselves wanted to size up the newcomers, while the newcomers wanted to pick up some tips from the veterans, just in case.

What Rebecca handed Esme was an invitation to a cocktail party the following evening at the banquet hall in the Design Park.

Seeing it was from Rebecca's studio, Esme looked up at Rebecca. "You're not going?"

"You go represent our studio!"

Rebecca said with a smile. "First, I don't like drinking. Second, I don't like schmoozing with people. I would rather spend that time watching TV at home."

Then Rebecca grinned mischievously. "Esme, you're representing our whole studio, not just yourself! If anyone talks trash, give them hell!"

Knowing Rebecca was talking about Gavin, a gleam flashed in Esme's eyes.

Time flew by especially fast when busy. Day turned to night, and the next day, unlike usual, Esme got ready to leave right after noon.

Looking up, she was Rebecca was still sketching away, with a pile of drafts under her hand, clearly scrapping the competition piece they had both settled on earlier.

Back then, she had said with such certainty that it was the one!

But unexpectedly, soon after, new creative ideas and inspiration kept coming to both of them.

Not wanting to disturb her, Esme tiptoed out of the studio and headed straight to the beauty salon.

She had been an accountant for three years and Gavin's personal assistant and nanny for three, but only after meeting Rebecca did Esme learn what real happiness was.

She knew Rebecca had a boyfriend, but during work hours, he wouldn't call or text, or eagerly send flowers or order coffee or anything like that.

However, she noticed that once Rebecca picked up her phone,, either his call would come through or lunch would be delivered soon after.

Thinking back to her old self, Esme couldn't help but sigh.

She felt that when she threw herself into so-called love without thinking, she has been as foolish as could be.

First, a facial.

Then makeup and hair styling.

Staring blankly at the car that stopped in front of her, Esme couldn't help but gasp.

She had only splurged a little more than usual by calling a ride service, so she wondered why there was a Rolls-Royce stopped in front of her.

She closed the car door as gently as possible, afraid that one careless scratch would cost her several months' salary.

Then, meeting the eyes of the incredibly handsome driver in the driver's seat, Esme smiled sweetly. "Sir, could you please go a bit faster? I'm in a hurry!"

In the driver's seat, Damon Cooper glanced at the rearview mirror and, after a long moment, nodded. "Okay!"

A huge force pressed her back into the seat as the car sped toward the Design Park.

When Esme arrived, the cocktail party had just started.

Looking around, the banquet hall was full of clinking glasses and lively chatter.

In the center of the hall, Gavin and several partners from Shiny Studio were working the room skillfully, as if this were their home turf.

Catching someone entering from the corner of his eye, Gavin instinctively turned around, and his gaze froze.

Esme, in a pale moon-white evening gown, with delicate makeup and a graceful figure, was beautiful like an elf.

Her every gesture radiated gentle elegance, completely different from the dowdy Esme who used to follow behind him.

He knew she had changed, but never in his dreams did he imagine she had changed this much.

To him, she now looked like a socialite from a wealthy family.

Then, thinking of her name on the announcement list, Gavin called out, walking up to her with bright eyes and a beaming smile.

"Esme..."

Not seeing a single familiar face, Esme felt a bit nervous inside.

But Rebecca's words filled her mind. Remembering she was representing Rebecca's studio, Esme took a deep breath and walked toward the cluster of new designers.

She had only taken a few steps when Gavin blocked her path.

"Esme, I've been waiting for you!"

Gavin offered her a glass of champagne with a warm smile. "Congratulations, you can finally make your dream come true!"

One was a promising young designer from Shiny Studio; the other was the most beautiful female designer in the room.

People around them looked over without exception at the handsome man and the beautiful woman standing face to face.

Esme smiled slightly. "Gavin, is harassment fun for you?"

Gavin's face stiffened.

Esme stepped back. "We've already broken up, and I made my attitude very clear to you. From now on, when we meet, please treat me like a stranger. Or did reporting our studio fail, so you're pretending to have amnesia? Sorry, your bad memory is your problem, and I have no interest in having anything to do with someone like you anymore."

"Esme!"

Whether people in the distance heard or not was unclear, but those nearby definitely did.

Gavin was furious with embarrassment. "You want to go independent? I wish you well, but before throwing dirt on me, you should think twice! So what if some studio let you use their name? What are you so cocky about? Rebecca is just a jewelry design student. The Getty family went bankrupt. You don't really think latching onto Rebecca will let you turn your life around, do you!"

"Gavin, you're so shameless, I'm warning you, you..."

"Honey!"

Before Esme could finish her furious curse, an intimate, magnetic voice came from behind her.

Instinctively pausing, Esme turned around to see Damon walking over leisurely with an easy stride.

"I told you to wait for me. Why did you run off?"

Damon looked straight at her, as if calling to her.

Esme was about to turn her head when Damon reached her side and put his arm around her waist.

His palm was warm, but Esme felt like she had been burned.

Cutting off what Esme was about to say, Damon leaned down and said in a voice that seemed like a whisper but was actually loud enough for everyone around to hear, "I know, this is just your blind, ridiculous ex-boyfriend. It's okay, honey, I understand!"

Not just Esme, even Gavin's eyes nearly popped out.

Gavin could barely get his words out, stunned that Esme had found a new boyfriend so quickly after breaking up with him, and such an impressive one at that. "Esme... what... what's going on with you?"

The palm resting lightly on her waist pressed down a bit harder.

The meaning in Damon's eyes was also crystal clear.

Esme was far from stupid.

Taking a deep breath, Esme broke into a bright, radiant smile. "Let me introduce you..."