Chapter 106 Mr. Windsor's Shameless Side
Lucy stood watching it all unfold, her excitement mounting by the minute.
She never expected Clara to win Elora's approval. If Clara could secure a partnership with Luminance Jewels, the Johnson family's social standing would skyrocket. Then, if Lucy could leverage Clara's connection to get close to Elora, or even Charles himself, she'd hit the ultimate jackpot.
Watching everyone's tacit acceptance, Elora felt increasingly triumphant.
She turned to Clara with the tone of someone bestowing a great favor, "Ms. Johnson, I've been impressed with your recent design work. Luminance Jewels happens to have a cross-industry collaboration project coming up, and I think Mirage Fashion would be perfect for it. If you're interested, we can discuss details later. Perhaps we can make something happen."
Clara nearly jumped out of her skin with excitement at the prospect of collaboration.
Luminance Jewels—what level of company was that?
Partnering with Luminance Jewels wouldn't just elevate Mirage Fashion's reputation; she could leverage their resources to crush Obscura Fashion. This was like winning the lottery!
She nodded eagerly, "Ms. King, thank you so much for this opportunity!"
Elora barely acknowledged her enthusiasm with a dismissive hum, already calculating her own agenda. She had no real interest in a small-time operation like Mirage Fashion—the collaboration offer was simply bait to secure Clara as an ally.
Clara has a grudge against Emily and desperately needed resources, which meant she'd be perfectly compliant. Together, they could easily take Emily down.
And with Clara doing the dirty work, even if things went south, Elora would remain untouchable.
Elora patted Clara's shoulder condescendingly. "Come to my private suite later."
With that, she strode toward the center of the venue, leaving Clara standing there practically vibrating with excitement.
Seeing Elora's endorsement of Clara, the surrounding crowd's attitude shifted instantly.
The same ladies who'd been mocking Clara moments before now rushed to make amends, "Ms. Johnson, I spoke out of turn earlier. Please don't take it to heart."
"Ms. Johnson, if you have any design collaborations in the future, you'll consider us first, won't you?"
Clara basked in the renewed attention, her smugness growing by the minute. Only when the crowd dispersed did the venomous glint return to her eyes.
'Elora, you think you're so superior just because you were born into privilege? What's with the attitude! Just wait. Sooner or later, you'll all be beneath me.'
Charles led Emily to the club's top floor. As the elevator doors opened, they revealed an elegantly appointed private suite—floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire Emerald City skyline, while inside, plush sofas and exquisite coffee tables were arranged around the room, the air carrying hints of subtle aromatherapy.
Charles walked to the wall and pressed a hidden button. A panel slid open silently, revealing a champagne-colored couture gown hanging inside.
The dress was crafted from the finest silk, its skirt embroidered with pearls and tiny diamonds forming delicate vine patterns that caught the light with a soft, mesmerizing glow.
"I had this made especially for you after the first time I saw you. It's tailored to your exact measurements. Want to try it on?" Charles moved to Emily's side, his voice incredibly gentle.
He'd seen Emily in all kinds of outfits, yet always felt that even the most beautiful clothes paled in comparison to her natural radiance. Still, he wanted to lay the world's finest things at her feet.
Emily approached the gown, her fingertips brushing against the fabric—it felt impossibly soft and smooth. She could sense the care that had gone into every stitch, every embellishment perfectly placed.
"It's a beautiful dress. Thank you."
Under Charles's watchful gaze, Emily stepped into the dressing room and changed into the gown. When she emerged, Charles was instantly stunned by her beauty.
The champagne color made her even more enchanting, the tailored cut highlighting her perfect curves, while the pearls and diamonds on the skirt caught the light with each movement like stars scattered across the night sky.
Charles's breathing immediately became unsteady, his gaze fixed on Emily. All traces of his usual composure and professionalism vanished, replaced by undisguised adoration. Even his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
He'd seen plenty of beautiful women—socialites, celebrities, models. Yet this woman standing before him, simply wearing a dress he'd given her, could make his heart race and his breath catch just by existing.
Instead of moving closer, he actually took a half-step back, tilting his head with a roguish smile, "Emily, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You know I can't resist you."
Emily felt her cheeks burn at his words, reaching to adjust her skirt, but Charles quickly stepped forward and caught her wrist.
His palm was warm with slight calluses, and with one gentle pull, he drew her close. They stood mere inches apart, his cedar cologne mixed with warm breath brushing against her ear, making her want to squirm away.
"Why are you trying to escape?" Charles chuckled, his other hand gently lifting her chin to prevent her from turning away. His eyes sparkled like they held stars. "I haven't finished looking at you yet. How can you be this beautiful?"
Before Emily could respond, he leaned down and kissed her.
It wasn't some domineering deep kiss, but rather carried a careful tenderness, his lips barely brushing hers as if testing the waters, almost like he was being playful.
Halfway through the kiss, he deliberately pulled back slightly, pressing his forehead against hers, his voice soft and husky, "Let me kiss you once more, just once. You're so beautiful that you've got my heart all tangled up."
Emily was completely disarmed by his shameless behavior, just about to push him away, when someone knocked on the suite door. A server's voice came from outside, "Mr. Windsor, Ms. Johnson, the event organizers have sent a gift specifically prepared for Ms. Johnson."
Charles froze immediately, his brow furrowing with obvious reluctance, "Got it, leave it by the door!"
If not for the formal setting, he would have told them to get lost.
What kind of clueless server picked this exact moment!
Emily couldn't help but laugh, pushing against his chest, "Come on, let's see what the gift is. Don't keep them waiting."
Charles pouted but obediently released her, though as he turned to answer the door, he couldn't resist glancing back at Emily with the expression of a child denied candy; not a trace of the Windsor Group CEO's usual cold authority remained.