Chapter 341: The Warrant
Meanwhile, Kate watched Kismet's pathetic exit with mixed emotions. She felt satisfaction seeing justice served, but also an unexpected sadness—after all, Kismet had once been someone she trusted. But mostly, she felt terrible about how stupid she'd been.
She couldn't delay. She had to get to Mirage Fashion immediately to apologize to Emily in person.
The moment she saw Emily, Kate threw her arms around her and broke down crying: "Emily, I'm so sorry! This is all my fault! I was such an idiot, falling for Kismet's lies like that. I hurt so many people."
Emily's voice was gentle, with a hint of a smile: "Hey, it's okay. You were a victim too. If anyone's to blame, it's Kismet for being so calculating. Besides, maybe it's for the best—at least Uncle Oliver and William finally saw her true colors."
"But—" Kate still felt terrible.
"No buts. From now on, you need to think before you trust people. Especially the ones who know exactly what to say—those are the worst."
Kate blushed at the teasing and nodded vigorously: "I get it! I swear I'll be more careful!"
From that day forward, Kate seemed transformed, determined to cure herself of being a chatterbox. The girl who used to talk non-stop suddenly became practically mute.
This sudden change left everyone around her feeling unsettled.
When Charles asked her to fetch a document, he gave detailed instructions: "The file is in my office, left side, second drawer. Blue folder marked 'Confidential' on the cover. Look carefully and don't grab the wrong one."
Kate nodded solemnly and walked away without a word.
Half an hour later, she returned with a red folder and handed it to Charles.
Charles looked at the red folder, eyebrow twitching: "Kate, what did I just tell you?"
Kate blinked and nodded again.
Charles: "..."
That evening at dinner, there was a new dish on the table. Emily looked at it curiously: "What is this? It looks delicious."
Kate's eyes lit up—she obviously wanted to know too—but she caught herself and swallowed her words. Instead, she made exaggerated eye contact with Emily, her mouth moving silently as she turned red from the effort of staying quiet. Her struggle was so comical that both Emily and Charles couldn't help but laugh.
Emily patted her shoulder with resignation: "Alright, alright, I know you want to ask. Go ahead, you're allowed exactly two words this time."
Kate's eyes widened. She opened her mouth carefully, her voice barely above a whisper: "I... don't... know..." Then she realized she'd used three words instead of two. She clapped her hands over her mouth in horror, as if speaking that extra word was a capital offense.
Watching her antics, the dinner table atmosphere lightened considerably. The dark cloud that had hung over them since the Kismet incident seemed to lift slightly with this small moment of levity. Though everyone silently prayed that Kate's vow of silence would end soon.
The official launch celebration for the merged Mirage Fashion and Obscura Fashion was held on a beautiful weekend. The flagship store had been completely renovated, maintaining Mirage Fashion's elegant sophistication while incorporating Obscura Fashion's modern energy. From the moment it opened, it drew enormous crowds. Flower arrangements lined the entrance, people streamed in and out, and inside was packed shoulder to shoulder with excited customers browsing the new collections.
"This dress is gorgeous—it's like it was custom-made for me！" A well-dressed woman spun in front of the fitting room mirror, eyes sparkling with delight.
"I'm obsessed with these colors. They're so chic but still fun—very Mirage Fashion, but with something fresh and exciting," her companion gushed.
"I heard the design team is a powerhouse collaboration now. These pieces definitely live up to the hype!"
Customers were raving about everything from fabric choices to cutting-edge designs, and the attention to detail was exceptional. Orders were pouring in at an unprecedented rate.
Just as the celebration reached its peak, a small commotion stirred near the entrance. Everyone turned to see an elderly woman with silver hair being wheeled in by an entourage. Despite her age, she radiated authority and grace in her impeccably tailored suit. Her eyes were sharp yet kind—this was Carol Rose, the legendary head of Glamour Gem Group and an icon in international fashion circles!
Everyone was stunned. Carol rarely made personal appearances for other brands, and Glamour Gem Group was considered the pinnacle of luxury fashion. Her presence was the ultimate endorsement.
Emily hurried over with a respectful greeting: "Mrs. Rose, I can't believe you came! You didn't need to make the trip personally—I'm truly honored."
Carol nodded graciously, a warm smile playing at her lips. Though her voice showed her age, it carried unmistakable authority: "Emily, dear, you've accomplished something remarkable here. How could I miss such an important milestone? I'm looking forward to watching you take Mirage Fashion to even greater heights."
Her words carried clearly to nearby guests, who looked at Emily with newfound respect. Their confidence in Mirage Fashion's quality and future prospects soared.
After the public festivities quieted down, Emily escorted Carol to a private lounge area.
Carol sipped her coffee thoughtfully, then set down her cup and fixed Emily with a serious look: "Emily, I didn't just come to support you today. I have some news."
Emily's pulse quickened. "Please, Mrs. Rose, I'm listening."
Carol spoke slowly and deliberately: "Next month, Seraphim is hosting the Arcturus Runway. It's an incredible opportunity to showcase your design vision to the world. I've secured a slot for Mirage Fashion—you can present your new collection there."
"The Arcturus Runway?" Emily's head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock and overwhelming joy. This was the ultimate international fashion stage—the dream of designers worldwide!