Chapter 398: Style
[I'm officially in love! This man is absolutely mesmerizing!]
[Where are all those people who said Obscura Fashion hired a nobody? Come look at this—you call THIS a nobody? This is an ARTIST!]
[Evelyn's fans, please stop embarrassing yourselves. They're not even in the same league, okay?]
Public opinion began to shift.
More and more people were captivated by Daniel's sophistication and the artistry of the video, spontaneously defending Obscura Fashion.
[Honestly, Evelyn's vibe doesn't match Obscura Fashion at all. She's too cutesy, lacks that refined elegance.]
[Obscura Fashion's choice this time is brilliant! THIS is the true fusion of classical and modern!]
[I'm already excited for this season's collection!]
[THIS is the kind of class a brand should have! Supporting Obscura Fashion!]
Evelyn's fans tried to continue their attacks, but their comments were quickly drowned out.
Because Daniel's fans—though fewer in number than those of mainstream celebrities—were of exceptionally high quality, and they had entered the fray.
[As a longtime Daniel fan, I have to say, Obscura Fashion made the perfect choice! Daniel's essence perfectly aligns with the brand's philosophy!]
[Daniel never accepts commercial endorsements. The fact that he agreed this time shows how thoughtfully Obscura Fashion approached this.]
[To those calling Daniel a nobody—I suggest you research his credentials first. Youngest soloist ever at Zephyria's Golden Hall. You call THAT a nobody?]
[Laughable how ignorant some celebrity fans can be.]
The narrative had completely reversed.
Evelyn stared at her phone screen, watching praise for Daniel and criticism of herself flood in. Her face turned ashen.
"How can this be happening... a violinist, of all people..."
Her assistant ventured cautiously, "Evelyn, what should we do now? About Mr. Windsor... shouldn't we reach out?"
Only then did Evelyn remember Charles.
Right. Charles would definitely help her. He doted on her so much—how could he let her be treated this way?
She immediately dialed his number.
Windsor Group CEO's Office
Charles was reviewing documents when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID—Evelyn.
He frowned and didn't answer.
After the call automatically disconnected, it rang again.
Only then did Charles pick up, his voice distant. "What is it?"
Evelyn's voice came through tearfully. "Mr. Windsor... have you seen what's happening online? Obscura Fashion is... they're bullying me..."
Charles's frown deepened. "How are they bullying you?"
"It's bad enough they replaced me, but now they're deliberately posting videos to get fans to attack me..." Evelyn grew more aggrieved as she spoke. "Mr. Windsor, you have to stand up for me!"
Charles fell silent for a moment, his voice growing colder. "Ms. Thomas, I believe you're mistaken."
"Mistaken?" Evelyn froze.
"First, I never made you any promises. Second, you broke your contract at the last minute—that's YOUR problem, not Obscura Fashion's."
Evelyn's face went white. "But... but at dinner that night, you clearly..."
"That dinner was business-related. And if I recall correctly, YOU initiated it, saying you had important matters to discuss. Yet everything you talked about was trivial."
His voice carried obvious irritation. "Ms. Thomas, I need you to understand—Windsor Group provides you with resources because you have commercial value, not for any other reason. If you lack even basic professional ethics, then Windsor Group has no reason to continue investing in you."
"Mr. Windsor, I—" Evelyn tried to explain.
"That's all." Charles ended the call abruptly.
He set down his phone and rubbed his temples, frustration rising within him.
Women like Evelyn—he'd encountered plenty. They thought their looks entitled them to climb the ladder through men.
But he hadn't expected her to have the audacity to provoke Emily.
At that thought, Charles's gaze turned ice-cold.
He pressed the intercom. "Nathan, come in."
Nathan entered promptly. "Mr. Windsor."
"Look into what projects Evelyn currently has lined up. Issue a warning first. If she doesn't learn her lesson, cancel everything."
Nathan paused. "Everything?"
"Yes. Windsor Group has no need for talent without professional integrity."
"Understood." Nathan nodded, internally mourning for Evelyn's career.
Of all people to cross, she chose the boss's wife.
That was career suicide.
After Charles hung up on her, Evelyn stood frozen in shock.
How could this happen?
Wasn't Charles interested in her? Wasn't he grooming her for stardom?
Why now...
Before she could process it, her manager called, voice frantic. "Evelyn, we have a problem! Windsor Group just sent a warning letter!"
Evelyn couldn't believe it. "What? That's impossible! Mr. Windsor, he..."
"The warning letter is crystal clear—if we engage in any further inappropriate conduct toward Obscura Fashion or Ms. Emily Johnson, Windsor Group will immediately terminate all partnerships and pursue legal action. Evelyn, what did you DO?"
Evelyn's hand trembled around her phone as the gravity of the situation finally hit her.
Charles wasn't joking.
He was genuinely angry—angry on Emily's behalf.
This realization filled Evelyn with both fear and resentment. She'd thought she was special, that Charles harbored at least some interest in her. But now she understood—in Charles's eyes, she was nothing.
"I... I just had fans leave comments under Obscura Fashion's posts..." Evelyn's voice grew smaller.
Her manager nearly shouted. "You call that COMMENTS? That's cyberbullying! That's a coordinated attack! Your fans have gone completely insane—they're even organizing an in-person protest at Obscura Fashion headquarters!"
"What? A real-life protest? When?"
"This afternoon! Someone organized it in the fan groups, saying they'll demand justice for 'wronged Evelyn' and force Obscura Fashion and Emily to publicly apologize! Evelyn, issue a statement NOW to calm your fans down! If this escalates further, no one can save you!"
Panic seized Evelyn. She'd only wanted to give Emily a taste of humiliation—she never imagined it would spiral this far.
"I... I'll post something right now..."
She fumbled with her phone, opening X and hastily drafting a message.
[Dear fans, please stay calm. The situation between Obscura Fashion and me is simply a normal business adjustment. I hope you won't overinterpret it or take extreme actions. Love you all—please support responsibly.]
She reviewed it several times, ensuring the tone was gentle and sincere, before hitting post.
But it was already too late.
2:00 PM, Outside Obscura Fashion Headquarters
The previously peaceful street suddenly flooded with people holding signs bearing Evelyn's photo, chanting in unison.
"Obscura Fashion, apologize! Give Evelyn justice!"
"Emily, come out! Give us an explanation!"
"Boycott Obscura Fashion! Support Evelyn!"