Chapter 44 Grand Opening
On opening day, the area outside the Windsor Tower was packed with media crews.
Emerald City's socialites arrived one after another in their designer heels. Skylar, wearing an altered evening gown that Emily had worked on through the night, told everyone she met. "This is what real haute couture looks like; a hundred times better than those mass-produced knockoffs."
Zephyr linked arms with her friend, pointing at the gowns displayed in the window. "I heard these designers are all the veterans from Mirage Fashion—the ones Clara drove away."
In the crowd, Carol Rose sat in her wheelchair, guided slowly forward by her butler.
Looking up at the "Obscura Fashion" sign, her clouded eyes flickered with nostalgia. "Scarlett always said she wanted to put Emerald City design on the world stage. Her daughter certainly has her stubborn streak."
The butler glanced down at Carol's withered hands resting on her lap, noting the calluses on her knuckles worn by years of gripping paintbrushes.
Thirty years ago, at International Design Week, these same hands had once clutched a marker to overturn a top designer's sketches on the spot, creating international waves.
"With your status, why make this trip personally?"
"When a new star rises, I always like to take a look."
At ten o'clock sharp, Emily stepped onto the stage wearing a black velvet suit of her design.
Under the spotlight, even her voice seemed to shimmer. "'Obscura Fashion' isn't just a brand—it's an attitude. A respect for originality, a commitment to craftsmanship. Today, we're back."
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
Charles stood on the second-floor balcony, watching that radiant figure, his heart racing uncontrollably.
Nathan whispered beside him, "Mr. Windsor, Ms. Johnson is wearing the brooch you gave her on her suit."
Charles looked down and indeed saw the ruby brooch at Emily's collar, refracting dazzling light.
He suddenly realized he no longer felt like a businessman. When had he started caring less about Obscura Fashion's performance and more about whether she might glance his way when she reached the summit?
Meanwhile, at Mirage Fashion, the silence was so complete you could hear pen tips scratching across paper.
Clara watched the Obscura Fashion's opening coverage on TV, grabbing design sketches from her desk and tearing them to shreds.
Her phone rang. It was the finance department calling in tears. "Ms. Johnson, the last three partners have canceled their contracts, and the bank... they're calling in our loans."
Clara collapsed into her chair. The sunlight streaming through the window was blinding, yet she felt ice-cold all over.
Had she really lost this quickly?
In the Obscura Fashion's showroom, David was guiding young designers as they explained techniques to clients.
Henry stood in a corner, quietly wiping away tears.
Emily walked over, handing him a cup of hot tea. "Henry, we've accomplished the first step."
Henry accepted the cup, his eyes red-rimmed. "Emily, this is just the beginning."
In the distance, Carol smiled at her butler. "Emily has more courage than her mother ever did. Emerald City's fashion scene is about to get interesting."
Charles watched Emily on stage, so composed and confident, and suddenly wanted to walk down and stand beside her. This impulse grew stronger by the moment, leaving him somewhat bewildered.
He turned to Nathan. "Go prepare a congratulatory gift—the finest quality."
Nathan paused for a moment, then understood, smiling as he replied, "Of course, Mr. Windsor. I'll make sure Ms. Johnson is pleased."
Emily on stage seemed to sense something, her gaze piercing through the crowd to meet Charles's eyes on the second-floor balcony.
She raised an eyebrow slightly, revealing a meaningful smile, then continued her speech.
This celebration, belonging to Obscura Fashion, was just beginning.
Emily knew the road ahead was still long.
But she wasn't afraid, because she wasn't fighting alone. She had Henry, David, and these other veterans, and... she glanced toward the second floor.
If Charles didn't have rocks in his head, he could barely count as a teammate, too.
Though whenever Clara appeared, Charles's mental state became questionable, so she'd better stay on guard.
Emily smiled slightly in Charles's direction and continued her speech.
But just as she finished and prepared to step down to mingle with guests, the venue lights suddenly dimmed.
Emily's heart skipped a beat...
Then a spotlight hit the side of the stage, and popular singer Claire Lewis walked out in a dazzling gown, microphone in hand, smiling as she said, "Hello, everyone, I'm Claire. I'm so happy to be here for Obscura Fashion's opening today. I'd like to sing a song for you, wishing Obscura Fashion a successful opening and continued prosperity!"
Familiar melodies filled the air, Claire's voice sweet and moving, instantly electrifying the crowd.
Everyone swayed to the rhythm, humming along with happy faces.
Emily was surprised, turning to look at Elodie in the crowd. Elodie winked at her, mouthing 'Surprise!'
Emily suddenly understood. Elodie had arranged this, and warmth flooded her heart.
Just then, Wesley appeared at the event. He wore a perfectly tailored suit and carried an elegantly wrapped gift, walking straight toward Emily.
"Ms. Johnson, congratulations on Obscura Fashion's opening. A small token of my appreciation."
Emily accepted the gift, smiling her thanks. "Thank you for coming to support us, Wesley. It means so much."
The surrounding guests buzzed with conversation.
"Wesley never attends commercial events, but he made an exception for Obscura Fashion today. Ms. Johnson has some serious influence."
"Absolutely, this is unprecedented treatment."
Every word reached Charles's ears. Standing on the second floor, watching Wesley and Emily chatting pleasantly, his brow furrowed unconsciously, something like a knot forming in his chest.
He turned to Nathan. "Come on, let's go down and take a look."
Charles approached Emily, his gaze settling on Wesley with barely concealed hostility, then turned to Emily, asking stiffly, "You and Wesley are close?"
Emily was taken aback, not understanding why Charles would suddenly ask this, and answered casually, "Not particularly close, I just met him through Elodie."
She privately wondered at Charles's strange reaction, though she could potentially use his emotional state to secure more resources from him. So she added, "Wesley is a major player. Having him here to support us is incredible for Obscura Fashion, and it's thanks to your influence, too, since you and Wesley know each other."
Hearing Emily credit him, Charles's jealousy diminished slightly, though he still wasn't happy about Wesley's special attention to Emily.
Wesley observed all this, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
He moved closer to Emily and suddenly said, "Elodie recommended two child actors to me—incredibly smart, but also quite difficult to handle. Do you have any good methods for educating children, Emily?"
The question came out of nowhere, but Emily instantly understood Wesley's intention; he was fishing for information.
Her expression remained perfectly composed as she smiled. "Wesley, you're joking. I've never raised children, so I wouldn't know how to educate them."
Wesley hadn't expected such a quick and tactful response from Emily. Somewhat surprised but still persistent, he continued chatting about child-rearing topics.