Chapter 133
Alaric's words were merciless. Irene's face turned ugly, so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
Rupert's expression was even worse.
Seeing Alaric openly backing Harper like this made him grind his teeth in hatred, yet he didn't dare resist.
The murmuring in the banquet hall grew louder:
"Mr. Stuart is right. Mr. Vasquez was clearly looking at Ms. Mellon with appreciation."
"Rupert cheated himself, and he still has the nerve to accuse others?"
"That Irene is the same, isn't she? She keeps throwing accusations at people left and right. There's something really annoying about her."
Rupert was shaking with anger. Just as he was about to say something, the event organizer hurried over with an apologetic smile, trying to smooth things over. "Everyone, please calm down! This is a charity gala - harmony is what matters!"
He turned to Francis and said respectfully, "Mr. Vasquez, it's almost time for your speech. Shall we...?"
Francis took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, nodded at Harper, and walked toward the stage.
The spotlight hit him, and this international design master returned to his usual elegant composure.
Everyone's eyes focused on this design world legend, waiting for his speech.
He took the microphone, his gaze sweeping across the room, pausing briefly on Harper before he slowly began.
"Thank you all for coming tonight." Francis's voice carried through the speakers to every corner, gentle yet powerful. "Coming back to the country this time, I've felt a lot. Seeing the thriving development of the domestic design industry and so many young designers emerging, I feel very gratified."
His gaze unconsciously swept over Harper, a warm smile flashing in his eyes. "Especially tonight, I met an old friend, a young person who showed me the unlimited possibilities of design's future."
As soon as he said this, the whole room erupted!
An old friend? Francis had an old friend in Terracentra?
Who was it?
Everyone's eyes unconsciously turned to Harper.
Given Francis's special attention to her earlier, plus this statement, it was almost clear: Harper was the "old friend" Francis was talking about!
Standing beside Rupert, Irene dug her nails deep into her palms.
How could Harper possibly know Francis?
Harper, a housewife kept at home for five years - what opportunity would she have had to meet such an international master?
Francis definitely wasn't talking about Harper!
Rupert's expression was even uglier.
Watching Harper stand beside Alaric, receiving everyone's envious or curious looks, the resentment and anger in his heart nearly consumed him.
This woman once belonged completely to him!
On stage, Francis continued: "Besides the champion of the upcoming design competition becoming my final and most important disciple, I've also decided to open one additional spot: to take on one special student."
The whole room erupted again!
Francis's special student - this meant receiving personal guidance from this legendary figure, a passport to the international design world, supreme honor and opportunity!
"This spot," Francis's voice was clear and firm, "won't be based on credentials or background, but only on one thing: talent and sincerity."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Harper again before looking at the whole room. "What I hope to find is someone who truly loves design, has a unique understanding of beauty, and is willing to devote their full passion to it."
Irene's eyes lit up instantly.
Special student!
If she could become Francis's special student, what would the "Lunar Glow" series matter?
She, Irene, would become the most dazzling new design star in the country, maybe even go international!
She excitedly grabbed Rupert's arm and whispered, "Rupert, I must get this opportunity. Once I become Francis's special student, the Getty Group can completely turn things around!"
Rupert was also shocked by this sudden news, temporarily forgetting the earlier unpleasantness.
He nodded: "Don't worry, I'll use every resource to help you."
Irene was already calculating in her mind.
Francis just said he valued "talent and sincerity," so she needed to show both.
Talent - those "Lunar Glow" design sketches in her possession were proof.
As for sincerity...
Francis's speech ended with applause.
He walked off stage and was immediately surrounded by a crowd, all trying to chat with him.
Irene watched for her chance. When the crowd thinned slightly, she walked over with a wine glass.
"Mr. Vasquez," she showed her most proper smile and bowed slightly. "Your speech was wonderful. I've always admired you greatly, especially your modern expression of aesthetics - it's given me so much inspiration."
Francis glanced at her coldly and said nothing.
Irene took a deep breath and pulled several neatly folded papers from her purse - the same "Lunar Glow" design sketches she had shown Rupert before.
"Actually, I've recently been preparing a series with a 'Lunar Glow' theme, incorporating some aesthetic concepts." She handed the sketches to Francis with both hands, her eyes full of anticipation. "I wonder if I could have the honor of receiving your guidance? I know my work is still very immature, but this is truly something I created with my heart."
Her words were humble and sincere, and combined with that pitiful expression, it was easy to create a good impression.
People around had already started looking over, curious about how Francis would evaluate it.
Francis took the sketches and began looking at them.
This action alone made Irene extremely excited.
Francis was personally looking at her work!
Francis looked very carefully, flipping through them one by one, but his brow furrowed more and more.
Irene's heartbeat began to accelerate.
Although these sketches came from questionable sources, after being refined by the Getty Group's design department, they looked quite professional.
She believed they would at least catch Francis's eye.
However, Francis looked for a full two minutes before raising his head, looking at Irene with a complex expression.
He was someone nearly obsessed with design and art, and at this moment, he had seriously examined the work.
Francis's voice was calm, but carried a penetrating quality that made Irene uneasy. "Did you really design these?"
Irene's heart jumped, but she forced herself to stay calm: "Yes, these are some of my initial concepts. They might still be quite immature. Please give me your guidance."
Francis looked down at the sketches again, then slowly spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet banquet hall, it was clearly audible: "These designs have serious problems."
The smile on Irene's face instantly froze.
Francis's voice echoed in the silent banquet hall, everyone's eyes focused on him and Irene.
The words "serious problems" were like a bucket of cold water poured over Irene from head to toe.
She felt all the blood in her body rushing to her face, humiliated and angry, yet still had to force a smile.
"Mr. Vasquez, could you be more specific?" Her voice trembled slightly.