Chapter 27
Chloe couldn't be happier. She turned to look at Charlotte with gentle yet helpless eyes.
"Don't take it personally. They don't mean any harm - they're just a bit blunt."
Charlotte gave her a deep look but said nothing.
Feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, Chloe quickly changed the subject.
"Oh, I have some good news to tell you."
There was a hint of showing off in her tone. "Someone very important is coming later."
"Who?" Charlotte asked with a frown.
"Claire Cavendish, the founder of MY."
Chloe's eyes lit up at the mention. "When she heard I was attending the Langley family's reunion party, Claire agreed to get me a limited edition custom dress."
Her brand specializes in custom dresses. Even A-list celebrities in the country are dying to wear their clothes. Even for socialites like us, not everyone can get their hands on one!
Claire is only doing this because of the Langley family's influence, which really made Chloe realize how important connections are.
If she had been born into the Langley family, she wouldn't need to borrow their influence - just a casual word from her would get her things she wouldn't even dare to dream of.
When they heard Claire was coming, all the socialites got excited.
"Wow, it's Claire from MY! Her original designs aren't something just anyone can wear!"
"Yeah, Chloe, you're amazing!"
"I heard Claire rarely shows up in person - usually her assistant delivers the clothes. Chloe, the fact that she's coming herself shows how much face you have!"
Listening to their compliments, Chloe smiled modestly. "She knew I was hosting this tea party today and insisted on delivering it herself. I couldn't stop her. Plus, when I attend the Langley family's reunion party, if anyone asks about the dress, I can put in a good word for her."
Then Chloe looked at Charlotte with a hint of showing off. "You know about MY dresses, right?"
Charlotte leaned back in her chair, lazily picking up her teacup for a sip.
MY...
She thought of that woman who used to wear those thick black-framed glasses, and couldn't help but smile.
Chloe misunderstood and pretended to be surprised. "And you call yourself a jewelry designer! In the luxury brand world, MY's jewelry dresses are super famous. You don't know about them?"
Another socialite sighed. "You're really out of touch for a designer. MY is a top-tier custom dress brand in the country. One dress costs at least hundreds of thousands, and limited editions go for over a million. We could afford them if we stretched our budgets, but they're exclusively for celebrities - we can't even get our hands on them! This time, she's only providing one to Chloe because of the Langley family's influence."
There was a touch of pride in her voice.
After hearing this, Charlotte pulled at her lips. "I see."
She gave Chloe a deep look. "Alright, I get it."
Chloe got more and more into it. "When Ms. Cavendish gets here, I'll have her explain MY's design philosophy to you. Even though you can't afford it, you can still learn about it. After all..."
Before she could finish, a servant rushed over.
"The important guest you invited is here!"
Hearing that Claire had arrived, Chloe quickly looked over and saw a woman in her thirties wearing a MY custom suit dress, with trendy short hair, walking over with confident strides and a strong presence.
"This is Ms. Claire Cavendish, founder of MY." Chloe quickly introduced her.
The other socialites rushed forward with Chloe to greet her.
"Ms. Cavendish, you're here! Thank you so much for coming in person."
Chloe reached out to take the garment bag, but Claire stood frozen, not handing it to her.
Feeling confused, she noticed Claire's gaze moving past her toward the girl sitting at the table - the only one who hadn't gotten up to greet her, still drinking her tea.
Chloe's heart tightened.
She knew Claire had a big temper. Everyone else had come to greet her, but Charlotte stood out by staying put, looking like she didn't care and wasn't taking Claire seriously.
She was afraid Claire would get angry. She didn't want to offend Claire or let her have a bad experience here.
With this thought, Chloe quickly explained, "Please don't be upset. She's my sister. She grew up in the countryside and really doesn't know proper manners, but..."
Before she could finish, Claire walked straight up to Charlotte and said respectfully, "Ms. Johnson! It's been so long - I finally get to see you!"
At these words, not only Chloe was stunned, but everyone else was too.
Their eyes darted back and forth between the two.
Chloe never expected this situation and hesitated.
"You two... know each other?"
"More than just know each other!"
Claire got excited, though her eyes and attention were completely on Charlotte.
"What are you doing here? Ms. Johnson, did you know I'd be here and came because of that?"
At this, the room fell silent.
Everyone looked at her and Charlotte in disbelief, thinking they'd heard wrong.
Ms. Johnson?
Who was the famous Claire calling that?
Everyone seemed shocked, their eyes scanning back and forth between the two.
Charlotte calmly put down her teacup and gave Claire a slight nod.
"Ms. Cavendish, long time no see."
"Long time no see!" Claire smiled. "You didn't come to the last MY shareholders' meeting. I thought you were away on business, so I didn't dare disturb you. I never expected to run into you here."
Chloe listened in a daze.
Shareholders' meeting? MY's shareholders' meeting?
Wasn't that only for MY's founders and shareholders?
Charlotte is a shareholder of MY?
Chloe's expression changed instantly.
She walked over with a forced smile. "Ms. Cavendish, you know my sister?"
Only then did Claire remember Chloe beside her and turned to look at her.
"You didn't know? She's MY's second-largest shareholder, holding twenty percent of the company's shares. All major company decisions need her approval before they can reach the board."
Everyone was completely stunned.
This country bumpkin kicked out by the Johnson family is a shareholder of MY?
Chloe's breathing quickened, feeling like she was about to faint.
No, this had to be fake. This had to be a joke.
But Claire had no reason to joke with her.
Chloe clenched her teeth.
"Ms. Johnson, are you here for the tea party today? If I'd known you were here, I would have brought you those new limited edition pieces from the company."
As Claire spoke, she immediately pulled out her tablet from her bag and found photos of the limited edition dresses to show Charlotte.
"Do you like these two? If you do, I won't lend them to Beatrice for the red carpet ceremony."
At this, everyone else gasped.
Beatrice Montague.
The newly crowned Best Actress, a true talent who'd made it internationally!
Even she had to take a backseat to Charlotte?