Chapter 96

The sweet sounds of music started filling the banquet hall.

The host stepped up to the center stage and began introducing the folks who put this shindig together.

This gala was thrown by some big-shot magazines to boost their profiles and support a good cause.

When the host wrapped up, the crowd went wild with applause.

Glenn shot a look at Ella. "This is our shot. If we throw some cash their way,we'll be all over the magazines tomorrow!"

Ella got the hint and gave Lily a nod.

Lily, right on cue, raised her hand. "We're donating $500,000!"

Worry-Free Studio was just getting off the ground and wasn'tia big player yet.

So,$500,000 was the perfect amount-not too flashy, but not cheap either.

Ella and Lily exchanged satisfied smiles.

With the donation part over, the banquet rolled on.

Next up was the mingling session to help everyone make some connections.

Ella looked a bit worried. "Introducing us to Mr. Meza won't get you in hot water,will it?"

"Relax, Mr. Meza knows some of my family. I'm just making the intro.Whether you land the deal is up to you!"

Glenn leaned in close, lowering his voice. "Have some paper and a pen ready, and try to show off your skills. Mr. Meza really appreciates talented designers!".

The lighting was dim, and from a distance, it looked like they were hugging as they whispered.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the banquet, Arthur stared at them coldly.People nearby felt a chill run down their spines, but they couldn't stop gossiping.

"Who was that stunning woman earlier? I heard she's from Worry-Free Studio. She's gorgeous, with those long legs. She and the guy with her look perfect together!"

"Totally! She's beautiful, especially those legs. And the guy is tall. They're a perfect match!"

The gossip reached Arthur's ears.

Efren shivered, pulling his neck in. "Mr. Smith, this banquet is a big deal for Mrs. Smith. She probably wants to work with Ramon!"

The entertainment world was a small place.

Ramon's new TV series was a hot topic, and every designer here wanted a piece of it.

Ramon was a famous director with high standards. Working with him was a surefire way to get famous.

Arthur's face stayed cold, his grip on the wine glass tightening until his knuckles turned white.

Not far away, Ella suddenly smiled.

The sound of glass shattering echoed.

Arthur's wine glass had broken in his hand.

Efren shrank back, hiding in the corner, too scared to say another word.

He silently prayed Ella wouldn't do anything to piss Arthur off more,or the fallout would be brutal.

'What happened to the last person who ticked Arthur off? They crossed him in the morning, and by afternoon, their company was toast.'

A chill ran down his spine, and he wished he could disappear.

But honestly, Ella and that guy did look pretty good together!

Ella was chatting away when she suddenly felt a chill run down her neck.

She glanced around but didn't found any familiar faces in the crowded banquet hall.

Shrugging it off, she smiled. "Thanks a lot!"

"No big deal. Let's head over now! Don't stress, just be yourself!"

"I'll follow your lead!"

Ella took a deep breath to steady herself and then walked over.

Ramon was surrounded by a crowd.

On closer inspection, she recognized many familiar faces.

These were all big-name fashion designers, andit was clear why they were

flocking to Ramon.

Ella cleared her throat and followed Glenn over.

"Quite the crowd here, Ramon!" Glenn said,and people automatically made way for him.

The reason was simple: Glenn hadn't been back long, but he was a big shot.

Ramon turned and saw Glenn, his smile widening. "You only come to see me when you need something. You've been back for ages and haven't visited me!"

"Uncle Ramon, you're always teasing me. It's because you're so busy!"

After some quick small talk, Glenn leaned in close to Ramon's ear and introduced the person beside him, "The one in the dark green dress is Ms.Worry-Free, who prefers to keep her identity under wraps for now. The other is her assistant!"

Ramon was momentarily taken aback, then looked them over and smiled warmly."Hello,ladies!"

"Hello, Mr. Meza. It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can work together in the future! We..."

Ella glanced around, realizingit wasn't the best place to talk.

Glenn suggested, "Let's sit over there! It's been a while, let's catch up properly!"

"Sounds good!"

With Glenn's help, things became easier.

They moved to a quieter corner of the banquet hall.

Once seated. Ramon got straight to the point. "I've been watching your live streams lately. You've got good skills and ideas! What you lack is experience, but in this industry, talent trumps experience!"

He picked up a glass of red wine and swirled it gently. "There won't be any more issues with the live streams,right?"

This TV series had a long production time and consumed a lot of resources. He didn't want anything to tarnish it.

Ella smiled confidently. "Don't worry, I won't let you down! And I conduct myself with integrity,so no scandals here!"

"That's good to hear!"

Ramon made a gesture of invitation.

Ella got the hint, pulling out a notebook and pen from her bag. "Your next TV series is a historical one. I did some research online, though it's not comprehensive or professional enough. If we sign the contract, I'll dive deeper!"

As she spoke, she started sketching. A few minutes later, a design appeared on the paper.

Ramon's eyes lit up. "Why did you choose peonies?"

"Peonies symbolize power and wealth, making them perfect for the queen's attire. Of course, the main pattern on the queen's dress is the royal emblem,so the peonies are just on the collar and hem."

When it came to clothing, Ella was a pro.

Ramon fired off several questions. and Ella answered them all smoothly.

They had a great conversation.

Lily,unable to get a word in, just nodded along.

Glenn, legs crossed, held a wine glass, seemingly savoring the wine but actually keeping an eye on Ella.

His gaze was intense, filled with love and admiration.

Lily noticed this and smiled slightly.