Moments after An Mei Lin left her mother's clinic, her phone suddenly rang, breaking the quiet tension that had been clinging to her all afternoon.
The caller ID displayed a familiar name - Wang Linlin.
Thinking it was regarding her father's assignment, she picked it up immediately without hesitation.
The moment the call connected, Wang Linlin's sharp and energetic voice burst through the speaker.
"Sister Lin! The Luminosity Gala is tomorrow night and we still haven't managed to secure an invite for you. What do we do? If we can't get you in, the entire expansion plan could fall apart!"
Her anxious rambling made An Mei Lin instinctively lift a hand to gently pinch the space between her brows.
She already knew why Wang Linlin sounded so panicked. Her fashion brand, Aurelle, had grown at an almost alarming rate within just a few months. What started as a rising name in the industry had quickly transformed into one of the most sought-after luxury labels in China, favored by elite socialites, high-profile celebrities, and top runway models.
Every collection she released sold out within hours. Every design carried her signature elegance, making Aurelle synonymous with exclusivity and refined taste.
And yet despite its overwhelming success, Aurelle's influence remained largely confined within the country.
If she wanted to expand internationally, she needed more than just popularity. She needed connections.
The kind of power that only existed within circles like the Luminosity Gala. The gala wasn't just an event, It was a battlefield of influence.
A gathering of the world's most powerful figures in fashion, business, and luxury industries. If she could make the right impression there, Aurelle could break past its current boundaries and establish itself on a global scale.
That was why this invitation mattered and that was why Wang Linlin was panicking.
An Mei Lin inhaled slowly, calming her thoughts before speaking. Her tone was soft, controlled, and completely composed.
"Linlin, you don't need to worry about the Luminosity Gala."
Her vague statement carried no explanation, leaving Wang Linlin momentarily stunned on the other end of the line. For a second, confusion took over her thoughts.
Did this mean Sister Lin had given up on attending?
But that didn't make sense. She had spent months trying to secure an invitation. There was no way she would just let it go so easily.
"Sister Lin… does this mean you're no longer planning to attend the gala?" Wang Linlin asked cautiously. "But this event is the core of our expansion project. Do you have something else in mind?"
An Mei Lin allowed a small pause before answering, almost as if she enjoyed the suspense just a little.
"I'll be attending," she said calmly. "I got an invite."
A full three seconds of complete silence followed. And then, a loud, piercing squeal exploded through the phone.
An Mei Lin nearly flinched, instinctively pulling the phone slightly away from her ear before regaining her composure. She rolled her eyes, though a faint trace of amusement flickered across her expression.
"Sister Lin! When did you get an invite? Why didn't you tell me earlier? Oh my God, we have so much to prepare!" Wang Linlin's voice rose in excitement. "We need to contact Jason immediately. Sister Lin, you have to wear one of Aurelle's signature gowns. Which piece should I prepare? Oh! And we need to book a spa session. The gala is tomorrow night, we're running out of time!"
Her assistant continued rambling nonstop, her excitement overflowing through every word.
An Mei Lin, on the other hand, simply listened in silence, occasionally rolling her eyes as a small, knowing smile formed on her lips.
"Linlin," she finally interrupted calmly, "prepare the dress from the Lumière Finale."
Her voice was steady, but there was a subtle hint of pride hidden beneath it.
The Lumière Finale…It was the final masterpiece from her most recent collection. A piece designed to embody elegance, rarity, and quiet dominance. It wasn't just a dress, it was a statement.
Only two had ever been made. One had already been auctioned off at an astronomical price, purchased by an anonymous elite collector. And there was only one of that masterpiece remaining.
"Copy that, Sister Lin!" Wang Linlin responded instantly, her excitement doubling. "I'll also have the jewelry and accessories prepared to match perfectly."
An Mei Lin let out a soft hum in response before ending the call.
The car fell silent once again as she continued driving toward her company. Her expression returned to its usual calm state, but her mind was already moving ahead. There were still a few things she needed to personally inspect before the gala. As the founder of Aurelle, she couldn't afford any mistakes.
Beyond its fashion line, Aurelle had also developed a refined collection of jewelry and luxury handbags, each piece designed to complement her clothing line seamlessly and elevate the brand's identity as a full luxury house.
This made her preparation much easier. Everything she needed was already within her control.
As for the mysterious man in the parking lot… The thought of him offering to send her a dress crossed her mind briefly. But she dismissed it just as quickly.
She wasn't attending the Luminosity Gala as someone's plus one. She was going as An Mei Lin, the founder of Aurelle. And if she was going to stand before the world's elite then she would do so wearing her own creation.