At the thought of the encounter in the parking lot, An Mei Lin finally realized that she didn't even know the names of the two young men who were Little Xin's uncles.
She had been so overwhelmed by everything that had happened, by the strange encounter and the unfamiliar emotions stirring within her, that it had completely slipped her mind to even exchange names or contacts.
All she knew was that they must be very powerful individuals if they could have such easy access to an elite event like the Luminosity Gala.
An Mei Lin could also clearly sense the danger surrounding the mysterious man seated in the car. That suffocating aura, that quiet dominance… it was not something one could easily ignore. But strangely, the thought of that danger did not bring fear to her as she had imagined it would. Rather, she felt curious.
A quiet, dangerous curiosity. Almost like a child seeing fire for the very first time, fascinated by its beauty without fully understanding the danger it held.
Just who was this man?
And how exactly did he intend to send her a dress and pick her up when he didn't even know her most basic information, such as her name?
The question lingered in her mind for a while before she finally let out a soft breath and shrugged it off.
She had been around powerful people for far too long not to understand how they operated. For people like them, nothing remained hidden under the sky.
The thought caused An Mei Lin's expression to harden slightly, a faint frown forming between her brows. She had wanted to get into the Luminosity Gala through her own means, not through a man whose name she didn't even know.
But deep down, she knew there was really nothing she could do about it. And beneath all that irritation, there was a very faint trace of gratitude buried quietly within her heart.
Moments later, An Mei Lin stepped into Aurelle's headquarters, the soft hum of the air conditioning and the faint rustle of fabrics and sketches welcoming her like a quiet orchestra. The familiar atmosphere instantly grounded her.
She had taken the CEO's private entrance to avoid being bombarded by her employees, but even then, she still bumped into a few of them along the corridor.
The moment they saw her, they straightened immediately and bowed respectfully.
"Miss An."
An Mei Lin acknowledged them with a slight nod, her expression calm and composed as always.
The headquarters was her main working space, the place she frequented the most. Although she was the head designer of Aurelle, she still handled many official matters regarding the brand, making her presence in the company essential.
Aurelle's headquarters consisted of six floors, each carefully structured to reflect both luxury and efficiency.
The first floor served as the reception and showroom. It displayed some of their rarest and most accomplished pieces, designs that could not be found in any of the flagship stores across the country. These pieces were reserved for elite clients and special showcases.
The second floor was the design studio, also known as the atelier, which An Mei Lin often referred to as the heart of the brand. It was where most of the sketches were brought to life, where ideas transformed into tangible masterpieces. It also catered to high-profile clients who desired customized designs tailored specifically to them.
The third floor housed the executive offices, where important meetings, negotiations, and business deals were conducted.
The fourth floor was occupied by the marketing and PR teams. They handled Aurelle's social media presence, campaign strategies, and event planning. It also included a mini studio for content creation, spaces for photoshoots and campaign preparation, as well as a stylish cafeteria and lounge area where employees could relax or brainstorm in a more comfortable setting.
The fifth floor functioned as a VIP and event space. It featured a private lounge for important clients, investors, and partners. Aurelle often hosted exclusive viewings, gala preparations, and private meetings with top clients on this floor.
The final floor belonged entirely to An Mei Lin. She had the entire space to herself because she worked best in solitude. It housed her personal office, along with a smaller office where Wang Linlin worked.
Her floor also included a private mini-bedroom and a spacious closet for days when she was overwhelmed with work and couldn't return home, or when she had urgent events to attend.
There was also a mini terrace with a beautifully arranged garden just outside her office, a quiet space she occasionally used for private discussions or simply to catch her breath when everything felt overwhelming.
After briefly acknowledging a few employees, she walked elegantly toward the private elevator and pressed the button for the second floor.
She needed to personally inspect the Lumière Finale piece she planned on wearing to the Luminosity Gala.
Upon arriving at the second floor, her eyes immediately landed on Wang Linlin, who stood near the entrance of the atelier.
Her assistant was fidgeting nervously with her dress, her brows slightly furrowed and worry clearly written across her fair face.
A thin line appeared between An Mei Lin's brows as she closed the distance between them.
"Sister Lin…" Wang Linlin began hesitantly, her voice unusually uncertain. "…the Lumière Finale piece you asked us to prepare…"
Her eyes darted around as she struggled to find the right words, clearly unsure of how to deliver the news.
Seeing her hesitation, An Mei Lin frowned slightly. Her gaze sharpened, silently urging her to continue.
Wang Linlin bit her lip before finally speaking.
"Sister Lin… I don't know how it happened, but right before you called…"
She paused briefly, gathering her courage.
"…someone had already purchased the last piece of the Lumière Finale."
An Mei Lin froze in the middle of the studio.
Her steps halted completely.
"Bought…?" she repeated slowly, her voice low and controlled.
A brief silence passed before she spoke again, her eyes darkening slightly.
"…By who?"