"That's the problem, Sister Lin. The person made the purchase anonymously," Wang Linlin replied softly.
She bit her lip once more before continuing, her voice lowering slightly as if the information itself carried weight. "And they… they paid extremely well, even higher than the listed price. The transaction was made through a Swiss bank, so it's nearly impossible to trace the buyer's identity."
An Mei Lin's fingers slowly curled into a tight fist as the words sank in.
The one dress… The very piece that symbolized everything her brand had built, her pride, her vision, her statement was no longer under her control.
For a brief moment, something dark flickered across her eyes.
Taking a slow, steady breath, she forced herself to calm down. Her gaze shifted away from Wang Linlin and moved toward the display cases in the studio, scanning each piece with quiet precision as she searched for an alternative that could replace the Lumière Finale at the Luminosity Gala.
After a few seconds of silent evaluation, she finally spoke.
"Have them prepare the Obsidian Veil piece from last year's spring collection," she ordered, her voice firm, though there was a faint trace of hesitation buried beneath it.
Wang Linlin nodded, though her expression remained slightly downcast. "Yes, Sister Lin."
After giving the instruction, An Mei Lin proceeded to inspect a few other items she would need for the gala, carefully going through selected pieces of jewelry, handbags, and heels that would complement her look perfectly.
Only after ensuring everything was in place did she take her leave, heading toward the top floor where her office was located to handle the remaining matters of the day.
Meanwhile…
In a private office on the other side of the city, two men sat in stark contrast to one another.
The office itself was a reflection of quiet authority. Dark-toned walls, sleek modern furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city skyline. The atmosphere was calm, almost oppressive, carrying the kind of silence that only powerful men were comfortable in.
One of the men sat behind the desk, completely absorbed in the documents before him. His posture was straight, composed, exuding an unshakable sense of control. His features were sharp and refined, his presence alone enough to command the entire room without a single word.
The other man, however, was the complete opposite.
Mu Yan lounged lazily on the sofa at the side, one arm stretched across the backrest, his posture relaxed as if he didn't have a single worry in the world. His handsome face carried a playful charm, his eyes glinting with mischief and curiosity.
"Big bro, I don't get it," Mu Yan drawled, his tone laced with amusement. "You could easily get any dress you want from any designer in the world. So why go through all this trouble and spend so much money on this particular brand?"
His question was met with complete silence.
But that clearly didn't stop him.
"Honestly, you've been acting really strange since your Florida trip," he continued, tilting his head slightly as if trying to study his brother's reaction.
Still… nothing.
Mu Yan clicked his tongue lightly but continued anyway, clearly enjoying the one-sided conversation.
"First, you somehow convinced the old man to call off your engagement with the Gu Family and instead propose a marriage alliance with the An family… and not just anyone, but their eldest daughter."
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as his lips curled into a knowing smirk.
"Then you requested a paired invitation to the Luminosity Gala, something you never do. You even dragged Little Xin into your little act at the supermarket, made her give that girl a pink hairpin…"
His eyes flickered toward the box placed neatly in the corner of the office.
"And now this. Buying a dress from her brand at an outrageous price?"
He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.
"Tell me, Big Bro… what exactly are you planning?"
The man being questioned remained completely silent, as though the words never reached him at all.
His eyes stayed fixed on the documents in front of him, calm and unreadable. His presence was cold, distant and almost untouchable like a ruler seated above everything.
Without even glancing up, he slowly lifted his long fingers and flipped the page of the document. The motion was simple yet impossibly elegant. Every movement precise, controlled, almost like a scene pulled straight from a historical film.
Mu Yan watched him for a moment before letting out a small, resigned sigh. So he wasn't going to get an answer that easily but that didn't mean he would stop trying.
A sly smile crept onto his lips as he stood up lazily from the sofa and walked toward the box that contained the dress from Aurelle.
Like a cunning fox, he circled around it slowly, his gaze scanning it as if trying to uncover some hidden secret.
"At least tell me what to do with this dress," he said casually. "You can't just let it sit here all day. The Luminosity Gala is in less than twenty-four hours, and I'm pretty sure sister-in-law needs something to wear."
The moment the words "sister-in-law" left his lips the man behind the desk finally moved. His eyelids lifted slowly, revealing a pair of cold, piercing eyes. He gave Mu Yan a brief glance that carried a clear trace of annoyance.
"Have them send it to her address," he said flatly, his voice low and authoritative, before returning his attention back to the documents as if nothing had happened.
Mu Yan blinked then let out a long, defeated sigh.
"Just like that…?"
Really?
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his playful expression returning as a thought formed in his mind.
Whatever his brother was planning he was definitely going to find out one way or another...