Chapter 105

The year-end entertainment scene was destined to spark a storm. The asphalt road gleamed like a mirror as a sleek black Alfa glided effortlessly through traffic, weaving with fluid precision. Inside the car, Winnie was multitasking—slipping into a haute couture gown with the help of her styling assistant, adjusting the dress hoops, and cooperating with the makeup artist, who dabbed her face with a powder puff. On her right, the hairstylist worked frantically to style her long hair into a voluminous princess braid. The car's onboard LCD screen displayed a live stream of the fashion show event. The broadcast showcased the red carpet procession, followed by appearances from up-and-coming models and popular celebrities. "We're almost there! Really, we're just around the corner!" Wendy, pressing her Bluetooth earpiece, reassured the anxious PR team on the other end of the call, promising, "We'll make it on time!" --- Twenty minutes earlier, At the private jet terminal of Las Vegas Airport, a Gulfstream G550 from Tanzania had just landed smoothly. The stairs descended, and a figure in an emerald green dress dashed down like a gust of wind. She breezed past customs and made a beeline for the underground parking lot. Eric's driver, already waiting, took the keys, started the engine, and sped out of the parking garage. Inside the speeding vehicle, the hurried actress removed her hat, letting her long hair fall freely. Her features were striking, her eyes calm and deep, and her tone exuded mature composure. "Alright, everyone, time is tight. Let's get started." Yulia, sitting in the front passenger seat as the navigator, monitored the route and the estimated time of arrival closely. "15 miles to go. 5 miles until we reach the city center!" Meanwhile, on the live broadcast, the red carpet was entering its middle stages. Established stars and fresh-faced newcomers were making their entrances. Among them was Mia. "The organizers are about to lose their minds." Wendy hung up the call, exhaling deeply. Anne quickly slipped on a pair of black silk gloves and turned the combination lock on the safe. With a soft click, the mechanism released, revealing an invaluable set of pink diamond jewelry. She carefully lifted the pieces, taking a deep breath as she focused intently. "I've never done a red-carpet look in a car before, and I've certainly never handled a $30 million jewelry set." The car plunged back into busy silence as the team worked. Wendy's phone rang again, and she sighed in exasperation, lifting it to her ear. "We're almost there! Just ten more minutes!" "You said ten minutes half an hour ago!" the PR representative roared. This wasn't just any junior publicist—it was a senior editor from Starry Diamond magazine, responsible for celebrity covers, ad shoots, and exclusive interviews. Her assignment to liaise with Winnie underscored the magazine's high regard for the actress. The ringing was so loud that Wendy pulled the phone away, but everyone in the car could still hear the angry voice clearly. "Give me the phone," Winnie said, extending her hand. Wendy hurriedly passed it to her. "Hello." Winnie complied with the makeup artist's direction to close her eyes, speaking gently into the phone. "It's me." "Winnie?" The editor instantly recognized her voice. "Go find Evelyn and tell her that if I can't make it on time, she should go ahead in my place." "Evelyn? I'm not sure she'd..." The editor hesitated. "She'll agree." After that call, the editor's incessant nagging ceased. Evidently, Evelyn had agreed to Winnie's request. "Well, Evelyn's really being generous this time," Yulia teased. "She must be planning to ask you for a favor in the future." Winnie chuckled. "Last time, she stole the finale slot and caused chaos at the Vibe event. I helped her out, so it's only fair she returns the favor. Give and take—that's how it works." Half an hour later. Evelyn, originally slated for the second-to-last appearance, walked the red carpet earlier than planned. She posed elegantly for the cameras, showing none of the awkwardness she displayed during Vibe's debacle. The host, clearly receiving instructions through their earpiece to stall, playfully bantered with Evelyn for a few moments. At the end of the red carpet, a sleek black Maybach came to a smooth stop. Security quickly opened the door, and cameras zoomed in as a champagne-colored satin stiletto gracefully touched the ground— Winnie stepped out, clutching a small handbag. The pink diamond necklace around her neck sparkled brilliantly, enhancing her swan-like elegance. She tilted her head slightly, her face radiant and ethereal, instantly capturing every gaze. The crowd erupted in deafening screams, and the flashes from cameras illuminated the night sky. At the far end of the carpet, Evelyn couldn't help but roll her eyes, though she had to admit that Winnie's presence and star power were unmatched—dazzling and unreachable, commanding the spotlight effortlessly. The waves of cheers and screams continued unabated, even loud enough to be heard in a Maybach parked nearby. Inside the car, the LCD screen displayed the red carpet proceedings. Eric turned the steering wheel, glancing at the screen with a grin. "Miss Loxley made it to the red carpet, right?" "Yeah." "She's really..." Eric paused, searching for the right words. "Fearless," Van said casually. Eric burst out laughing. "If she's really that bold, she should've asked you to drive this car straight onto the red carpet. That would've been a spectacle." Van rested his head on his hand, a faint smile on his lips. "Not just yet." His gaze lingered on the screen, watching Winnie finish her walk down the red carpet and begin her interview. It was strange—just hours ago, stepping off the private jet without makeup, she was a different person. Now, she exuded an overwhelming elegance, her beauty so striking it was almost intimidating. She truly had everything she needed to do as she wanted. Van remembered that evening on the Serengeti, in the tent, as Winnie used the dim light from a lighter to study the tattoos on his body. The grassland night was pitch black, with the moonlight unable to seep through the tent, while the unsettling cries of hyenas drifted in from outside. Amid this deep and mysterious darkness, faint sounds from within the tent stood out—soft breaths and the quiet mingling of lips and tongues. It was Winnie's first time spending a night on the vast plains, and her heart was filled with unease and tension. Every rustle of the wind through the grass heightened her nerves, making her feel like she was teetering on the edge of losing control. She clung tightly to him, tense yet cautiously seeking comfort in his embrace. The atmosphere hadn't been meant to turn so intimate. Earlier, she had used his phone to make an awkward, impulsive call, complicating everything. She hadn't yet dared to meet the depth in his gaze. Once inside the tent, she leaned lightly against his chest and softly asked, "Mr. Marlowe, do you think I'm a bad girl?" "Being 'bad' has its limits," Van replied with a cold smirk. "Your standards are so low they're almost insulting to the word 'bad.'" Winnie frowned. Van's lips curved into a faint, teasing smile. "You could even say... I'm the one who taught you to be this way." Winnie gently lifted her head, her eyes clear, exuding a sense of determination in the faint light. After a few seconds, she moved closer to his neck, kissed it lightly, gradually shifting to his chin, and finally pressed her lips to his. Van slightly turned his face, his calm and deep voice carrying a hint of controlled authority. "Don't do that. It'll infect you." "What did you do this afternoon, then?" she asked, her tone somewhat provocative. Van paused, seemingly caught off guard. The afternoon had passed with them making their way back to the hotel. She had leaned into his embrace, feeling each other's breath, kissing countless times, but never once bringing up this matter.