Chapter 59

Evelyn, who had put on airs in front of Winnie, had always been gracious and dignified in front of others. At this moment, she smiled affably, "Indeed, the choices that were passed along were too many; just thinking about trying on so many outfits gives me a headache." "Only Evelyn could try on all the haute couture pieces in advance," another person had praised. Winnie had remained silent throughout. Evelyn glanced at her, her gaze lingering meaningfully on Winnie's ready-to-wear outfit for the season, "Actually, sometimes, buying it yourself can be a good option if you want to stand out, but it's always a bit expensive." Winnie thought to herself, "Why would I waste money on haute couture?" She had actually wanted to slip away a long time ago, but Evelyn insisted she stay. Evelyn's status as a big shot was solid; although she was always sarcastic towards her, resenting Winnie for consecutively snatching two acting awards from under her nose, she wasn't a bad person. Winnie didn't want to fall out with her. Winnie listened to them chat about gossip, her hands in her pockets, subconsciously and mechanically rubbing the face of Van's watch. "Winnie, you look good today too." After flattering Evelyn, they went through the motions with Winnie. Winnie smiled slightly, giving the spotlight back to Evelyn, "It's just clothes, how can they compare to each piece of art that Evelyn wears?" Finally feeling bored, she suddenly realized, why waste time in a place like this? Her hand, which had been rubbing the watch face, stopped. She made her decision, maintaining that impeccable sweet demeanor, her smile seemingly welded to her face as she said goodbye, "I have something to do, you guys carry on." Without even looking at Evelyn's expression, she immediately picked up her glass to toast the brand's executive and then left the event. Wendy and Yulia were in the lounge eating. The entourages of other celebrities had snuck out to shop, try perfumes, and buy lipstick, leaving only these two. Wendy was relatively restrained; Yulia was gobbling down food, her mouth stuffed full. Seeing Winnie come out so quickly, she choked and started pounding her chest. Wendy was the first to ask, "How did it end so quickly?" "I want to meet someone," Winnie's tone was casual. "He doesn't give me much time." "Oh? David?" Winnie took out the watch and said, "Him." Wendy didn't understand, but Yulia, choking and coughing, still insisted, "Don't be impulsive." But Winnie had already dialed the phone number. In the few seconds waiting for the call to connect, her heart was pounding until she heard Van say, "Hello." "Have you left?" Winnie asked. Van was in the back seat of a Maybach, having just closed his eyes for less than three minutes of rest. "Yeah." He lowered his eyes again, his voice sounding calm yet unreadable due to his meditation. "Just left." Winnie held the phone with both hands, lowering her voice, "I want to see you." There was silence on the other end of the line for nearly twenty seconds. Van slowly opened his eyes; outside the car windows, the scenery was retreating as they were about to leave the area. He quietly covered the phone's microphone with one hand, calling out, "Eric." Eric had already switched to a lane where he could make a U-turn and briefly responded, "Four minutes." Van then calmly replied to Winnie, "In three minutes, basement level two, Elevator Hall A." Winnie hung up the phone, commanding Wendy, "Switch clothes with me, or we might get photographed coming out." Yulia ran over in small, quick steps to lock the lounge door from the inside. She was inexplicably infected by Winnie's urgent, prepared mood. While pulling down the hidden zipper of her top, Winnie said, "From now on, you have three minutes to talk me out of it." Yulia knew she was talking to her, swallowed to settle her stomach, took a deep breath, and said rapidly, "You shouldn't make decisions this fast, I take twenty-four hours to decide on a thousand-dollar purchase. From last night until now, it's been only nineteen hours. Mr. Marlowe can't possibly not give you twenty-four hours." "I'm afraid he'll calm down first." Winnie stripped off her top and took the white shirt Wendy handed her. Yulia, "What?!" But Winnie had already put on the shirt, buttoning it up with her head down, her face showing little emotion, "My skirt." "I, I, I," Yulia was at a loss for words for a moment, then shouted out in desperation, "I'm afraid you'll fall for him!" She was pleased to see Winnie's actions pause, but it was only for a very brief moment. Winnie kept her head down, but one corner of her lips curled up, "A billion dollars, it wouldn't be a loss no matter how deep I get. Besides, he has a little problem; I think I won't fall for him." Wendy had been listening quietly for so long, seizing the moment to ask calmly, "Are you guys talking about Van?" "Yeah," Winnie didn't avoid the topic, "You know him well. Does he have any flaws?" Wendy was a smart person, connecting the dots from the conversation and Van's uninvited visit last night; she had a vague outline of the situation. After thinking, she looked at Winnie, half-jokingly, half-seriously saying, "He has no flaws, except he's a bit hard to read, especially these past two years." Winnie nodded, then put on Wendy's knee-length pencil skirt. "Same as him. I'm pretty good at acting too." Both Yulia and Wendy thought to themselves, "Yeah, right." "I should go," Winnie said.