Agela had always carried herself on a level far above Emma, Alice, and Tanya.
Even now—despite the unease and regret slowly rising in her heart—she still managed to suppress it.
She deliberately maintained a pleasant attitude toward Victor, carefully controlling her demands. She didn't insist on the lynx fur coat.
She knew very well that asking for a coat worth over two million dollars would most likely make Victor dump her on the spot. There was no way he would be willing to spend that kind of money on a single piece of clothing.
In the end, she only bought a mink coat priced a little over twenty thousand.
Based on her calculation, combined with the other shopping expenses of the day, this was already approaching the absolute limit of what Victor was willing to tolerate.
Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Agela accompanied Victor to the model competition venue.
In truth, most of the models had already arrived and begun preparations. Agela herself hadn't taken the competition too seriously, which was why she showed up relatively late.
A World of Connections
As soon as they entered the venue, they noticed many influential figures.
Victor's eyes lit up immediately.
Opportunities like this were rare. He seized the chance to expand his social circle, pulling Agela along to greet people one by one.
At this moment, Victor was clearly leveraging Agela's beauty.
Having a stunning woman by his side made small talk smoother and dramatically increased his success rate.
Agela understood exactly what he was doing.
Still, she cooperated obediently.
After all, Victor was spending money on her—she couldn't afford to appear ungrateful.
Just as they were chatting animatedly, a sudden stir rippled through the entrance.
The noise spread quickly, like a wave.
Agela turned her head—
And froze.
Jason walked in.
Beside him were Grace, Olivia, and two bodyguards.
Grace had already unpacked and changed into a full set of high-end designer clothing. From head to toe, she radiated dignity, elegance, and quiet nobility.
Everyone present was from the fashion industry—people who knew brands, tailoring, and status at a glance.
Grace instantly became a focal point.
But even more eye-catching—
Was Jason himself.
Lweis was the first to react. He immediately stood up and hurried forward.
"Mr. Carter," he said enthusiastically,"you finally made it."
That single sentence was like a signal.
One by one, several major bosses stepped forward to greet Jason.
Some reacted a bit slower—but seeing everyone else rush over, they quickly followed.
In just moments, all the powerful figures Victor had been desperately flattering earlier…
Were now gathered around Jason Carter.
An Overwhelming Difference
What stunned Agela even more—
Was Grace's position.
Standing beside Jason, Grace didn't need to lower herself, didn't need to actively socialize, didn't need to flatter anyone.
Yet every boss who approached Jason was still polite to her.
In contrast—
Agela had to smile, toast, and carefully maintain conversation just to stay relevant.
And then—
The CEO arrived.
He was only slightly slower than Lweis.
He stepped directly in front of Jason, bowed slightly, and spoke with unmistakable respect.
At that moment—
The difference between Victor and Jason Carter became painfully obvious.
It wasn't a matter of degree.
It was a matter of dimension.
Agela's mind spun.
What's going on?
Wasn't Jason supposed to be on the verge of bankruptcy?
Why are these people still treating him like royalty?
Do they not know… or is it that he was never bankrupt at all?
Her heart sank.
If Jason wasn't actually bankrupt—
Then Victor wasn't merely inferior.
He wasn't even comparable.
They weren't playing the same game.
If that were the case…
Then when Victor had once pursued her persistently, she never would have ignored him.
She would have chosen Jason without hesitation—even knowing he already had many beautiful women around him.
She had finally seized a rare chance to get close to Jason at the annual event—
Only for it to be ruined by false bankruptcy rumors.
Agela felt panic rising.
She refused to accept it.
This must be a last struggle, she told herself.Maybe this is just the final glow before collapse.
Beside her, Victor frowned.
He didn't recognize Jason at all—his social circle simply wasn't high enough.
Unable to hold back, he leaned toward Agela and whispered:
"…Who exactly is this Mr. Carter?"
Agela didn't answer immediately.
Because deep down—
She was afraid of the answer herself.
"Didn't I already tell you?" Agela replied absentmindedly, forcing herself to sound calm."He's the other major shareholder of New Vision Media."
After arranging for Victor to sit in a front-row seat, she headed backstage, her heart restless and unsettled.
Once Victor sat down, his attention never left the front of the venue.
Very soon, he noticed something that made his breath hitch.
Jasonwas seated directly in front of the runway.
Victor's pupils shrank.
That seat…That had always belonged to Mr. Cloud, the owner.
In the fashion world, that position symbolized absolute authority. No one—not investors, not celebrities, not sponsors—could casually take it.
Yet now—
Jason Carter was sitting there.
And seated beside him was the General Manager of Group, accompanying him respectfully.
Victor couldn't hold back his curiosity anymore. He discreetly messaged a few industry contacts.
It didn't take long before someone sent him the answer.
As Victor skimmed through Jason's basic profile, his scalp went numb.
He inhaled sharply.
So that's who he is…
Almost instantly, Victor began planning how to find a chance to approach Jason later.
Backstage, a streamer under New Vision Media who was also participating in the competition, noticed Agela enter and asked casually:
"Didn't Grace come? Isn't she also a model?"
Agela replied distractedly,"She came. She's in the audience."
She came with Jason?He's about to go bankrupt, and she's still sticking with him?
For a moment, she felt a trace of contempt.
That woman is really devoted, she thought——or, putting it less kindly, she doesn't know how to read the situation.
Compared to that, Agela seemed far more clear-headed. As soon as she heard the bankruptcy rumors, she had decisively distanced herself and latched onto a higher-level benefactor.
Of course, Jason Carter was still technically a boss.
She didn't dare voice those thoughts and kept them to herself.
They quickly changed outfits, adjusted their expressions, and prepared to step onto the runway at any moment.
Before long, the competition officially began.
A Shaken Catwalk
Soon, it was Agela's turn.
She stepped onto the runway with a practiced, elegant catwalk, posture straight, expression confident.
But as she approached the end of the T-stage—
She saw Jason Carter sitting directly in front of her.
Her body swayed almost imperceptibly.
Shock flashed through her eyes.
That seat…
Wasn't that always Mr. Cloud's position?
In the modeling world, no one could challenge his seniority or status. And yet—
Jason was sitting there now.
And beside him, Grace sat calmly, benefiting from his presence, looking dignified and noble—like a young lady from an old wealthy family.
Agela's mind went into chaos.
Her steps became slightly disordered.
She forced herself to regain control, striking poses with effort rather than ease.
When she turned to walk back, her catwalk was still passable—but the confidence she had at the start was gone.
Another Mind in Turmoil
A few models later, it was the models turn.
When she reached the center of the runway and saw Jason Carter, she was also stunned.
Her first reaction was disbelief.
How could he be sitting there?
As she drew closer, reality left her no room to deny it.
Her heart instantly fell into turmoil as well.
Questions With No Answers
Backstage again, she rushed over to Agela, her voice low but urgent.
"What's going on?" she whispered."Why is Mr. Carter sitting directly in front of the runway?"
"That's the most prestigious seat in the entire venue—it's always been Mr. Cloud's. In this industry, who could possibly shake him?"
"And if I'm not mistaken," she continued excitedly,"Grace is wearing lynx fur, right?"
"She's sitting in the most distinguished seat in the entire venue, like she's watching our competition from above."
Agela was already overwhelmed, her thoughts in complete disarray.
She snapped impatiently,"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"
"I don't know either."
But deep down—
She was starting to realize something she desperately didn't want to admit.
The rumors were wrong.
And the price she paid for believing themmight be far greater than she could bear.
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