Agela's face was deathly pale. She clutched her chest, feeling a tight, suffocating pressure, and it took her a long while before she could steady her breathing.
Zara had been feeling deep regret as well—but the moment she saw Agela's expression, her own mood inexplicably improved.
After all, she had already missed her chance back at the annual gala. That loss, painful as it was, felt… bearable.
Agela, on the other hand, was different.
She had clearly seized the opportunity. She had already become Jason Carter's woman—
And yet, because of a piece of fake news, she had voluntarily walked away.
It was like winning the lottery—
And then throwing the winning ticket into the trash.
Just then, Jin walked into the backstage area.
His first instinct wasn't to look for Agela, nor to admire the beautiful models around him.
Instead, his eyes went straight to Jason.
He clearly wanted to approach him and strike up a conversation.
Unfortunately, Jason was completely surrounded by models, agents, and executives. Jin couldn't even get close.
Only then did he notice Agela nearby.
With a sigh of emotion, he said,"So that's the famous Mr. Carter."
"why didn't you tell me earlier? If I could've built a connection with someone like him, that would've been incredible."
Agela forced a smile.
"Someone said before that Mr. Carter was about to go bankrupt," she replied carefully."I was afraid you'd overthink it."
Jin laughed outright.
"Bankrupt?" he scoffed."With Mr. Carter's level of wealth? That's impossible."
"Ordinary rich people go bankrupt. For someone like him, at worst it's just asset restructuring."
"Even if one subsidiary collapses, it wouldn't matter at all—not even a scratch."
"It'd be like a billionaire getting a paper cut."
He continued, increasingly confident.
"Besides, anyone who pays attention knows Bay Project is progressing smoothly."
"That's one of Harbor City's key development projects—basically tied directly to the mayor's office."
"Anyone in Harbor City could go bankrupt… but Jason Carter absolutely cannot."
"And even if we stretch it ten thousand steps further—let's say a family like his did collapse."
"Anything hidden away in the corners would still be worth hundreds of millions."
"Anyone who believes those rumors is an idiot."
Agela's face flushed crimson.
The speaker hadn't meant anything personal—
But the listener felt every word hit home.
Wasn't he basically calling her an idiot?
Zara also felt uncomfortable hearing that, but when she glanced at Agela's expression, she felt a bit better.
At least someone else was suffering more.
Before long, Jason prepared to leave the backstage area.
The female models finally dispersed, and Jin seized the chance to step forward respectfully.
Jason smiled politely and didn't make things awkward.
He had already cut ties with Agela. Jin likely knew nothing about their past, so whatever happened between them now was none of Jason's concern.
Agela, however, kept her head lowered, her gaze shifting uneasily, wishing she could dig a hole in the ground and disappear.
After exchanging pleasantries, Jason even extended an invitation.
"There's a gathering tonight," he said casually."If you're free, feel free to join us."
"Yes—yes, thank you, Mr. Carter!" Jin replied eagerly, bowing slightly, clearly flattered.
Agela watched silently.
She looked at Grace, who was holding Jason's arm—elegant, composed, treated with respect by everyone around her.
Then she looked at herself—
Standing beside Jin, forced to smile and bow, currying favor like before.
Her expression grew even uglier.
She could have been standing on Jason's other side.
Wearing a two-million-dollar sable coat.Being envied by other models.Respected by everyone in the room.
But now—
She was back where she started.
The class that had to flatter the truly rich and powerful.
Jason left.
Jin watched Jason's retreating figure, his face still full of excitement over having spoken with him.
Agela, meanwhile, felt dazed.
A part of her still refused to believe that everything she had just witnessed was real.
That evening, the banquet hall of a nearby high-end Italian-style private club was packed.
The atmosphere was lively, dazzling, and extravagant.
This was a joint gathering hosted by major figures from the modeling industry, luxury brands, and advertising companies.
Originally, one of the most important hosts was Mr. Cloud—
But tonight, that role had naturally been taken over by Jason Carter.
The moment Jason arrived, he became the absolute center of attention.
Guests from all directions stepped forward to greet him respectfully.
Of course, there were still a few people who didn't recognize him.
"Who's that handsome guy?" someone whispered."What a presence."
"You don't know?" another replied in a low voice."He acquired Starlight Fashion Group."
"He's the real authority in the modeling industry now."
"My god… acquiring Starlight Fashion must've cost at least five hundred million, right?"
And as the whispers spread—
So did Jason Carter's name.
"He's so young… and already this rich?"
"I heard he's a top-tier heir from Harbor City. His background is terrifying."
At the most prestigious table in the banquet hall sat Jason Carter, alongside executives from Starlight Fashion Group, representatives of luxury brands, major advertisers, and several particularly striking models who were already signed under Starlight Fashion.
Lewis also benefited from Jason's presence and was seated there as well.
As for the rest—small-time bosses, minor partners, junior models, and staff—they could only sit at ordinary tables.
Among them were Jin, Agela, and Zara.
Watching Grace sit beside Jason, elegant and radiant, basking in respect and admiration from all sides, Agela felt bitterness seep deeper into her chest.
At the head table, a glass was raised.
"Mr. Carter, I'd like to propose a toast to you."
The model Wendy had successfully secured the seat to Jason's left. She lifted her wine glass gracefully, her voice soft and smooth, her body leaning in slightly—so supple it seemed almost boneless.
She was young, but her mature allure was undeniable.
Jason smiled faintly and raised his glass.
"I remember you," he said casually. "Your name is Wendy, right?"
Wendy's eyes lit up in surprise.
"Yes, Mr. Carter! You have such a good memory."
Jason chuckled."It's not that my memory is good. It's just that you're exceptionally outstanding."
"Oh, Mr. Carter, you flatter me," Wendy said coyly.
She leaned in a little closer, her fair face tinged with pink, looking soft enough to melt.
Wendy: Affection +5
"Hahaha! Wendy, you're lucky Mr. Carter thinks so highly of you!"
Several bosses laughed loudly, deliberately pushing the atmosphere along.
"At a gathering like this, you must make sure Mr. Carter enjoys himself tonight!"
This kind of banquet was never just about food and drinks.
It was a marketplace of money and beauty.
Many bosses attended specifically for the models.
Wendy was undeniably attractive, and under normal circumstances, plenty of people would have set their sights on her.
But now?
Seeing her sitting beside Jason, no one dared to harbor such thoughts anymore.
Jason had acquired Starlight Fashion Group, effectively replacing Cloud.
Who would dare to compete with him for a model?
Even if someone technically could, why would they?
There were dozens of models present—why offend a man like Jason over just one?
The other female models felt secretly annoyed watching Wendy take the prime seat, cursing themselves for being a step too slow.
As for the seat to Jason's right—
No one even dared to think about it.
That place belonged to Grace, who had arrived with him.
Still, not being able to sit next to Jason didn't stop the others from approaching.
Paige, Luna, and even the aloof Snow came forward to toast him one after another.
Whatever Jason casually suggested, they drank without hesitation.
As the alcohol flowed, the atmosphere gradually loosened.
Some of the bosses began putting their arms around the models beside them.
A few models were very open—not only refusing to resist, but actively leaning in.
Luna, for example, wrapped an arm around a boss next to her, laughing brightly.
Some models were clearly reluctant, yet afraid of offending anyone. They could only dodge awkwardly while trying to placate politely—like Paige, who was visibly inexperienced in handling such situations.
Others kept their distance entirely.
Snow sat squarely among several models, deliberately avoiding the surrounding bosses. A few men called her over more than once, but she remained unmoved.
Watching the scene grow increasingly unrestrained, Jason finally lifted his hand.
"Let me say something."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly.
"We're all adults here. As long as everything is consensual, you can enjoy yourselves."
"But if someone is unwilling," he said calmly,"you are not allowed to force them."
"You're all successful people. You should have at least this much decorum."
The table fell momentarily quiet.
Many of the bosses were surprised by Jason's words.
But most of them quickly reacted, smiling apologetically as they withdrew their hands.
Even the pouring of drinks became more restrained.
Two representatives from luxury brands frowned slightly, displeased—but they still pulled back, giving Jason face.
Paige and Snow both looked at Jason in surprise.
Then gratitude followed.
They hadn't expected this new boss—not only powerful, but also willing to protect them.
Paige: Affection +10Snow: Affection +20
Not far away, Olivia watched the scene quietly, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
Olivia: Affection +5
At that moment, everyone at the banquet understood something clearly—
This new ruler of the modeling world wasn't just rich.
He had principles.
And that made him far more dangerous.
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