h4Chapter 187: Chapter 187/h4

    At that moment, the usher who hade to escort Cora didn’t even need to say a word. The elegance of the chair she was being led to spoke volumes all on its own. It was stationed right at the very front front and center where the most powerful and important guests sat. The chair itself was a statement piece, upholstered in royal cream velvet, polished gold trimmings framing the backrest, and a subtle emblem of Everything Luxury carved into its wooden arms. It wasn’t just a seat it was a throne. And the fact that Cora was the one settling into it made the entire hall shift in atmosphere.

    The whispers began almost immediately.

    "She’s sitting there?"

    "That’s the seat reserved for the Diamond Card guest."

    "Wait... she’s really the one?"

    Cora didn’t need to speak. The way she walked in, her poise, the quiet confidence in her face, the way her gown cascaded like emerald water with every step, all of it said she didn’t just belong there... she owned the ce. As she gracefully sat down, her legs crossed, back straight, chin slightly lifted, she gently ced her invitation card on the small table beside her ss of champagne Diamond shimmering boldly on its surface.

    Meanwhile, just a few rows back, Abigail and Victoria were still frozen in disbelief.

    Victoria’s face was stiff, her lips pressed into a tight line. Her brows twitched ever so slightly, betraying the storm brewing inside her.

    "This can’t be," she muttered under her breath. "This... this is the girl we’repeting with?"

    Abigail’s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. She clutched her clutch bag so hard the small golden sp trembled slightly.

    "She must be bluffing," Abigail said with forced calm. "This whole thing... there’s no way she earned that card. No way she earned that seat. We need to find out what strings she pulled. Because I swear, if this girl truly has backing from Everything Luxury... then we’re in serious trouble."

    They both knew the truth, even if they didn’t want to admit it: Cora hadn’t just arrived, she had dominated the entire room the moment she stepped in. Her very presence had already shifted the power dynamics.

    Before either woman could recover from the shock, a calm voice from the speakers echoed across the room.

    "Ladies and gentlemen," the voice announced, "we wee you all to the Everything Luxury Annual Prestige G. We are deeply honored by your presence tonight. Every guest seated here was chosen carefully, but a special wee goes to those holding our limited-tier invitation cards. Your presence here speaks volumes of your influence, power, and contribution to the elegance this city thrives on."

    Then she gave a short pause. A nce. A subtle spotlight traced over to where Cora sat.

    Abigail and Victoria both stiffened.

    The voice continued, "And now that all our distinguished guests are present, the evening’s celebration shall begin."

    Immediately the ps that followed were loud, polite, and cheerful, but Victoria and Abigail didn’t move. Their eyes remained glued to the woman who had just stolen the show.

    At that moment, the announcement continued, and the room quickly fell silent again, all ears leaning in to hear what EverythingLuxury had to say next.

    Again the speaker’s voice echoed elegantly across the venue, smooth and authoritative,manding attention and respect.

    "Ladies and gentlemen," the voice began again, "as a token of appreciation to each and every one of you present today, and as part of our promise to keep luxury rare, exclusive, and truly memorable Everything Luxury has taken a bold step."

    Again more murmurs rippled across the audience.

    "We have designed and prepared an exclusive line of couture clothing pieces each one limited to just one piece in the entire world. That means, if you acquire any of these pieces today, you alone will be the only owner of that design. It will never be reproduced again."

    Immediately gasps swept through the audience. People exchanged looks, stunned by the rarity of such an offer.

    The voice continued, "Some of these unique outfits will be avable for direct purchase. But there are also top-tier, high-value pieces that will only be avable through a private bidding sessionter this evening. We expect these pieces to attract not only the eyes but the hearts of all fashion lovers in this room."

    The lights dimmed for a moment, and the center screen shed dazzling glimpses of the unreleased designs luxurious, regal, breathtaking.

    "Furthermore," the voice added, "a few surprise designs will be gifted for free to select guests as a symbol of our gratitude and continued partnership. These gifts are not just clothing they are legacy pieces."

    Immediately Excitement buzzed through the crowd. Eyes darted from one side of the room to the other, trying to guess who might be honored with a free luxury gift. Some looked hopeful. Others, quietly jealous.

    Then came the final note.

    "Everything Luxury values each of you here tonight. You’ve all yed a role in shaping the brand we are today whether as investors, ambassadors, icons, creators, or coborators. This is our way of celebrating you. Let tonight mark the beginning of a new era in exclusivity."

    As the crowd erupted in apuse, Abigail clenched her fists lightly under the table. Victoria’s jaw was still set tight, and her eyes didn’t move from Cora for even a second. The enemy they underestimated had just been seated in the front row.

    At that moment, with the slow and deliberate swipe of her finger across the control pad, the entire atmosphere in the hall shifted. The enormous television screen positioned at the very front of the room suddenly opened with a soft hum, its glossy surface splitting into two as light filled the screen. Immediately the guests leaned forward in anticipation, curious as to what new spectacle EverythingLuxury had in store for them.

    On one side of the screen, a morous disy of fifteen exclusive dresses appeared. Each of them was breathtakingly unique crafted with details so precise that even through the screen, one could almost feel the artistry. The colors, the designs, the textures all whispered of wealth and power. Murmurs rose across the hall as the women admired the pieces, already calcting in their minds which dress they would aim for, and how much they would be willing to bid.

    Then, on the other side of the screen, only one dress stood alone. Unlike the collection of fifteen, this one carried an aura of mystery and supremacy. Its solitary presencemanded the attention of the room, as though it were not merely a garment but a symbol a crown jewel among treasures.

    The announcer’s voice, calm yet rich with authority, continued: "Ladies and gentlemen, the fifteen exclusive dresses you see on the left will be open for bidding. Every guest here is free to participate and own a piece of this once-in-a-lifetime collection. However, the dress on the right... is different. That single, solitary masterpiece is reserved only for the Gold Card holders and the Diamond Card holder present among us tonight. Only they maypete for it."