Three days later.
Bach Hotel, Summer City.
Eleanor stood on the balcony of her room, allowing the faint night breeze to play with her long hair. She held a glass of red wine but didn't drink from it, simply gazing quietly into the distance.
Three days had passed since her mother's call summoning her back. During this time, Eleanor had been tirelessly wrapping up affairs at her studio, buying herself as much time as possible. She knew that once she returned to the Sullivan family, she wouldn't just be attending her sister's wedding; she would be facing a web of unknown schemes.
Seven years ago, defying her family's objections, she had resolutely chosen to study abroad, pursuing fashion design. She wanted to break free from the Sullivan family's restraints and chase her own dreams. These seven years in Summer City, fueled by countless efforts and sweat, had finally seen her become the celebrated designer "Y."
"Y" was her pride and her camouflage. Behind the mask, she could create freely, unleash her talent without worrying about interference from anyone. But she also knew that "Y" couldn't protect her forever.
"Elle, the flight is booked for tomorrow afternoon," Skyler said, walking over and handing the booked ticket to Eleanor. A trace of concern unconsciously showed on her face; she knew Eleanor didn't truly want to go back.
Eleanor looked at the ticket in her hand, a flash of helplessness in her eyes. "I know. Thanks."
"Elle, maybe I should come back with you?" Skyler hesitated, then made the suggestion. She knew Eleanor would be isolated and without support in the Sullivan household; she wanted to be there for her.
Eleanor shook her head, gently patting Skyler's hand. "No need. I can handle it myself. You stay here and manage the studio for me. I'm entrusting it to you while I'm away."
"But..." Skyler wanted to say more, but Eleanor cut her off.
"Alright, Sky, stop worrying about me. I'll take care of myself," Eleanor said with a smile, her tone light, as if nothing could truly defeat or scare her.
Seeing Eleanor's smile, Skyler knew her mind was made up. She said nothing more, only nodding silently.
"Oh, and Sky," Eleanor suddenly remembered, "help me look into the Griffin Group's movements. Make sure they don't find out."
"The Griffin Group? What about them?" Skyler was a little confused.
"Nothing specific. I just feel that Lucien Griffin is... not a simple man. His appearance at my show was far more than a coincidence." Eleanor's eyes were full of wariness.
Skyler nodded. "Understood, I'll look into it. By the way, someone has been investigating your identity lately."
Eleanor was puzzled. "Who? Can you trace them?"
Skyler shook her head. "Their skills are on par with mine."
Eleanor looked into the distance again, her gaze becoming deep and resolute. No matter what schemes the Sullivan family had, no matter what Lucien Griffin's intentions were, she would not back down. She would use her own strength to protect her dreams and her freedom.
Griffin Group, Summer City Branch.
Lucien Griffin stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the city's nightscape. In his hand was an investigative report on "Y." The report detailed Y's design philosophy, her body of work, her status and influence in the business world, even analyzing the inspiration behind each of her seasonal collections. Yet, throughout the entire report, details about Y's true identity were scarce, so brief it was as if she had appeared out of thin air, with no past to speak of.
Lucien frowned slightly as he looked at the report in his hand, a trace of amusement in his deep eyes.
"Lucien, are you really going through with the marriage alliance with the Sullivan family?" Ethan Shaw stood behind Lucien, his tone worried. He knew how much Lucien despised arranged marriages.
Lucien turned, his gaze cold as it landed on Ethan. "Alliance? Who said I agreed to an alliance?"
Ethan was taken aback, not quite understanding Lucien's meaning. "But, your grandfather..."
"I'll handle my grandfather," Lucien interrupted Ethan, his tone firm and decisive.
"Then why are you so fixated on investigating this 'Y' designer?" Ethan asked, somewhat helplessly. Ethan was a skilled hacker. Whenever Lucien needed information, Ethan was the one he called. But this time, even after mobilizing all his networks, he still couldn't uncover Y's identity.
A meaningful smile tugged at the corner of Lucien's mouth. He placed the report on the desk with a soft 'thud'. "This report is... interesting."
Ethan was baffled. "What's interesting about it? I've turned every stone and still can't find her identity."
Lucien walked to the desk, picked up the report again, and pointed to a specific page. "A designer who can erase her identity so perfectly, leaving not a single trace... do you think that's normal?"
Ethan paused. He knew Lucien's powers of observation were exceptionally sharp. "You mean this designer has someone powerful behind her?"
Lucien nodded. "Perhaps. But what interests me more is why she's hiding her identity."
He walked to the window, looking up at the Summer City sky, his eyes filled with probing curiosity. "Fascinating."
Ethan's brow furrowed. "Lucien, you're not actually interested in her, are you?" He knew Lucien had never shown much interest in women. Could he be developing feelings this time?
Lucien didn't answer. He just picked up the glass from the table, gently swirling it. He didn't know what he felt for "Y" exactly, only that she possessed a unique allure that made him irresistibly want to get closer to her.
"Anyway, keep an eye on her. I want to know everything about 'Y'," Lucien instructed Ethan.
"Okay." Ethan nodded and turned to leave the office. He walked to his computer, staring at the dense lines of code on the screen, his heart full of doubt. He had tried his best, but he still couldn't find any information on "Y." It was as if a mysterious force was blocking him.
Lucien gazed out the window again. He knew that upon returning, he would face an arranged marriage he had no desire for. But he also knew he might encounter the mysterious "Y" there. He had a faint premonition that this encounter would completely alter the course of his life.
Lucien's mind kept conjuring the image of "Y" in her mask, and those profound, captivating eyes. He looked forward to the day he would unveil her mask.
The Capital.
Preparations for a grand wedding were underway. The Sullivan family, a respectable name in the Capital's business circles, had seen the news of their daughter's marriage alliance with the heir of the Griffin family spread throughout the city. All the society daughters were without exception envious of this Miss Sullivan.
Cecilia Sullivan's Room.
Cecilia looked at her exquisitely made-up face in the mirror but couldn't summon a single trace of a smile. In truth, she didn't want to be a sacrificial lamb for the family, and she certainly didn't want to marry the so-called 'Heir of the Griffin Empire,' Lucien Griffin. Rumors said he was indifferent to women, cold-natured, and treated everyone with an icy detachment. It didn't take much imagination to know how dull life would be married to him.
She glanced at the time on her phone: 22:55 PM. It was almost the appointed time. Just then, Cecilia's phone lit up, the screen clearly displaying the word "Darling."
"Cilia, I'm here," a young man's anxious voice came from the other end of the line.
"Aaron, I..." Cecilia hesitated.
"What's wrong?" the young man asked with concern.
"Nothing. Wait for me." Cecilia's eyes suddenly filled with determination.
Cecilia left a letter for her parents, stating that she did not want to marry Lucien Griffin and that she had a true love—Aaron Lowe.
The Next Day.
The Sullivan Residence.
"Cilia, are you up? We have to go for your wedding dress fitting today." Patricia Sullivan's concerned inquiry was met with prolonged silence, making her increasingly anxious.
"Cilia?" Patricia called again. No response. "Nanny Wilkins, bring me Cecilia's room key."
"Madam." Nanny Wilkins respectfully brought the key.
Patricia's hand trembled uncontrollably, a bad feeling growing. "Cilia, Mommy coming in."
The room was empty. Patricia grew more frantic, calling out again unconsciously, "Cilia, where are you?"
As Patricia stood frozen, Nanny Wilkins's sharp eyes noticed a piece of paper prominently placed on the desk. "Madam, there's a letter here."
Patricia hurried over, took the letter, and tears immediately welled in her eyes as she read. "How could this..."
"What's all this noise so early in the morning! Have you no sense of propriety! Causing such a scene when she's about to marry into the Griffin family!" Harold Sullivan emerged from his study, deeply annoyed by Patricia's early morning commotion.
"Sir, the Young Miss, she..." Nanny Wilkins spoke cautiously.
"What about Cecilia?" Harold panicked upon hearing Cecilia's name mentioned.
"Cilia... she's run away," Patricia said through sobs, her words unclear.
Harold was stunned. After a moment, he recovered. "When is Eleanor returning?"
"I think it's in the next day or two," Patricia replied after a dazed moment. "Why are you asking about her? Cilia is missing! Shouldn't finding her be the priority?"
"No. The immediate priority is to placate the Griffin family. We must send Eleanor in her place," Harold said flatly.
"No! I went through so much trouble to secure this alliance for Cecilia! How can we let that girl benefit now!" Patricia suddenly cried out.
Harold ignored her protests. "The alliance with the Griffin family is extremely important to the Sullivans. We cannot let Cecilia's recklessness ruin it. We have no choice but to send Eleanor. First, arrange to postpone today's dress fitting. From here on out, we can only take one step at a time. Get Eleanor back as soon as possible. And she must not find out about this beforehand!"
Patricia looked at the letter in her hand and nodded meekly. "Then... what about Cilia? Aren't we going to send people to look for her?"
"If we send people to search now, the Griffins might grow suspicious. We'll send Eleanor first. Once things have settled down, we can find Cecilia and bring her back," Harold stated coolly.