Aveline restrained herself from looking toward Giselle, who seemed strategic in every move she made and every word she uttered.
What is Giselle after?
Was it her divorce case?
But Giselle was a corporate and criminal lawyer.
What kind of corporate and criminal case could Aveline offer to Giselle?
Aveline truly wanted to unravel Giselle's actions. But she will take time for that.
She proceeded forward and stood in front of a tall, handsomely aged man. He was accompanied by an elegant woman who harmlessly smiled meeting Aveline's gaze.
"Chairman Lancaster, Chairwoman De-conti!" Aveline greeted, continuing without waiting for Mike to introduce her, "I'm Aveline Laurent. Manager from Laurent Industries."
The couple were quick to catch what she didn't say.
"The daughter of Henry Laurent," came the deep voice of Edward Lancaster.
His wife, Isabella De-conti, smiled again, "Mrs. Laurent was right. You are gorgeous, Ms. Laurent."
Edward and Henry were only acquaintances due to their interest in golf. On the other hand, Isabella hosted occasional socialite parties at Obsidian that Margaret often attended.
Aveline flashed a subtle smile in response to their words and spoke, "As a manager of the Modernization and Innovation taskforce, I was naturally interested to learn the future of safety and security. Thus, my father chose me to attend. Thank you for the invite, Chairman Lancaster."
Her words, precise and poised, her tone well measured.
The couple glanced at each other. Aveline wasn't trying to familiarise herself with them or flatter them to get on their good books. She was the first one to state the reason behind her presence when the invitation had been addressed to her father.
Edward responded, "Smart choice by Chairman Laurent. Young blood is the future."
Isabella continued after him, "It's a pleasure to have you, Ms. Laurent. Enjoy the event."
The Lancaster couple were cordial hosts to their guests.
Aveline gently nodded, meeting their gaze. Her father's tasks were done. Now, it was time to watch and play with her husband's game.
She had just turned around to find herself a table when she nearly gasped, facing the man, Alaric Lancaster's assistant.
"My apologies, Ms. Laurent. Do you have a minute?" Ezra asked her respectfully.
Behind Aveline, Edward and Isbaella couldn't help but exchange glances. They had noticed Giselle greeting Aveline, and now, their son's assistant.
They were intrigued by the young lady who had managed to grab the attention of their aloof son and tough daughter.
As Aveline followed Ezra aside, Isabella signalled her assistant and whispered, "Aveline Laurent." Her assistant understood the assignment to gather details on the lady.
However, Giselle stopped the assistant before he could make the call. She stepped in front of her father and stepmother, "I don't think it's a good idea, Mom." She tilted her head towards the back door of the event hall.
Curious, Isabella and Edward glanced towards the back door to learn why they shouldn't learn more about Aveline. They caught sight of Alaric, standing and intently watching… Aveline.
The two were quick to understand. Their son was interested in Aveline Laurent.
Edward was the first to act, "Don't pry into them." He told Isbella's assistant firmly.
Whereas the assistant looked to Isabella instead, awaiting her nod.
Thus Edward requested his wife, "Bella, please…"
Isabella's expression turned complex due to various reasons, but she didn't give in to her husband.
Giselle chuckled quietly at their dynamics. When Isabella married her father and gave birth to Alaric, she used to believe Alaric would have everything easy, and she and her brother would be cornered. But Isabella did the exact opposite.
Giselle had lost count of how many times Isabella broke Alaric's heart.
And how could their father just watch it and do nothing about it?
Since Edward wouldn't go against his wife, Giselle chose to be an evil one this time.
"I won't be quiet, Mom. Not this time." She was unyielding, "I will pluck everyone out if I have to." She swore to her stepmother and walked away without meeting her father's gaze.
Edward wasn't pleased with his daughter's tone, but he was quietly proud of her protectiveness toward Alaric.
He looked at Isabella and warned her, "We will lose him, Bella and I will hold you responsible if it happens." He stepped away, trying to cool down first.
Clutching her champagne flute a little tighter, Isabella turned her gaze back towards Aveline, who subtly smiled, then she removed her overcoat and handed it to her assistant. She glided towards the large cart filled with flowers and trays as her eyes sparkling like thousands of stars had gathered there.
She glanced at Giselle, who was determined to protect her stepbrother.
Isabella could only hope that she wasn't making the wrong choice by stepping out of Alaric's life and giving him the space to build one of his own.
"He will handle it." She said under her breath.
Her assistant bowed his head, accepting the command.
…
Unaware that she was causing changes in other's lives, Aveline admired the rare dusty blush-colored Orchids among many flowers.
Ezra had requested her help with the presentation of their security software. They needed a delicate, dimensional demonstration piece, and flowers were the perfect object.
It surprisingly aligned with her plan.
To let the business circle know that Aveline Laurent exists.
Then she would see if Damien would flee, approach her, or continue pretending they didn't know each other.
At the very least, he couldn't claim that he didn't notice her when she was on the stage.
Unbothered by the curious gazes of the hall, Aveline went through the stack of trays and vases. Unsatisfied with the options, her eyes locked onto a simple red wine glass. She lifted her hand just enough for the waiter's attention and elegantly cued him to reach her.
As the waiter approached, she envisioned the arrangement - ikebana inspired. Graceful, minimal, and dimensional.
When the waiter reached her, she poured the wine into another glass. The clear wine glass that wouldn't steal attention and let the flower speak.
She poured the wine into another glass, grabbed the soaked floral foam, and carefully stuffed the glass as she kept away the remaining foam. Her eyes brushed over the dark background and picked pale blush tulips to add dynamic flow and the rare pale blush orchids for structure.
Using the tools provided, she snipped the stems and positioned them. The process was quick and quiet, the hall was quieter.
She admired her art as she wiped her hands with a wet towel, followed by a dry one as a help passed it to her. All the while she didn't realize no one was speaking and watching her in trance.
Her grace, her smile, the gentle sparkle in her eyes and the fluid movements of her hands. All of it mesmerised the guests more than the flowers did.
'Claps.'
Aveline snapped out of her trance when she heard a sudden applause. Then the crowd broke into a round of applause.
Behind the barely open door, Alaric didn't clap. But his gaze never left her. Not even once.
Aveline had learnt that art was expensive and wealthy people admired it, even if they didn't understand it.
A voice ran out from the speaker, breaking through the dying applause, "Thank you, Ms. Aveline Laurent."
She nodded her head as an acknowledgement to the crowd and spotted her.
Vivienne Sinclair!
Eyes wide, fury burning across her face at the sight of Aveline in the limelight.
Aveline turned towards the stairs, her lips curling into a sly, knowing smirk.
Who will Damien pick?
Vivienne Sinclair or Aveline Laurent?
Aveline was ready for the show.
Well, Alaric's choice wasn't new.
He had chosen the beauty who could bring an event to silence with nothing but a quiet smile and a handful of flowers.