Chapter 22
At the Milan Design Week reception, Callie was chatting with several brand representatives when Susan suddenly tapped her shoulder from behind: “Let me introduce you to someone.“[]
She turned to see a man in a deep blue suit standing beneath the crystal chandelier.]
His features appeared particularly sharp in the light, gentle eyes smiling behind gold–rimmed glasses.]
“This is my brother, Gabriel Sinclair.” Susan winked. “International lawyer just transferred back from Geneva, specializes in women’s rights cases.”
“I’ve heard so much about you, Miss Hartwell.” Gabriel extended his hand, his fingertips warm and dry. “I’ve seen your ‘Phoenix‘ series designs–those broken and reconstructed lines… quite powerful.“]
Callie was slightly stunned.
Most people preferred her “Starlight” collection. Few appreciated the “Phoenix” series, let alone saw through the hidden metaphors in her designs–those years crushed by marriage then reborn.[]
“Do you study design too, Mr. Sinclair?”
“I just appreciate beautiful things.” He smiled, handing her his business card, his fingertip inadvertently brushing the scar on her inner wrist–a lash markleft from the Hayes family years ago.]]
Callie instinctively moved to pull back her hand, but heard him say softly: “This scar’s pattern resembles the engraving technique in your work.“[]
The reception’s noise suddenly felt distant.[]
For the first time in three years, someone looked at her scars not with pity or curiosity, but as if appreciating a work of art.[]
Three months later, Callie stood at the unveiling ceremony for the “Harmony Foundation.“[]
Reporters crowded below while Gabriel, serving as legal advisor, stood beside her. When she was cornered by difficult questions, he always managed to deflect them with perfectly timed legal terminology.
“Miss Hartwell, there are rumors you established this foundation to get revenge on your ex–husband. Did you have a hand in your ex–husband’s company going bankrupt?“]
Just as Callie was about to respond, the microphone was smoothly taken by a well–defined hand.
“The Charity Act has clear regulations.” Gabriel’s voice was calm and measured. “Foundation establishment requires strict review by civil affairs departments. Are you questioning our judicial system’s integrity?”
The questioning reporter was immediately silenced.[]
After the event, Callie found a warm cup of honey citron tea in the break room with a note tucked beneath.]]
[You did great today. Ignore the gossip–I’ll always be here for you. -G]
Holding the cup, she remembered her assistant mentioning that Gabriel had canceled an important meeting to be here.
In the tea’s rising steam, she found herself really looking at the figure organizing documents for the first time.
Those gentle eyes always held such certainty about her.]
On a late autumn evening, while Callie worked overtime revising designs, the office suddenly lost power.[]
“Don’t be scared.” Gabriel’s voice came through the darkness. “I’ve got light on my phone.“]]
As the soft glow appeared, she saw his worried gaze fixed on her.]
“How are you here?”
“Susan said you’ve been pulling all–nighters lately. I wanted to check on you.” He held up a thermos. “My housekeeper made soup–it’s good for your stomach.”
3 16315 OF FANY LATE NING CARTZEmb
Callie suddenly felt her eyes burning
Once upon a time, she’d been the one holding soup, waiting for someone who never came home on time.[]
“Gabriel.” She said his name seriously for the first time. “Why are you so good to me?”
In the darkness, his fingers lifted slightly, then restrainedly lowered.[]
“Because you deserve it. There doesn’t need to be a why.“[]
Meanwhile, in a Beijing sanatorium, Declan–repatriated and deemed mentally unstable–stared at the financial magazine showing two people standing side by side, his fists clenched until his knuckles cracked.[]
Small print in the corner stung his eyes.[]
[Sinclair Heir and Starlight Founder’s Romance Exposed][]
He frantically dialed the number that had long since blocked him, until a nurse took away his phone: “Mr. Hayes, time for your medication.“[]
Autumn leaves drifted outside the window, and in a trance he remembered years ago when a girl had waited for him to look back.
Now the stars still shone bright, but they no longer lit up his sky.[]
