Love or Revenge?

Chapter 2: Who are you?

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending the grand opening of The LC’s new store today. I am honored to introduce Mr. Lucas De Lilcos, the founder of LC, to the stage for a few words.”

Before the announcer finished speaking, all the lights focused on Lucas. Today, Lucas wore a white suit from his own brand. The impeccable tailoring and high-quality fabric highlighted his already striking figure. His natural European blond hair and fair complexion added to his distinguished appearance.

Lucas stood and walked towards the stage, with hundreds of eyes following him. On the surface, this seemed like just another luxury fashion store, but Lucas was more than just the CEO of a world-renowned luxury brand. He was also the eldest son of the illustrious De Lilcos family in Paris. Born in a city teeming with luxury fashion brands, Lucas possessed vast knowledge and innate talent in fashion. He was also recognized as the most outstanding student in the fashion design department at ESMOD, completing both his bachelor’s and master’s programs in just four years.

The Los Angeles branch of The LC marked a significant milestone, as The LC had rapidly expanded over the past two years, earning widespread acclaim. According to Lucas, this would be the last branch to open in the United States.

“Unlike other fashion brands that expand their influence everywhere, opening stores not only in major cities but also in neighboring states, The LC takes a different approach to elevate our products and brand. We will only have two stores in the entire United States: one in New York and one here in Los Angeles, this store,” Lucas announced.

The audience was surprised. Despite the crowded gathering for the grand opening, the store’s spaciousness prevented any discomfort. Located in the heart of Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd, the store boasted a prime, multi-million-dollar frontage. The store’s interior exuded a classical French elegance, with every detail meticulously crafted. Even the rare vintage paintings displayed were pieces Lucas had collected since his childhood.

From the outside, the store appeared grand and imposing with its large signage, but inside, it was even more impressive. The store’s area exceeded 3000, almost 4000 square meters, with multiple sections. There were areas for showcasing clothing and others for enjoying tea and pastries for guests waiting for friends. Today’s grand opening celebration was held in the tea section. Numerous influential figures attended, hoping to establish good relations with the heir of the De Lilcos family.

After his speech, Lucas descended from the stage. Guests took turns approaching him to toast, but Lucas remained focused. He walked over to Nina and softly said, “My goodness, you’re so feminine today, An— I mean Nina.”

“Watch your words, Lucas,” Nina chastised coldly.

“Hehe, got it,” Lucas replied.

Nina was wearing a long, blue spaghetti-strap dress that fell just below her knees. Her flawless, fair skin was complemented by the simple yet elegant dress, which Lucas had specially made for her as a Friendship Day gift. When Lucas gave her the dress, Nina had thought it childish, but deep down, she was touched by his gesture.

“I thought you’d keep that dress in a display case. I gave it to you ages ago, and you’re only wearing it now. Sigh, you really don’t know how to pick the right time,” Lucas sighed.

“Hmm? What do you mean by the right time? Don’t I look beautiful standing right here?” Nina teased, her eyes twinkling.

“Your eyes look like you haven’t slept. Beautiful where? There are many handsome CEOs here today. What if you fall in love at first sight?” Lucas gave Nina a playful look. She could only shake her head in exasperation.

“Go entertain your guests. I’ll go rest for a bit.”

“Okay.”

Lucas, holding a glass of wine, approached a man in a black suit. The man’s deep black eyes and hair instantly marked him as Asian.

Before Lucas reached him, many people had already tried to toast the man, but he ignored them all. His cold demeanor intrigued others, making them want to uncover the mystery behind his captivating presence.

“Hello, Mr. Lin. I thought you wouldn’t come,” Lucas greeted Adam Lin with his trademark smile.

“Haha, how could I not come? You took my land,” Adam Lin joked.

“Sigh… Mr. Lin, why say that? We had a fair deal,” Lucas replied, feigning hurt.

“Just kidding. I was in the area and thought I’d stop by to congratulate you.”

“Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate the effort, Mr. Lin.”

Whether it was convenient or not, Adam Lin knew his real reason for being there. He rarely attended parties, especially small events like store openings. But today, he had a purpose. Otherwise, no matter how royal Lucas’s bloodline was, Adam Lin wouldn’t have cared.

“Cheng…”

The sound of breaking glass silenced the lively room. An angry voice shouted, “Nina Tyler, don’t think that being a movie star allows you to interfere in others’ relationships. You third-rate, shameless woman!”

The room fell into a shocked silence. All eyes turned to the source of the commotion: a woman standing with a shattered wine glass at her feet, glaring furiously at Nina. Lucas and Adam both turned to see what had caused the disruption.

Nina stood still, her face pale but composed. She met the woman's gaze with a steady, calm look.

“Third party?”

“Shameless hussy?”

“Who is she to come here like this? Does she really think she can elevate herself to a phoenix with such audacity?”

“Mr. Lucas spoke with her earlier. She must be trying to seduce him.”

The crowd buzzed with whispers. Despite Nina’s fame as a renowned actress in China, her name wasn’t as well known in Hollywood or Los Angeles, so it was understandable that some people wouldn’t recognize her. However, Nina didn’t recognize the woman causing the commotion.

“Who are you?” Nina asked calmly.

“Ha… Nina, are you really so blinded by money that you’re pretending not to know me? How can you not recognize me, Daisy Chen?” Daisy Chen’s voice was dripping with scorn.

“Who is Daisy Chen?” Nina truly didn’t recall who she was. She tried to sift through her memory but came up blank. Maybe she had been too careless.

“Me! I’m the girlfriend of Jack Huang. Are you really saying you don’t know him?” Daisy Chen continued to berate Nina.

“No,” Nina replied coolly. She continued before Daisy Chen could escalate further:

“Firstly, this is Lucas’s grand opening event. It’s an important day for him, and you have no business here causing trouble. Secondly, I don’t know who Jack Huang is. There are countless people who like me. If Jack Huang is one of them, that’s his issue. If he’s dating you but still paying attention to me, then you should confront him, not me. Thirdly, you’ll need to pay for the wine glass you broke. I have nothing more to discuss with you. Farewell.”

With that, Nina turned her back and walked away, leaving the crowd in stunned silence. Adam Lin, observing from a distance, couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t even realize he was smiling. “Is it really her?”

Due to the disruption caused by Daisy Chen, and since Lucas didn’t know who she was, he had the security escort her out. Nina, exhausted from lack of sleep the previous night and feeling weary, decided to leave early.

As security removed Daisy Chen, she continued to shout loudly, “Do you know who I am? I’m Daisy Chen, and I’ll settle this with you! Just wait!”

Lucas, annoyed by the scene, signaled his staff to quiet her down. What was meant to be a successful store opening had been marred by an unexpected troublemaker. Lucas shook his head and quickly took to the stage to address the situation:

“Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the unexpected incident. Nina is a friend of mine, and the person causing the disturbance is someone we don’t know. Please disregard the inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding.”

Once Lucas spoke, the room's atmosphere returned to its lively state. With Lucas’s reassurance, no one dared to criticize Nina. Everyone understood that crossing Lucas would only complicate their own business. With his strong backing, provoking him would only bring difficulties. So, they chose to turn a blind eye.

While attention was focused on Lucas, no one noticed that Adam Lin had discreetly left. At that moment, no one was aware that he was following Nina’s car. Nina, wanting some fresh air alone, drove herself to a nearby park.

Nina’s BMW convertible looked captivating as she drove. Her face, her eyes, her expressions made it impossible for anyone to look away. She drove swiftly, and Adam was surprised at how adeptly she handled the car. He hadn’t expected Nina, who seemed so delicate, to drive so skillfully and briskly.

Fearing that she might notice him trailing her, Adam kept a safe distance, though still close enough to avoid losing sight of her. He never thought he’d find himself behaving like a stalker.

The car stopped, and Nina stepped out, strolling down the quiet, white-paved path of the park. She made her way to a bench and sat down, stretching and taking in the fresh air. It had been a long time since she had last visited a park to enjoy such peaceful solitude.

In her home country, she was a famous actress constantly pursued by paparazzi. She could never walk outside normally without being hounded for photos. Sometimes, she wondered why she chose this path and not another. Yet, the truth was that only by entering the entertainment industry could she dig deeper into the truth.

Often, she wanted to take a leisurely walk in the park like ordinary people, but it was quite difficult for her. Only during spontaneous trips without a set schedule, like now, could she truly relax. In unfamiliar, crowded places where no one knew her, it was a rare and wonderful experience.

Adam Lin watched from a distance, observing Nina as she relaxed and breathed in the air. Suddenly, a gentle voice broke the silence, causing him to startle.

“You don’t have to hide like that. You can come out. I know you’re behind me,” Emily said, her voice calm and composed.

Adam Lin hesitated for a moment, then stepped out from his hiding place. “How did you know I was following you?”

Nina looked at him with a knowing smile. “You’re not the only one with eyes.It’s not hard to notice when someone is tailing you.”

Adam approached and took a seat next to her on the bench. “I didn’t intend to intrude. I was just curious.”

Nina raised an eyebrow. “Curious about what?”

He paused, then said, “Curious about you. I didn’t expect you to handle that situation with such grace.”

Nina laughed softly. “It’s just another day in the life. People will always find reasons to create drama. The important thing is to stay composed.”

Adam Lin nodded. “You’re quite remarkable.”

Nina’s smile widened. “Thank you. I suppose everyone has their own way of dealing with challenges.”

They sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the tranquility of the park. Adam Lin glanced at Nina, intrigued by her poise and calm demeanor. There was something compelling about her that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.