Being in one's shoes

Frank had now calmed down and faced all sorts of difficult customers in the physical store. This was currently Frank's biggest advantage - he knew how to deal with them. So, when Hugo and other brands were communicating before, Frank was observing carefully on the side. He took note of the pleasant interaction between Hugo and Givenchy and kept it in mind.

When Hugo and Joseph approached, Frank smiled. For a responsible person in a physical store, a simple smile can convey many meanings: aloofness, contempt, respect, flattery, sincerity... A smile can convey much more than what is literally expressed. Frank's smile was full of significance, indicating that he regarded Hugo as an exceptionally important customer.

"Afternoon," Frank greeted first, then pointed to a row of suits behind him. "For Mr. Lancaster's premiere, there are many styles among our newly launched winter collection that are suitable. This..."

Frank was about to continue, but he was interrupted by Joseph in the middle. "New styles for winter? Hasn't it been a month since the new collection was released?" Joseph's tone was somewhat stiff, indicating his dissatisfaction with Frank.

On the other hand, Hugo, standing beside them, intervened with a smile. "Don't you know? There are different categories for new styles. Many brands release new collections three times in a winter season." Hugo helped Frank out, which surprised him. But before Frank could wipe the sweat off his forehead, he heard Hugo continue, "However, not everyone can see these new styles. Some are only visible to specific groups." The underlying message was: I'm not eligible to appreciate Armani's specific new styles. It was a sarcastic reference to their previous encounter.

Then Hugo turned to Frank and said, "Is that right? I don't know much about fashion, I've only heard some rumors."

Frank managed to hold himself together after Hugo's soft-spoken words. He finally experienced the choking sensation he had felt when he politely challenged Hugo before. But Frank had to maintain his smile and replied, "The new styles I brought today are absolutely unique and definitely suitable for you."

Frank tactfully avoided directly answering Hugo's question and provided a nuanced response. He continued, "The new collection this season..." seamlessly transitioning the conversation. It was seamless, indeed. Frank brushed off the awkwardness and continued, "We have maintained Armani's consistent style. Meticulous tailoring and quality fabrics are a given..."

Frank began introducing the clothes behind him to Hugo. Hugo and Joseph didn't walk away but instead examined the clothes carefully. Compared to the other brands, Armani's clothes were known for their simple and steady tailoring. Richard chose Armani for the "Final Analysis" premiere precisely because the brand's style aligned well with his presence.

Although Armani had made some relatively youthful and unrestrained attempts in recent years, its efforts were still not as bold and innovative as Gucci's. Therefore, those who choose Armani suits were usually mature and composed business professionals, and the positive effect was evident.

Strictly speaking, among the four brands, Armani's suits may not be as suitable for Hugo as Gucci or Givenchy, but they were the most fitting for the theme of "A Few Good Men". No wonder Frank was talking endlessly, seizing the distinctive features of the Armani brand and fully utilizing his abilities.

However, as Frank looked at Hugo and Joseph's attentive expressions, he felt a sense of frustration. The smile on Hugo's face was filled with unfamiliarity and distance, lacking any deliberate negative emotions. It was merely a polite social gesture as if no matter what Frank said, Hugo had already made a decision that couldn't be changed. Frank's efforts now seemed not only futile but also like desperate struggles or a clown's antics. The feeling of shame was indescribable.

Often, in interpersonal interactions, it is not necessary to resort to physical violence to make the other person feel pain, nor is it necessary to use sarcasm to make them feel angry. A humble and courteous smile can also be powerful and unexpectedly deal a fatal blow, delivering a heavy blow to the roots of confidence.

Frank was adept at this approach. As the manager of Armani's branch, he had to maintain basic etiquette in the service industry because it was part of Armani's brand image. Looking down on others was a necessary part of the industry, but it couldn't be too obvious. It required skill. If the underlying rejection could be masked with a humble smile, it would be an art. That was how Frank handled Hugo during their previous encounter, politely causing Hugo to back down. If Hugo wanted to make a fuss unreasonably, Frank would be on the reasonable side, and it would be difficult for others to find fault with Armani. It was a matter of turning the tables: Frank threw the punches, and Hugo swallowed his teeth, but nobody believed Hugo's complaints.

And today, Frank finally felt the counterattack from Hugo, fighting fire with fire. Now it was Hugo throwing the punches, and Frank swallowing the teeth. What was even more frustrating was that despite Frank's mouth being full of blood, he had to gather his spirits and continue with a smile, carrying out his work to the end. Otherwise, he would not only lose Hugo's business today, but also his chance for career advancement and become a tragic figure in front of his peers.

Sure enough, after Frank finished his presentation, Hugo and Joseph remained silent for a long time. Although the silence lasted for only a couple of seconds, it made Frank's scalp tingle. Finally, it was Joseph who couldn't hold back and said, "Thank you for your explanation." Joseph's tone was still somewhat rigid and couldn't conceal his true emotions. It was evident that Joseph held deep grievances against Armani. Hugo even began to suspect whether Joseph had suffered losses from Armani in the past.

Standing beside them, Hugo took over the conversation. "A splendid explanation, so immersive that I couldn't pull myself away." As he spoke, he even applauded lightly, his radiant smile resembling the scorching afternoon sun. In the eyes of others, Hugo seemed genuinely satisfied with Armani. But Frank could see a faint haze in Hugo's clear eyes, which made Frank feel like he was plunging into an ice cellar. "Haha, it would be an honor to wear Armani suits," Hugo hinted, referring to Frank's previous refusal. Frank had believed that Hugo was not on the same level as Richard, but today, Frank brought a series of suits, hoping to catch Hugo's attention. This cyclic irony was reflected in Hugo's words, leaving a bitter taste in Frank's mouth and rendering him speechless.

"Thank you for your explanation. You've worked hard. Please have a seat." After the previous brands had finished their presentations, Hugo would usually look at the clothes and ask some questions. But this time, Hugo didn't. He simply and decisively ended Frank's work, making Frank realize that he had no chance.

Frank experienced firsthand what it felt like to be speechless and helpless. He could only force a smile, trying hard to maintain his composure, and then sat back down. However, it wasn't easy to remain composed at this moment. As a result, when Frank sat down, his body relaxed slightly, causing him to sink heavily into the chair. His teeth clashed together, narrowly avoiding biting his own tongue.

Hugo and Joseph politely gestured towards Frank again before walking towards Givenchy. Complete etiquette was necessary, and this was a lesson that Frank had taught the two of them.

The clothing that Givenchy brought today was highly anticipated. Due to its intricate historical connections with the navy, traditional military elements were consistently incorporated into the designs. This year, Givenchy showcased slightly rugged shoulder epaulets to represent the military influence.

Ordinary suit shoulder lines were shaped through padded shoulders to support the overall silhouette of the suit. However, Givenchy replaced the padded shoulders with stiff cardboard, reducing the sense of a structured suit frame and relying more on the natural body shape of the male form. Additionally, through the sculpting of broad shoulders and longer jacket length, the overall proportions were balanced and appeared more robust.

It could be said that Givenchy's suits were more rugged than the other four brands. Although they still couldn't compare to real military uniforms, the overall sense of a crisp and confident embellishment was more apparent. However, Givenchy's suits were also more demanding. If a man's physique did not stand out, it would look like he was wearing a bucket, lacking any aesthetic appeal, and instead ruining both the outfit and the man wearing it.

The reason Columbia Pictures extended a special invitation to Givenchy was to draw inspiration from their navy elements, allowing Hugo to shine at the premiere. "A Few Good Men", being a courtroom drama involving the military, was perfectly suited for Givenchy's style at the premiere.

Naturally, Hugo did not make an immediate decision. After the presentations from the five brands concluded, he left the clothes in the meeting room and departed first. Once Hugo finished making his selection, the chosen brand would be informed separately, and the clothes that were not selected would be returned.

As Frank watched Hugo conversing with Joseph while looking down, his smile remained on his lips, but it was clearly worlds apart from what Frank had just witnessed. Although Hugo had only returned to the public eye with "Scent of a Woman" and he was far from being a top actor or reaching his peak, he still had a considerable distance to cover before becoming an A-list actor. However, for some reason, Frank had a feeling that Armani had missed out on the most important opportunity of the next decade.