09 New Product Launch

The two weeks flew by, sending out media invitations, inviting guests, and Alice was satisfied to see everything in order.

It felt like time stood still, with every minute filled with tasks and the next minute planned out.

Alice and her team had made great efforts these days. After a long time of full preparation, the day finally came.

Suddenly she was shocked by the array of beautiful models. Each one was rail-thin, and the scene was more than Alice could handle.

She double-checked the arrangements and meticulously went over the guest seating.

As the time drew near, Alice felt a growing sense of unease, as if she might have forgotten some crucial details. Jack had long since vanished, leaving her with the exhausted staffers.

Alice stood among a group of Roosevelt servers, checking their attire and makeup, when a young server elbowed the other, "Look."

Turning around, Alice saw John enter with an exceptionally beautiful young woman, the pair attracting attention.

Without thinking, she looked over at the maid, who just rolled her eyes, clearly remembering the night's guest.

Emily wore a long dress, making her appear even thinner and taller.

She occasionally looked up at John with a warm smile. Alice noticed the elegant young woman holding a hint of gentleness towards John.

Emily whispered a few words and slowed her steps, "I'll go backstage." John nodded, "See you later."

A moment later, Emily saw Jack, and with a laugh, she said, "Director Wright doesn't like me."

John smiled, "Don't pay him any mind." He watched as Emily walked away, then turned to survey the surroundings, his gaze focusing on a corner.

"Mr Williams." Jack appeared out of nowhere, as usual, and Alice was accustomed to it, "Now I can understand why you changed models."

Jack wore a suggestive smile, he stared in the direction of the backstage.

Ignoring his double entender, John asked, "Is everything all right?"

"Almost," Jack replied, a bit absentmindedly, then dashed off, "I'll go confirm with Alice."

But the intimate way he referred to her suddenly made John furrow his brows.

Jack approached a group of girls, smiling.

All the servers were n smart, clean attire, and Alice stepped back, "Come on, let Director Wright check you all, make sure you're ready."

She looped her arm through Jack's, "Or should we applaud and welcome Director Wright to speak?" She teased Jack, who joined in the laughter with everyone else.

Alice's phone buzzed, and she stepped aside to answer it.

It was the security department again, with a last-minute request for additional attendees from the media.

Alice held the phone and looked around for staff from Lemon's PR department. The media list was compiled by Lemon themselves, and it wasn't within Alice's jurisdiction to make changes.

Scanning the area, she didn't see anyone and quickly gave them a telephone number, telling them to handle it themselves.

Hanging up, she realized a man had been standing next to her all along--it was John. His gaze wasn't on her, but their proximity made her step back in a hurry, nearly losing her balance, "Mr Williams."

"Be careful," he said, steadying her with his arm, which he didn't immediately withdraw. For a moment, Alice felt awkward.

He withdrew his hand. She never appeared like that, she was very exhausted these days. She was always calm, collected and professional.

With the bright lights of the lobby, he looked at her closely and asked with a smile, "You must be very tired?"

She was indeed exhausted, and the dark circles under her eyes couldn't be concealed with makeup. Alice tried to cover her exhaustion with a smile, "I am fine. Do you need me to show you around?"

He shook his head, his gaze clear and focused on her--Alice couldn't help but feel a bit startled by this, and quickly left: "I'll go attend to other matters."

He watched her leave. For a moment, he couldn't help but chuckle: Had she really thought he could casually drop by a single lady's home for dinner?

But Alice didn't have time to ponder such matters. One call after another, condensing time and space.

When she looked up again--the doors to the banquet hall swung open, Lemon's top management entered. The flashlight followed the man in the middle.

The chaos was expected, setting the stage for the new season's product launch. John, in his deep-colored, hand-tailored Italian suit, stood with his hands in his pockets, his gaze calm as photographers shouted, "Mr Williams!" and journalists asked questions.

He wasn't a celebrity seeking media attention, merely raising his eyebrows slightly as he moved forward. His appearance was beyond mere handsomeness.

Alice stood in the corner, silent, feeling a dizziness come over her. She realized she truly wasn't a lecher. Her admiration seemed to stem from his perfect demeanor, and her eyes followed the crowd involuntarily.

Through the flashing lights and noise, John had scanned the corner where Alice stood. She was like a silent pretty flower in the spring.

As he passed by, he couldn't help but look at her, startling her--Alice reflexively hid behind a large phone advertisement, then paused, wondering what she was hiding from? In this grand hall, with its brilliant crystal chandeliers, everything was as public as it could be.

The familiar TV host invited the Lemon CEO to speak, and John mounted the stage. The lights dimmed as the speaker approached, and the spotlight shone on him.

This man, who dominated the communications industry, discussed Lemon's next steps with the unveiling of three new phone models.

His voice was melodious, his gaze scanning the audience, his smile confident, making everyone feel at ease.

Alice felt a sense of deja vu… He had stood on a stage like this at the school, his demeanor was gentle, his voice familiar: "From a student to a professor at Oxford, I can only strive to repay my teachers, students, and alma mater."

Yes, his voice was so calm, but no one doubted his love for the school and academia.

She stood in the corner of the small auditorium, through the crowds, watching countless students stand and clap, their young faces full of vitality. Everyone felt excited and happy.

She wanted out and came back from the memories to find herself in a blizzard, her breath visible in the icy air. Even life had its limits, and even the sweetest, most steadfast vows could crumble…

Alice was pulled back into the hall from her reverie by a loud cheer, and it was showtime.

The models were indeed attractive, and Alice couldn't help but sneer: "people were just naturally attracted to beauty and repelled by ugliness, it was in their nature."

The woman on stage seemed familiar, and Alice realized it was the angry Emily Brown that night--no wonder she had entered through the backstage.

Such a beautiful woman didn't need to rely on clothes to make a statement. She wore a black dress and had painted her nails red, a splash of bright color against the dark catwalk, her allure captivating.

Emily was dead gorgeous and stunning. She couldn't help but want to see John's reaction, but found he was expressionless, his gaze devoid of any hint of affection, seemingly more focused on the models' phone display.

"How disgusting." Jack's voice sounded dispirited.

Alice didn't bother to turn around. "What's wrong?" She thought everything was fine.

Jack muttered, "Look, the model's catching all the limelight. This is the phone launch we've been working on for so long!" He shot a glance at John below the stage, brimming with discontent.

Alice gave him a sarcastic look. "Don't complain to me because I'm just working for you. Go ask your boss if you have complaints."

"You know, Mr. Williams and she…" Jack blurted out, then stopped.

Alice's interest was aroused in an instant: "What? Don't be so vague."

"Nothing, they were alumni." He added, as if trying to cover up more.

Since he wouldn't spill the beans, and it didn't concern her anyway, Alice went back to watch the show and comforted him with, "Relax, she is such a beauty, she can always draw attention.

Tomorrow, when she's on the front page of the entertainment papers and programs, the phone will be noticed at the same time."

With everything running like clockwork and the lights dimmed to a cozy darkness, Alice couldn't help but start to nod off.

She gave herself a sharp pinch on the other arm to stay awake, and heard Jack say, "Did you see that older man? He was our first-ever risk investor."

Sure enough, John's gaze had shifted to an old man sitting beside him, his sharp eyes flickered for a moment, and they were now deep in conversation.

"They're all shrewd! Definitely plotting against each other!" Jack commented.

Alice couldn't help but smirk and replied, "Women might have a reputation for gossip, but trust me, men can dish it out just as well.."

They chatted on and off until the end of the event, when the VIPs started to stand up.

Alice gave Jack a shove, "Why don't you go over there?" As for her, it was time to start cleaning up the venue, which meant another late night. She called the front desk to book a room.