**Chapter 6: The Dinner Is Eye-Catching**   

On the date allocated for the charity dinner, Ellie stood in front of the mirror in her tiny flat. She was adjusting the straps on her simple black dress. It was not a designer piece, but the straightforward beauty of the dress made it quite appealing. It also suited her figure quite well. She had spent hours curling her hair into soft waves and applying a minimal yet polished makeup look. She knew she didn't want to overdo it, but at the same time, looking too plain among the elite of New York's modern day fashion circle was also not an option. Ellie took a deep breath, grabbed her clutch, and walked out. For the charity dinner, the venue was set to one of the poshest hotels in Manhattan, the massive ballroom which had been converted into an oasis with floral decorations, stunning crystal chandeliers, and sparkling guests donned in beautiful attire. As she alighted from the car and approached the valet, handing her coat over, Ellie felt a nervous pang hit her. She could see Lucas towards the entrance – his tall and sturdy physique stood out against the crowd.她能看到卢卡斯在入口处——他高大结实的身材在人群中格外显眼.He stepped out in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, his chiseled jaw and defined cheekbones and his sharp blue eyes making him resemble a character that recently got off a magazine. When he spotted her, there was a twinkle in his eye that looked unfathomable to her. His sharp gaze fixed on her in a manner which seemed like he was either surprised at his sight or he was looking at a person of approval, but within no time he reverted back to the stone cold expression he often wore which gave nothing away. "Miss White," he said with his calm monotone voice while extending his arm towards her. 

Ellie felt a twitch in her head like her body and mind were breaking off into two, momentarily unable to decide the appropriate action to take. Nervously, she grabbed his arm and was let in just like someone stepping onto a roller coaster. The racing was real. 

The room was astonishing and she was astonished to be amongst such prominent leaders in the fashion and business industries. Standing in the room, whereas Ellie recognised many people whose faces adorned the pages of Vogue and Forbes, she could not help but feel slightly out of place striding alongside the who's who's. 

Still, she reminded herself that she was there to represent Hunter Fashion Group and composed herself. 

Lucas's manners on the butler/host front left little to be desired. He walked to a number of guests, explaining who Ellie was, but his politeness never extended to his voice. 

"My assistant, Ellie White," was how he introduced her to a cluster of business folk. Like usual, like always, his voice sounded cool and detached. 

Ellie once again smiled and shook people's hands. She felt that with the overpowering wave of nerves, she did her best to keep up with the conversation. 

But it wasn't easy. 但这并不容易.

The subject matters of the secondary conversation she was eavesdropping on, such as fashion, business mergers, and elite gatherings, were unlike anything she had ever encountered. Because of the same reason, Ellie struggled to engage meaningfully in the discussion.

Ellie felt her cheeks getting hot with embarrassment when one of the women turned her way and asked, "So Ellie, what school did you attend to study fashion?"当其中一位女士转向她问道:"那么,埃莉,你是从哪所学校学的时装设计?"时,埃莉感到自己的脸颊因尴尬而发烫."I... actually, I attended Parsons," she said, with her voice shaking a little."我...实际上,我上过帕森斯设计学院,"她说道,声音有点颤抖.

Ellie's unimpressed interlocutor raised her eyebrow and said, "Oh. Parsons. I believed you would have studied in Paris or Milan instead. Don't get me wrong… it is a nice school, but..."

While Ellie made an effort to smile, seething emotions lay below the surface. Parsons may be considered as an acceptable choice, but no one would praise it, and she was unwilling to let anyone make her feel inferior.

As the night droned on, Ellie became more intrigued but simultaneously more uncomfortable. Each time she felt the silent yet piercing Lucas' gaze on her during dinner and wine served, accidentally spilling all over herself didn't make the nerves settle.

Ellie, however, refused to be intimidated. She was adamant about doing her best since she was here to represent the company as well.

At the head table during dinner, much to Ellie's surprise, she found herself sitting next to Lucas.晚餐时在主桌,令埃莉大为意外的是,她发现自己坐在卢卡斯旁边.

Surrounding her, people were having intense conversations. While drowning in discussions of high fashion and international business, she felt completely out of place and unable to join in.

But then, chance played a hand.但随后,机遇起了作用.

One guest at the party, who was a well-known fashion designer, looked over at Ellie and asked, "Well, Miss White, what's your opinion concerning the current minimalist approach to fashion? Do you think it is a passing phase or something that is here to stay?"

Heart racing, Ellie had to restrain herself from jumping up. With all the years she had already put into studying fashion, she knew this subject intimately well.

She spoke, "I think minimalist fashion is more than just a trend. It is an expression of a modern customer's need for simplicity and sustainability. In this world, people are busier than ever, so I understand why people are gravitating towards designs that are uncluttered, timeless, and functional."

"Actually, I could appreciate that," the designer said while looking at her with widened eyes. "That is a perspective I had not considered.""实际上,我能理解这一点,"设计师睁大眼睛看着她说道,"这是我之前未曾考虑过的角度."Ellie felt a small pang of pride but had to remind herself not to overanalyze the situation.埃莉感到一丝小小的自豪,但她不得不提醒自己不要过度分析当前的情况.By the time the evening progressed and the party started winding down, Ellie felt more and more assured of herself.随着夜幕降临,聚会逐渐接近尾声,埃莉越来越自信了.She participated in the discussion, offering her opinion on fashion and style, and was even able to amuse some of the attendees with her clever comments.她参与了讨论,就时尚和风格发表了自己的看法,甚至凭借机智的言辞逗乐了在场的一些人.But the best part of the night was when the charity auction was held.但当晚最精彩的部分是举行慈善拍卖会的时候.Among the auction items was a bespoke dress from a famous fashion brand, and the bidding war started immediately with a lot of excitement.拍卖品中有一件出自著名时尚品牌的定制礼服,竞拍战随即在一片兴奋声中拉开帷幕.Ellie's jaw dropped when the figure on the screen surpassed fifty thousand dollars. She couldn't fathom spending that much on a single gown.当屏幕上的数字超过五万美元时,埃莉惊得下巴都快掉了.她简直无法想象会花这么多钱买一件礼服."Hundred thousand," Lucas said, with his paddle raised above his head."十万."卢卡斯说着,把桨举过头顶.There was a void in the room and everyone turned towards him.房间里一片寂静,所有人都朝他望去.The auctioneer changed his mind for a moment before announcing, "Going once, going twice… sold to Mr. Lucas Hunter for one hundred thousand dollars!"拍卖师犹豫了片刻,然后宣布:"一次,两次...以十万美元卖给卢卡斯·亨特先生!"Ellie, unable to put her hands together, found herself bombarded with disbelief when the rest of the crowd clapped for the announcement.埃莉双手合不拢,当人群的其他人因这一宣布而鼓掌时,她感到自己被怀疑的目光所包围."Mr Hunter, that's… a lot of money," she managed to mutter out."亨特先生,那...可是一大笔钱."她好不容易才挤出这句话.He pumped his hand, indicating a partial shrug with an utterly unreadable expression. "It is for a good cause."他挥了挥双手,脸上带着让人完全捉摸不透的表情,微微耸了耸肩."这是为了一个好事业."Earlier in the day, she kept shaking her head, saying that it made zero sense, but explaining how much money mentioned under appealing factors while dictating outward towards the sprightly side, she nodded.当天早些时候,她一直摇头,说这毫无道理可言,但当她念到吸引人的因素中提到的金额时,朝着那活泼的一面指了指,点了点头.Something even more unexpected started happening.更令人意想不到的事情开始发生了.

Once the auction was over, Lucas faced Ellie, saying, "The dress now belongs to you." 

Ellie blinked, sure she was imagining things. "What?" 

"The dress," he said as if this were obvious. "It's yours." 

Ellie's heart raced, but she quickly shook her head. "Mr. Hunter, I cannot accept that. It is way too much." 

He raised his brow, betraying nothing of what he was thinking. "It is a gift. Accept it." 

Ellie's breath caught in her throat as the resolve in his eyes was difficult to ignore. 

"She was ready to accept his offer, hearing, 'Thank you,' was enough," Ellie said, her voice shaking with gratitude. 

He nodded curtly, then resumed the conversation, leaving Ellie staring after him in stunned silence. 

Ellie was bewildered at this new version of Lucas. 

As the rest of the evening went by, Ellie was working hard to control what she said and did, leaving the venue at the end of the event exhausted but exhilarated. 

As they exited the venue, Lucas turned to her. His expression was blank. 

"Miss White," he said, his tone neutral. "You did... adequately tonight." 

Ellie blinked, unsure if she needed to defend herself. "Thank you, Mr Hunter." 

He simply nodded, turned and walked away, leaving Ellie looking after him in stunned silence. 

Compliments, and the lack of them, had always been harsh with him. So his 'not quite praise' was all she needed for alone. 

As Ellie got into her car on her way back home, she plastered a faint smile on her lips. 

The charity dinner was bearable. 

And now she was prepared for the next challenge.而现在她已准备好迎接下一个挑战.