The Grand Palace, Summer City.
Night fell, and the Grand Palace in Summer City glittered under a canopy of lights. The highly anticipated Lunaissance Fashion Week, headlined by the mysterious designer "Y," was about to begin. The red carpet was crowded with A-list celebrities and socialites, all eager to witness Y's latest collection.
Backstage.
Eleanor Sullivan stood before a full-length mirror, a silver mask adorning her face. She raised a hand, her fingertips lightly brushing the edge of the mask to ensure it was secure. A black silk gown hugged her graceful figure, the mask obscuring her delicate features, leaving only a pair of profound, captivating eyes visible. She took a deep breath, her hand gently caressing the finale wedding dress on the model beside her. Every stitch, every bead, was imbued with months of her passion and dedication.
"Elle, are you ready?" came the soft voice of her assistant and best friend, Skyler Mu, who approached with a glass of warm water, her tone laced with familiar concern. Skyler was the only person who knew Eleanor was "Y," her most steadfast supporter. They had been friends since high school, and after university, Skyler had moved to Summer City without a second thought, accompanying Eleanor on her journey from an unknown designer to the celebrated "Y."
Eleanor took the glass, her voice slightly hoarse. "Mm." She let out a soft sigh, her gaze drifting towards the audience-filled seats beyond the curtain.
Skyler smiled, patting her shoulder, her eyes full of understanding. "Alright, stop overthinking. Your designs have never disappointed. Just wait for the headlines tomorrow."
Eleanor nodded slightly. She had chosen to reveal herself as "Y," hiding behind a mask, to force the world to focus on her work itself—not the designer's background, gender, or appearance. She craved pure, unadulterated recognition.
At the end of the runway, the lights dimmed, a single spotlight illuminating the center stage. Accompanied by an ethereal, rhythmic melody, the first model stepped out. The gown flowed like a river of stars, instantly capturing the attention of everyone present.
Front Row, Audience.
Lucien Griffin leaned back in his seat, his long fingers tapping the armrest absently. He typically had little interest in such boisterous events; if not for his family's business interests in the fashion industry, he would be handling a cross-border merger file right now. Beside him, his friend Ethan Shen lowered his voice, "I'm telling you, Young Master Griffin, this 'Y' has quite the attitude. No one's ever seen her face. But the designs are truly impressive, enough to even hold your attention."
Lucien lifted his gaze, his eyes settling on the dazzling gown on the runway, a rare hint of curiosity within them. He didn't respond to Ethan, merely uttering two noncommittal words, "Just okay."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curling his lips. "Just okay? Young Master Griffin, that's rather stingy praise. There aren't many designers who earn a 'just okay' from you. It seems your expectations for this 'Y' are quite high." He noted the unusual spark of interest in Lucien's usually icy eyes.
Lucien ignored Ethan's teasing, his focus entirely on each piece coming down the runway. The styles varied, yet each carried the distinct signature of "Y"—a perfect fusion of art and wearability. He began to wonder what kind of soul lay hidden beneath that mask, capable of conceiving such breathtaking designs.
As time passed, the atmosphere in the venue built to a crescendo. When the finale wedding dress slowly emerged, the entire hall fell silent, leaving only the soft music. Made of pure white silk, adorned with delicate crystals and pearls, its dreamlike skirt shimmered with a sacred radiance under the lights. It was more than a wedding dress; it was a promise of beautiful love, pure and holy.
From the backstage monitor, Eleanor's gaze swept over the guests, finally landing on one man—Lucien. His expression was focused, probing, even holding a trace of barely perceptible admiration. Her heart skipped a beat. She knew, given Lucien's status and sharpness, he wasn't merely here to appreciate a fashion show. That feeling of being seen through made her uneasy, yet a faint, inexplicable sense of anticipation stirred within her.
The show ended to thunderous, prolonged applause. Reporters swarmed backstage, desperate for an interview with "Y." But Eleanor, with Skyler's help, had already slipped away quietly. She disliked the chase of the flashbulbs, the fake cacophony leaving her weary.
In the Car.
Eleanor and Skyler drove away from the bustling palace. Outside the window, the nightscape of Summer City passed by like a dream, yet Eleanor's mood was complex. She removed her mask, revealing her elegant but tired face.
"Elle, you were absolutely divine today!" Skyler exclaimed excitedly, her eyes sparkling. "The internet is going wild, everyone's trying to find out who 'Y' is! And that CEO of the Griffin Group, Lucien Griffin… he seemed very interested in you, keep asking about you!"
Hearing this, Eleanor frowned slightly, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her phone. Lucien Griffin, that man with the piercing gaze. She felt an invisible pressure, as if being targeted by a powerful predator.
"Sky, let's just head back to the hotel for now," Eleanor said softly, a barely detectable weariness in her voice. She knew the feast for "Y" was over. Next, she would have to return to that reality filled with lies and schemes.
Just then, Eleanor's phone vibrated. The screen lit up with the word "Mother." She took a deep breath and answered the call.
"Eleanor, are you well in Summer City? Is work busy?" Her mother's voice was uncharacteristically gentle.
Eleanor's tone was flat. "I'm fine. Everything's going smoothly."
"That's good. By the way, your sister is getting married, early next month. You must come back for the wedding." Her mother's tone carried a note of indisputable finality.
Eleanor's heart sank. She knew the storm was coming. Her relationship with her family had been strained since her grandmother's passing. Cecilia had grown up showered with their parents' affection, while Eleanor, raised by her grandmother, had always felt like a forgotten shadow in their eyes.
"I know. I'll be back soon," Eleanor replied, trying hard to keep her voice calm.
"Good. Your sister misses you. You should show more concern for her." With that, her mother hung up, offering no opportunity for rebuttal.
Eleanor put down her phone, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She knew this return wouldn't simply be about attending a wedding. The Su family was a cage she had spent her whole life trying to escape.
"Elle, what's wrong? You look pale," Skyler asked with concern.
Eleanor shook her head, forcing a smile. "It's nothing. A call from home. My sister is getting married, and they want me back for the wedding."
Skyler's brow furrowed. "The wedding? Your sister, hasn't she always…" She stopped herself abruptly. She knew all about Eleanor's family dynamics and her longstanding discord with Cecilia.
"I know what you're thinking," Eleanor sighed, looking out the window. "Running away forever isn't a solution. What's coming will come. Skyler, please book me a flight home."
"Are you sure? Maybe we can find an excuse to get out of it?" Skyler was still worried.
Eleanor shook her head, her eyes resolute. "No. This time, I have to go back. It's time to reclaim what's mine."
She watched the lights flash by outside, her heart filled with unease. She didn't know what awaited her.
In Lucien's Car.
Lucien also received a call, from the old butler of the Griffin family.
"Young Master, the Master requests you return home as soon as possible. He says there's an important matter to discuss." The butler's voice held a hint of hesitation.
Lucien's brow furrowed slightly. He knew this so-called important matter undoubtedly concerned the arranged marriage. He despised this pre-planned life but couldn't break free from the family's constraints.
"I know it," Lucien replied, his voice icy and devoid of emotion.
He ended the call, his deep gaze turning to the window. The nightscape of Summer City grew increasingly blurry in his eyes. He had a faint premonition that he and the mysterious "Y" might cross paths in an unexpected way in the near future.