Chapter 459 - 455: The Gala Red Carpet

The Jandon Charity Foundation’s annual fundraising gala arrived as scheduled.

Jasmine Sterling chose a Crescent White cheongsam and a handmade fabric clutch.

"Mom, aren’t you going to wear any jewelry? I remember you always loved pairing pearls with your cheongsams," Cecilia Sterling asked, looking at her mother in the mirror.

Jasmine Sterling admired her reflection in the mirror, feeling it was just right. "It’s a charity gala. Best not to be dripping with jewels. This is perfect."

Elegant yet understated.

At her mother’s words, Cecilia took off her own necklace. "You have a point, Mom. I won’t wear this either."

Once the mother and daughter were ready, the car sent by the Jandon Group to escort them was already waiting outside.

The event was held at Metropolis Tower. The venue was already swarming with media, and the red carpet was star-studded. Not only were there famous entrepreneurs, but many celebrities from the entertainment industry were also invited to show their support.

The car slowly pulled up to the entrance of the red carpet, but the door remained closed.

Jasmine Sterling leaned toward the window and was taken aback by the commotion outside. "There are so many people!"

Cecilia gently squeezed her mother’s hand, comforting her. "These kinds of events are always a huge spectacle. Don’t be nervous. I’ll be right by your side the whole time."

Jasmine Sterling nodded. ’Well, since I’m here, I might as well face it.’

"The red carpet has a rhythm. We have to wait for the people ahead of us to reach their designated spot before we can get out," Cecilia explained further.

Jasmine Sterling nodded again. Soon, the car door opened. Whether the reporters recognized them or not, spotlights and camera flashes shot toward them in unison. The glare made the inexperienced Jasmine Sterling instinctively turn her head and squint.

"Mom, take my arm. Just smile."

Although Cecilia Sterling didn’t have this exact experience either, she was well-versed in handling major events. It was just a bunch of cameras. She was well aware of her own beauty and had no fear of them.

With her poised stature and enchanting smile, her every move, her every subtle expression, drew the attention of every lens.

Unsure of who they were, the reporters snapped photos while whispering amongst themselves.

"Who’s that stunner?"

"No clue. A new actress, maybe?"

"She’s gorgeous. Can’t take a bad photo of her."

Cecilia had removed her own brilliant jewelry to match her mother. Instead, this unadorned look made her exquisite face the absolute center of attention, with nothing to compete for the spotlight.

It was... sheer, undeniable beauty.

After a few steps, Jasmine Sterling grew accustomed to the flashing cameras. Led by her daughter, she broke into a calm, confident smile. Her graceful figure, perfectly accentuated by the cheongsam, made for a unique and striking presence on the red carpet.

Cecilia had originally planned to lead her mother directly to the signing board. ’After all, I’m not some big star or a famous entrepreneur; these reporters probably don’t recognize me.’

But just as they reached the middle of the red carpet, a reporter noticed she wasn’t stopping or posing for the cameras and couldn’t resist shouting, "Hey, beautiful, look over here!"

"Look back, beautiful!"

Cecilia saw the reporters waving and shouting at her, so she obliged them by stopping. Images of actresses posing on the red carpet flashed through her mind. She looked over her shoulder at the cameras, smiled, and gave a slight toss of her head.

Though her movements were slight, her beauty was perfectly captured by the lenses.

"Connie, what are you looking at?"

In the car behind them, Connie and Heather Keaton were also waiting to step onto the red carpet. Connie was pressed against the window, watching the dazzling Cecilia Sterling.

"With a presence like that, it’s a real shame she’s not a star."

Heather Keaton was even more puzzled. She leaned closer to look out at the red carpet. "Connie, if you’re so impressed, why don’t you sign her? Is there anyone you *can’t* sign?"

Connie laughed at her words and looked at Heather Keaton. "That woman could buy out Goldman Golding with a flick of her wrist. You want me to sign her? I don’t have that kind of power."

"Huh?" Heather Keaton was shocked. Thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her, she quickly took another careful look. "Are we talking about the same person? You mean the lady in the cheongsam?"

"No, the young, beautiful one," Connie corrected, feeling it was time to tell Heather. "She’s the sister behind Lily. I’ve been wanting to introduce you two, but she never came to the company’s after-parties. I never expected to run into her here today."

"Lily’s sister?"

As it dawned on her, Heather Keaton couldn’t help but cover her mouth with her hand. "So the person backing Lily... is her actual sister?"

Connie raised an eyebrow. "For the drama you’re working on now, Cecilia Sterling is also the biggest investor. Why do you think I insisted you take the role? Because Cecilia specifically requested you for the female lead!"

"Why not let Lily play the female lead?" Heather asked, confused.

A meaningful smile appeared on Connie’s face. "Because Lily wanted to play the second female lead. Her sister doesn’t invest in projects to make Lily famous, but so Lily can act in whatever role she wants."

"Haven’t you been wanting to change tracks? My worry is that you don’t have a safety net. Although Goldman Golding has produced many hit dramas, the company can’t back you the way Cecilia backs Lily. If you star in two flops, your status and resources will plummet. But Lily doesn’t care about that, and neither does her sister."

"Today is an opportunity. You have a good relationship with Lily. If you can get to know Cecilia, as a powerhouse investor, she’ll definitely steer good resources your way in the future."

Heather snapped out of it, but she was hesitant. "Connie, that’s too opportunistic. I don’t want to take advantage of my friendship with Lily."

"Just get to know her first. Then try to become her friend, separate from your connection to Lily," Connie said, patting Heather’s hand. Just then, the car door opened. "Let’s go. It’s our turn."

Cecilia led her mother to the signing board, took the pen offered by the hostess, and signed her name. Then she posed for a photo in front of the board with the Jandon Charity Fund’s logo in the background.

Suddenly, a tidal wave of noise erupted from the crowd, startling Jasmine Sterling.

"Heather Keaton!"

"Heather, look at me, look at me!"

"Heather, slow down! Look back over here!"

Jasmine Sterling looked at her daughter in surprise. Cecilia just offered a faint smile. "She’s a top star in the entertainment industry. The one Lily’s been working with recently. You know who I’m talking about."

"Oh, you mean that gorgeous actress, Heather Keaton?"

Cecilia nodded and let a staff member guide her and her mother into the banquet hall.

The blast of indoor air conditioning made Jasmine Sterling take a deep breath. She whispered to her daughter, "I was so nervous, my underarms are all sweaty."

The words had just left her mouth when Randall Jennings’s voice rang out, "Cecilia, Ms. Sterling!"

He was as dapper as ever, with a distinguished air, his crisp suit adorned only with a pair of solid gold cufflinks.

Beside him was a young, beautiful companion—the same woman he had met on his last blind date, Megan Nash.