Winter Swan

Jung Yun was still on her phone, so Silje was about to walk away when Yun hung up and put her cell phone in her bag. She then walked towards Silje and looked up and down at her.

"Did you come here to audition for Sherian too?"

When Silje nodded, Jung Yun replied shortly, "Alright. Bye."

With that, Jung Yun went back to her seat and turned to the model who was sitting next to her. She looked Korean, and Yun started to talk to her and ignored Silje.

Why did she start a conversation with her when she was just going to abruptly stop? Silje couldn't understand Jung Yun.

However, one thing was certain: Jung Yun was one of the top models, her walking teacher, and even she came here to audition for Sherian.

This gig was definitely a big deal.

Silje waited in the reception area calmly.

She didn't know how much time passed, but suddenly, the casting manager opened the door and called for her.

"Silje Kim!"

Everyone, including Jung Yun, stared at her as Silje walked into the audition room again. Inside, the models who were selected for Sherian were trying on various fashion show outfits and getting photographed with the polaroid camera.

The casting manager waved Silje toward her.

"Could you come over here? We are going to quickly measure your body and fit you into an outfit."

Silje was ready to be rejected, but it was clear that luck was on her side. She felt like the sun was coming out to shine on her.

The auditioning room was connected to another area where the actual fittings and sewing took place. It was like a secret place and Silje felt thrilled to be there.

A seamstress started to measure Silje's waist when the door to the workroom opened and a tall man walked in.

He was still far away from her so Silje couldn't see him clearly, but he looked familiar. Silje didn't think too much about it until he came close by and she saw his sneakers.

It was him! The man from the elevator.

"What happened to that bag we sent to the sewing company? Did you get a call from them yet?"

Still wearing the thick-framed glasses, the blond man walked around the workroom unhurriedly and asked various questions. He seemed very comfortable in this room and Silje wondered, 'Does he work here?'

The man glanced at Silje and asked the seamstress, "Emma, could you bring in the new jumpsuit? I want to see it on her."

Jumpsuit?

Silje was confused. Who was this man that he wanted to see her in a jumpsuit?

Silje still had no idea, and she didn't think much of it.

That was until Emma answered him.

"Yes, Chris! I will get it right away. Will we put the jumpsuit on her and start the fitting immediately?"

Emma looked at the man like he was her idol.

Fitting? And his name was Chris?

THE Christian Lozetti of Sherian?

Silje's eyes widened in shock and Christian turned to her. He smiled faintly.

"Hello again, Miss."

His light brown eyes sparkled as he continued, "Didn't you say you wanted to become a Sherian model?"

Christian smiled at her shocked expression.

"So let's get going. Change into the show outfit right now."

"Pardon? What did you say?"

At the unexpected words, Silje stammered. Christian smiled but said in a serious tone, "Now, you have just become a Sherian model. So I want to see how well you will do. Silje Kim, don't disappoint me."

***

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday too you."

Clink!

The sounds of the champagne glasses announced the start of the party.

The guests were gathered in the impressive Bruntland mansion for a birthday party.

"Happy birthday, Rolf!"

Everyone was smiling happily, but the owner of the castle, Rolf, looked unhappy.

Custom-made cake, overflowing champagne, and smiling faces… Despite being surrounded by such luxury, Rolf looked gloomy. On the other hand, Ingrid was having a grand time as she laughed and hosted the party. She was wearing a black hat with a long veil to cover her face. She looked like she should be attending a funeral rather than a birthday party.

She led the party expertly.

"Welcome everyone! Welcome to the party! Rolf's friends are my friends, so please let me know if you need anything. Rolf's birthday is a joyous occasion in our family. As the head of Bruntland family and group, we thank you for coming to celebrate this happy event."

Rolf looked at her in disgust.

"Stop it, Ingrid. Did you forget what is happening to him? It is not time to celebrate my birthday."

"Who cares about him? Rolf, to me, you are the only one that is important. Did you already forget what that bastard did to me? Stop talking about him or else you are going to ruin this party. Darling, remember that the guests are watching us."

Ingrid whispered to him with a fake smile and Rolf seemed resigned.

"Ingrid, I have nothing more to say to you. Don't blame me if I leave you someday. I am warning you right now."

"I don't care. I know you will never be able to do that. Rolf, live long. I will not allow that bastard to take over this family and the company. He is going to ruin everything. Of course, I really doubt he is going to survive for long at this point. Haha."

Ingrid started to laugh hysterically. With the black veil over her face, she looked like an evil witch and Rolf looked at her tiredly.

Mingling among the guests, Ingrid looked down at the green emerald ring on her finger.

The ring had been worn by the hostesses of the Bruntland family for generations. Initially, Rolf gave the ring to Hannah, Kail's birthmother. After her death, Kail kept it as his own, but when he was sent away to the mental hospital, Ingrid was able to take it for herself.

"The ring has finally reached the rightful owner. Yes, yes! And that bastard will never be able to come out of that hole. He will rot there."

She smiled proudly and raised her glass.

"Now, everyone, let's congratulate Rolf for his birthday. Cheers!"

Everyone smiled and raised their glasses as well.

"Cheers!"

Slam!

Suddenly, the door opened loudly and someone limped in. It was a young man in a hospital gown. He was walking with a makeshift crutch.

Everyone looked shocked as the man walked to the middle of the room.

Messy hair, ripped hospital gown, and the broken piece of a branch being used as a crutch…

It was Kail.