Chapter 64: Forgetting the Invitation

Chapter 64: Forgetting the Invitation

Yun Mu was surprised that Madam Si had invited her to the charity auction.

Considering Yun Mu's disposition, she didn't genuinely enjoy such pretentious gatherings of the elite. However, to establish herself in the capital's high society, these events were mandatory.

Moreover, all invited guests were required to contribute an item for auction. Thirty percent of the proceeds would be donated to support children in mountainous regions.

Yun Mu pondered for a moment and casually sketched a painting.

Back when she was known as Yun Shui, a single painting of hers could fetch a thousand gold coins in the Southern Mystic Continent.

Sigh, she supposed she was giving tonight's bidders quite the bargain.

Unbeknownst to Yun Mu, this was not the Southern Mystic Continent, and few people here knew of Yun Shui.

Huo Tingcheng did realize this, but after glancing at Yun Mu's painting, he remained silent.

If it came to that, he could always purchase it with his own money.

One must uphold the dignity in one's own woman's domain.

Under the shimmering night, the gala venue sparkled with life.

Yun Mu gracefully descended from her vehicle, holding her skirt aloft.

In the deep of night, amidst falling snowflakes, the young maiden's French-style curly locks danced lazily in the breeze. Her fair skin and delicate bones exuded an enchanting allure.

She wore a European-style black velvet gown, studded with pearls, reaching down to her ankles. It brushed lightly against her glittering diamond heels, exuding an aura of aristocratic elegance and enigmatic grandeur.

Her captivating eyes swirled with grace, clear yet aloof. Her makeup was meticulously done, with a black withered rose adorning the left side of her face - enigmatic yet strikingly beautiful.

All gazes were fixated on the young maiden before them, astounded by her formidable presence and her dazzling, flamboyant attire.

By then, no one recognized her as the former Yun Mu, whose face had been veiled by a black scarf.

Yun Mu's eyes were devoid of warmth as she stood resolutely at the entrance of the banquet hall.

But upon opening the purse, her expression suddenly turned awkward.

Where's the invitation?

She was sure she had put it in her purse!

In that split second, she recalled the maid's sudden exclamation before she left the house, about Roundy falling into the pond.

Back then, she had immediately dropped her purse to attend to Roundy. Could it be that someone took the invitation out of her bag during that time?

Li Yunlan!

Apart from her, who else would dare to steal her invitation?

"Miss, you can't enter without an invitation," the guard at the entrance stopped her.

The woman before him was unfamiliar - either a new elite of the capital or someone trying to blend into high society.

On such an occasion today, many social climbers or aspiring stars and influencers would attempt to sneak in for attention or to catch the eye of a potential partner.

The guard clearly regarded Yun Mu as one of those hopefuls.

"Excuse me, I forgot to bring my invitation, but I am..."

"Do you even have an invitation?"

At that moment, a lavishly dressed young lady approached from behind, casting an impatient glance at Yun Mu and scoffing, "A gala like this isn't something a gold-digger like you can crash just by wearing a gown. You really have no shame!"

Following the glamorous girl were several popular female stars from the entertainment industry, all watching Yun Mu with a sense of detachment.

"One must put in quite some effort for this makeup, it's rather unique. Yun Shuiyao also used a similar look to shine at a recent event, but she didn't end up well. I heard she was hospitalized due to her sister's machinations and is now under police investigation."

"What's so great about Yun Shuiyao? A foster daughter daring to claim herself as the capital's premier heiress, she's quite the schemer!"

"What are those two sisters but troublemakers? Bad luck!"

The leader among the glamorous heiresses was none other than Wen Yi, the newly returned daughter of the mayor of Imperial City.

Wen Yi chuckled softly, glancing at Yun Mu. "Indeed, not just any stray cat or dog can waltz into high society."

The people around them immediately started whispering about Yun Mu, treating her as a gold-digger trying to exploit the social scene.

How bizarre!

Yun Mu chuckled softly, barely holding back her frustration when suddenly, several bodyguards came to clear the area.

"Make way, the CEO of the Imperial Duke Group is here!"

What?

The CEO of the Imperial Duke Group?!

Who in the entire Imperial Capital wasn't familiar with that enigmatic figure, the CEO of the Imperial Duke Group? Yet, very few had actually laid eyes on this person.

No newspaper in the Imperial Capital dared to publish news about this individual.

Despite this, their reputation was known by all.

A commotion immediately erupted in the venue as the bodyguards entered, eventually standing on both sides of Yun Mu.

Upon seeing this, the crowd first froze in surprise before breaking into laughter.

"It seems the CEO of the Imperial Duke Group has heard the commotion and has come personally to send people away!"

"What an embarrassment! Riling up this VIP—looks like there'll be no place for us to tread in the Imperial Capital anymore."

Wen Yi's lips curled coldly, casting a disdainful glance at Yun Mu before eagerly turning her gaze toward the entrance of the banquet hall.

If she could win over the CEO of the Imperial Duke Group, her ascension to replace Yun Shuiyao in the Imperial Capital would be just around the corner!

Finally—

At the entrance of the snow-filled grand banquet, an extravagant supercar, worth millions, came to a gradual halt.

Bodyguards swarmed around, hastily opening the car door.

There emerged a figure dressed in a perfectly pressed black suit and trousers, not a single wrinkle in sight due to expert ironing. With long strides, he walked confidently down the red carpet. Amidst the swirling snow, the man carried himself with regal grace and an air of supreme dominance, combined with a distant coldness.

His appearance instantly captured the attention of every heiress present.

Goodness gracious! This is the CEO of the Imperial Duke Group?

How dashing he is!

All the socialites and female celebrities present were mesmerized by Huo Tingcheng's striking looks, despite his pale, cold expression and the chilling aura around him.

None of that deterred the swooning girls!

This man before them had a charisma and physique that outshone every other male.

Add to that his immense wealth and power that could shift the tides at will.

Who wouldn't be infatuated, enthralled by him?

Even Wen Yi, who was accustomed to encountering all sorts in the world of fame and fortune, found herself deeply captivated by this man.

Only someone like him was worthy of her!

Yet, this radiant and peerlessly charming man walked straight towards the woman they had just mocked and looked down upon.

He approached her, took her hand, and gently breathed onto it to warm her.

"Why aren't you going in? Your hands must be freezing."

Yun Mu glanced at the security guard by the door. "I forgot to bring my invitation, and he won't let me in."

The security guard, who had just been bossing Yun Mu around, now trembled with fear.

Huo Tingcheng's icy gaze swept toward the guard. "You dare to stop someone from my entourage?"

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know she was your companion!"

"Scram!"

After scolding the security guard, Hao Tingcheng immediately donned a gentle expression and took Yun Mu's hand, leading her into the venue.

This scene left several socialites and female celebrities standing by with their jaws dropped in astonishment!

What status did this woman hold? To actually have the president of the Imperial Duke Group personally escort her in!

Wen Yi was furious to the point of her face contorting.