Chapter 15 The Charity Night
Valentina finally settled on a strapless white evening gown, which had a simple design yet exuded elegance. Paired with a white blazer, the
ensemble struck a tasteful balance.
After washing her hair and making a quick supermarket run, she returned home past 8 PM.
Valentina’s injured hand still couldn’t tolerate water, ruling out cooking. She was about to resign herself to instant food when the doorbell rang.
“Ms. Campbell? It’s me.”
Tobias stood at the doorway, holding an insulated food container. Beside him was a doctor in a white lab coat.
Valentina opened the door, startled. “What brings you here?”
“On Mr. Crawford’s instructions,” Tobias replied. “This is your dinner. You need light meals for smooth recovery.” He then gestured to the doctor. “This is Waldo Farley. He will change your bandages. It will be helpful.”
Osvaldo’s sharp features flickered through Valentina’s mind.
“Thank you. Where is he?”
“No need for formalities, Ms. Campbell. Mr. Crawford is away on business in Adenastin. He’ll return in a day or two.”
Valentina nodded and ushered them inside.
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Chapter 15 The Charity Night
Valentina finally settled on a strapless white evening gown, which had a simple design yet exuded elegance. Paired with a white blazer, the
ensemble struck a tasteful balance.
After washing her hair and making a quick supermarket run, she returned home past 8 PM..
Valentina’s injured hand still couldn’t tolerate water, ruling out cooking. She was about to resign herself to instant food when the doorbell rang.
“Ms. Campbell? It’s me.”
Tobias stood at the doorway, holding an insulated food container. Beside him was a doctor in a white lab coat.
Valentina opened the door, startled. “What brings you here?”
“On Mr. Crawford’s instructions,” Tobias replied. “This is your dinner. You need light meals for smooth recovery.” He then gestured to the doctor. “This is Waldo Farley. He will change your bandages. It will be helpful.”
Osvaldo’s sharp features flickered through Valentina’s mind.
“Thank you. Where is he?”
“No need for formalities, Ms. Campbell. Mr. Crawford is away on business in Adenastin. He’ll return in a day or two.”
Valentina nodded and ushered them inside.
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Waldo worked swiftly to redress her wound while Tobias laid out the
meal.
They were signature dishes from Nostalgia Dining. Though mild in flavor, their artful presentation and savory aroma instantly whetted Valentina’s appetite.
“Take your time, Ms. Campbell,” Tobias said evenly.
“My number, the one ending with 1999, is saved in your phone. I just sent a test vibration.”
Valentina dipped her head. “Thank you. I appreciate your hard work.”
***
Two days later, Valentina’s injury improved markedly after rest.
On Monday, Valentina resumed work, which was morning handovers with colleagues, and had lunch with a key client, and afternoon meetings with the strategy team to finalize transitions.
Shayna found her at 5 PM.
The Charity Night began at 7:30 PM. Factoring in commute time, Valentina had barely an hour to prepare.
Luckily, she brought her gown with her in the morning.
“Ms. Campbell, you need to change and do your makeup now,” Shayna urged. “Mr. Laurenson called twice.”
Valentina then got up to dress.
For such galas, ostentation mattered less than discretion. A polished appearance, generous donations, and upholding the company’s image.
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sufficed.
289 Vouchers
The Campbell family always clawed for invitations to elite events, though they only ever brought Dully along, claiming that Duffy was naïve and needed exposure while Valentina was experienced enough.
It was just a flimsy excuse to exclude Valentina.
Their desperation to elevate Duffy contrasted sharply with their efforts to suppress Valentina’s visibility.
Luciano had been the same over the years.
He always chose Duffy as his plus–one under the guise of sparing Valentina’s workload.
But Valentina never craved such hollow socializing. True influence, she knew, stemmed from capability, instead of the entrée into so–called circles.
“Tell him I’ll meet him at the company entrance in one hour.”
“Understood, Ms. Campbell!”
The event unfolded at the Pherton International Exhibition Center.
This was a frequent venue for high–profile galas.
This year’s Charity Night ranked among the most lavish gatherings, so all the guests were the elite.
The spotlight fell on reclusive elite families who rarely graced such events themselves. They would rather send representatives.
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Valentina’s role tonight mirrored this rule.
228 17ow hard
In stark contrast, few families and fledgling companies could scramble to secure invitations like lifelines. The Campbell family even exhausted
schemes for a single ticket.
Over half of Pherton’s magnates and A–list celebrities flooded the convention center, their presence magnetizing media hordes.
Duffy schemed relentlessly for this moment.
Outside the venue, roads were cordoned off as a restricted zone. The grand staircase leading to the convention center was draped in red carpet, flanked by rows of cameras.
All eyes were locked on the carpeted walkway and the signature wall ahead.
At the entrance, a dizzying parade of luxury cars and high–end rides pulled up one after another.
All celebrities, tycoons, billionaires, and socialites dressed to the nines. It was a feast for the eyes.
Another Rolls–Royce glided to a halt. Cameras were focused on the car door.
Soon, the car door was opened, and a silver–gray figure came into everyone’s view.
Luciano, the president of Aurora Group and the heir of the Stanton family, was dressed in a high–end silver–gray suit. With his handsome face and an air of nobility, he got out of the car unhurriedly.
The Stanton family was quite well–known in Pherton, especially in the field of jewelry and clothing. Aurora Group had been booming in recent
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years.
Many years ago, the Astra Group was involved in a scandal of tax evasion and bribery. Everyone thought that the Stanton family couldn’t hold on and would go bankrupt.
Unexpectedly, Aurora Group emerged halfway. In just a few years of development, it became a brand recognized by everyone in Pherton.
This proved its strength. Incidentally, it also saved the nearly–bankrupt Astra Group.
Now, the Stanton family controlled two groups, Astra Group and Aurora Group. Naturally, Luciano attracted much attention. His outstanding appearance and wealth undoubtedly earned him the admiration of countless women.
He stood firmly and then bent down slightly. With a gentle smile on his handsome face, he softly reached into the car.
Soon, a slender hand was gently placed on his palm. Following his guidance, a woman slowly got out of the car.
The appearance of the woman immediately caught everyone’s attention. Countless spotlights and lenses were aimed at her.
Duffy was with hair cascading over bare shoulders and a diamond choker blazing against alabaster skin. Her strapless gown flattered her figure. With delicate makeup, she looked charming.
Her every movement exuded the poise of a well–bred lady, which was very pleasing to the eye.
Becoming the center of attention made Duffy feel satisfied.
This gown looked equally beautiful and elegant on her. She even mused
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that it suited her far better than Valentina.
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After all, Duffy thought she was a professional model, not someone like Valentina, an “amateur“, who could never be compared to her.
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