The sun cut through the glass exterior of Celeste HQ, scattering gold across the marble floors as the entire upper floor buzzed with barely-contained excitement.
Today marked the launch prep for Celeste's most exclusive campaign yet—a bold, collaborative project that would redefine the face of luxury fashion.
And at the center of it all stood three magnetic forces:Liyana Xu, Damien Lu, and Aiden Zheng.
"Lighting needs to be moody but intimate," Liyana instructed, her voice smooth but commanding as she walked through the photo set inside Celeste's private studio. "This collection isn't about grandeur. It's about power… in subtle strokes."
Damien stood beside her, a tablet in hand. He was in a crisp charcoal suit, his dark eyes scanning the screen while listening intently. Unlike his usual aloof expression during board meetings, here he looked almost… intrigued. "You're going with monochrome tones for the main campaign, then adding color for the digital exclusives?"
Liyana nodded. "We're flipping expectations. The raw cuts of the suits and gowns will carry the drama. Aiden's intensity will handle the rest."
As if on cue, Aiden Zheng stepped out from wardrobe in a black, sleeveless suit-jacket ensemble—sleek, modern, and devastatingly elegant. His usually wild locks were pulled back, revealing the sculpted lines of his jaw.
"I feel like a dark prince," he said, spinning on his heel with a smirk. "This fabric's insane. Is this the 'Midnight Satin' line?"
"Limited-run," Liyana said with a satisfied smile. "You'll be the first to wear it."
"And Damien?" Aiden turned. "You joining me for a shot, or are you just here to micromanage?"
Liyana glanced at Damien, and for the briefest moment, amusement flashed in his gaze. "If I'm ever photographed beside you, people will forget about the campaign and start placing bets."
Aiden chuckled. "That's the point. Viral reach."
Damien smirked but said nothing.
The shoot began. Under the warm glow of filtered spotlights, Aiden shifted effortlessly—each pose sharper than the last, intensity and allure woven through his posture. The theme of "Silent Power" came alive through every frame.
Damien and Liyana stood near the monitors, observing quietly as the team captured magic.
But that moment of professional synergy didn't last.
"Liyana."
The voice was calm, melodic, and unmistakable.
Qin Xieren.
She walked in dressed immaculately in a fitted cream blazer dress, heels clicking softly against the floor. She carried a gift bag of macarons and a tray of branded tea as if she had just 'happened' to stop by.
"I heard the shoot was happening today," she said with a poised smile. "I thought I'd drop in and bring something sweet."
Mira, standing by the assistant's desk, arched a brow at the sudden intrusion. Ruoxi, from the lighting team, shot her a sidelong glance. Both shared a silent understanding.
Liyana maintained her composure. "Thank you. But we're on a tight schedule."
Xieren laughed softly. "Of course. I just wanted to see the genius in action. You three together—it's like a power trifecta. Aiden, you look divine."
Aiden, without looking at her, adjusted his sleeve. "Thanks."
She turned slightly toward Damien, her hand brushing against his arm. "And Damien, I must say… I miss seeing you in the spotlight. Remember that Stanford shoot we did for the tech digest? You were so natural."
Damien's smile faded. "That was a decade ago. And irrelevant here."
Liyana tilted her head, ever so slightly. "Xieren, why don't you enjoy the rest of the shoot from the back? The creative zone needs minimal foot traffic."
It was subtle—but loaded.
Xieren stiffened but recovered with a gracious nod. "Of course. I'll stay out of your way."
As she stepped aside, Mira leaned closer to Liyana, whispering, "She's trying too hard. And failing."
"Let her," Liyana replied under her breath. "It's more obvious this way."
Meanwhile, Ruoxi slipped away to the editing console and quietly pulled up a security log. Within moments, she'd traced Qin's ID badge swipe from earlier that morning—two hours before she made her 'surprise' entrance.
"She's trying to embed herself in every headline connected to Damien or Celeste," Ruoxi muttered to Mira. "But she's going to slip. And we'll be ready."
Back on set, the final shot captured Aiden seated on a throne-like chair, wearing a midnight velvet jacket while holding a folded Celeste invitation card—symbolizing exclusivity, dominance, and allure.
Behind the scenes, Damien observed how Liyana's presence commanded everything without needing to shout. She directed the stylists, corrected a lighting angle, and gave Aiden tips on body language—all without breaking a sweat.
There was a certain poetry to the way she worked. Damien didn't say much, but every time she passed him to give direction, his eyes trailed after her just a second longer than necessary.
By the time the shoot wrapped, the room buzzed with excitement. The creative director was nearly breathless. "This campaign is going to shake the entire industry. It's not just luxury—it's storytelling."
Aiden returned in his own clothes, glancing once more at the moodboard. "I'll do the press junket next week. Just let me know if I should 'accidentally' mention your name again, Liyana."
Liyana smiled faintly. "Depends on how much chaos you want to cause."
"I live for it."
Damien rolled his eyes but remained silent.
As the day ended, Qin Xieren quietly left the building—having gained nothing.
But Liyana, Damien, and Aiden had just created something timeless.
And in the background, Mira and Ruoxi were already unraveling the web Xieren had tried to weave.