The wedding dress design had undergone several rounds of bidding.

Ultimately, Edwin acquired it, integrating it into his collection.

Three years prior, he had invested six million dollars in her debut creation.

And months ago, Laura had shared her first intimate experience with Edwin.

As he entered the room, he observed her attentively unfolding the design on paper, and then casually inquired, “Is the client in a hurry?"

Laura kept her gaze fixed on her work.

In a soft tone, she replied, "Not particularly. Howard mentioned that this lady isn't engaged yet, but she wishes to prepare well in advance." She was staring intently at her work.

"Oh, and I heard she's quite a prominent figure in this city's upper class circle. You might even be familiar with her. Her name is Vanessa Smith."

Edwin must have heard it wrong. Could it be Vanessa Smith from the Smith family?

At that moment, an inexplicable chill coursed through his veins.

He had never met Vanessa in person.

Edwin had come across her images in magazines and newspapers. Her strong and assertive persona hadn't particularly appealed to him.

Yet, there was Vanessa, commissioning a wedding dress from Laura's studio.

Laura remained oblivious to her client's background.

Just as she had done many times before, she immersed herself in her work, sketching the wedding dress with a near-devotional focus.

Suddenly, Edwin found he could no longer linger in her space.

He abruptly exited the studio, finding solace in the night outside, standing before the French window.

Stars adorned the sky, their glimmer offering a momentary respite.

Beneath his feet lay the luminous neon cityscape, a breathtaking sight to behold.

However, the undeniable truth loomed over him. He had no lasting future with Laura. If his father had called him just a bit later, he might have indulged in his fleeting passion a while Longer.