I am Hollywood

[Chapter 1105: J'adore]

In just two days, Carmen Kass deeply felt the power and influence held by that man far away in Los Angeles.

Upon receiving instructions from Eric, Nokia's professional crisis management team flew directly to the central Estonian city of Parnu. Before her flight from Paris to Tallinn had even landed, they had already rescued her mother. They also quickly helped her resolve issues with customs.

While her mother had not suffered any harm, Carmen dared not allow her to stay in that small town in central Estonia any longer, and she wasn't even at ease with her being in Tallinn. After some hesitation, the Nokia team's leader suggested moving her mother to Helsinki. Carmen felt a bit apprehensive but quickly agreed.

So, in two short days, she encountered troubles that ordinary people might never face in a lifetime, and she didn't have to lift a finger. Someone effortlessly handled all of it for her. Moreover, no one ever mentioned any costs that might be involved. When she offered to repay the ransom that Nokia had fronted, the manager from the Nokia PR department who assisted her simply said it was outside his jurisdiction, and that was the end of it.

Her sister, having witnessed everything, had recovered from the shock and even joked with their mother, asking if Carmen had another identity, like a Finnish royal princess or something.

Of course, Finland had no royal family.

However, compared to the generally faded kingdoms of Norway and Sweden, Nokia's influence in Finland certainly exceeded that of any royal family by tenfold or a hundredfold. Such a company was merely part of Eric's many holdings.

With the troubles resolved, it was time to return to work.

...

Paris Fashion Week had concluded, and she could have flown straight back to the U.S. However, Paul Roland, who had come from New York, insisted she return to Paris for a potential endorsement opportunity, prompting her to rush back.

Upon landing at Charles de Gaulle Airport, it was already the afternoon of March 15. Paul Roland personally came to pick her up, accompanied by her rather pitiful assistant, Camila. Since she had hurried back to Estonia alone, unable to bring her passport and left to stay in Paris, Paul chastised her quite harshly.

"Don't be so impulsive next time," Paul lectured once they got into the car, "I know you're worried about your mother, but I clearly told you to stay in Paris until the situation was resolved. Did you take a moment to think? Going back alone won't help; it could complicate things."

Listening in silence, Carmen waited for Paul to finish before quietly saying, "Can I... can I say thank you to him?"

This thought had been circling in her mind for two days. But she regrettably didn't have Eric's contact information. While others might have been aware, she hadn't mustered the nerve to bring it up with anyone at Nokia while in Helsinki. Only facing Paul had allowed her to finally voice her desire.

Paul Roland didn't seem to realize how much courage it took for her to say that. He casually glanced at his watch and replied, "Los Angeles is nine hours behind Paris. It's not even six in the morning there yet. You should thank Mr. Williams in person next time."

Then he started lecturing again.

She could only listen, feeling a strange mix of disappointment and an unacknowledged expectation. ...

With the closing of Paris Fashion Week, the half-year fashion season officially ended. Fashion icons who had been running around the world no longer needed to rush; many stayed in the fashion capital of Paris to enjoy some leisurely time after the hustle.

Thus, in the evening, the party hosted by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy at the Crillon Hotel near Place de la Concorde was crowded with celebrities. 

Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, abbreviated as LVMH, comprised three companies: Louis Vuitton, Moet, and Hennessy. Just by looking at the name, one could see it included two globally recognized brands, Louis Vuitton and Hennessy. Moreover, as the world's largest luxury goods group, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy also controlled several luxury companies such as Dior, Givenchy, and Marc Jacobs, covering a range of products from fine wines and champagnes to fragrances, cosmetics, and fashion items.

"Calice Becker just developed a new perfume for Dior and is searching for a spokesperson. She saw a few of your shows and thought your image was perfect, especially since you just secured the Victoria's Secret endorsement. Otherwise, Dior would probably not have given you a second glance," Paul Roland informed Carmen Kass as he guided her toward the party hall after posing for photos by the media wall. "This perfume is called 'J'adore,' targeting the image of modern women who are noble, charming, and self-pursuant. So, be confident when you present yourself."

As he spoke, they heard a group of girls laughing and approaching from down the hall. Carmen turned to look back but instinctively shrank a little. Remembering Paul Roland's previous admonitions and some conflicting emotions in her heart, she quickly adjusted her posture, though her feet hesitated to move.

...

Noticing Carmen's stillness, Paul Roland also paused and turned to see that it was Gisele Bundchen and a few others approaching. Given the previous events, Paul Roland surely didn't feel pleased about seeing these girls, but he couldn't show his displeasure. He politely nodded and gently tugged at Carmen to continue walking, but she didn't budge. With pursed lips, she stubbornly fixed her gaze on Gisele.

The girls walking beside Gisele -- Alessandra, Miranda, and Fernanda Tavares -- noticed her too, their expressions becoming coy. Gisele slowed down, unaware of the recent incidents at the Long Island racetrack, assuming Eric wanted to discipline her because he thought she had gone too far.

Although she could no longer push Carmen around, Gisele wouldn't shrink away. With an air of superiority, she confidently approached Carmen. After sizing up Carmen's outfit for the night, she smiled and remarked, "This Givenchy looks stunning on you, Carmen. But I think your temperament is a bit weak; it doesn't quite hold up. Still, it's impressive that you got to wear this gown so quickly; it looked even better on Fernanda the other day on the runway."

Carmen Kass wasn't particularly articulate. She opened her lips but couldn't think of a sharp retort, merely lifting her chin slightly, defiantly staring at Gisele.

Gisele, however, seemed completely unfazed by Carmen's aura. With a chuckle, she was about to lead her friends away, but then stopped and turned back, saying, "I heard Dior wants you to be the spokesperson for their new perfume? There's no need to be so tense. I wouldn't steal it from you; it's just a new fragrance line. If it flops, I wouldn't want to face the embarrassment."

With that, Gisele turned away without looking back. She then started speaking in rapid Portuguese with the girls beside her, clearly enjoying themselves as they laughed unabashedly.

It wasn't until Paul Roland lightly tugged at Carmen again that the momentum she had just built dissipated, and she felt a wave of disappointment following him, murmuring, "Why... why would he like girls like that?"

"Do you think she acts like that in front of Mr. Williams?" Paul Roland remarked as he guided her into the bustling party hall, taking a look around. "Calice Becker probably hasn't shown up yet. I have some matters to take care of. You should go find Kate and the others. Don't be so isolated; mingling with everyone will surely do you some good."

Carmen Kass nodded. She was never really a loner; it was just that the WM models had been rejecting her.

Paul Roland understood her situation and personally led her to Kate Moss, quietly explaining a few things to her before stepping away.

...

Once Paul Roland left, Kate linked her arm with Carmen, affectionately saying, "Come on, Carmen, let me introduce you to some of my good friends."

Though a bit displeased by Paul Roland's preferential treatment toward Carmen, Kate recognized that Carmen was now one of Victoria's Secret's five spokespersons. The next few years were destined to make her one of the top supermodels with the highest exposure, which diminished Kate's competition thoughts. After all, her personal style would never get her onto the Victoria's Secret runway.

In a way, Carmen had become one of the most noticed emerging models in the fashion world during this time. After being suppressed by Gisele and nearly crushed, she suddenly became a hot deal as one of the Victoria's Secret representatives; the turn of events was nothing short of strange. As a result, many people felt rather fond of her.

"I genuinely apologize; I had no idea you were dealing with such things at home; otherwise, I would have tried to help you," Kate began as they navigated through the party crowd, eventually discussing Carmen's hurried return to Estonia. Now that the issue was resolved, Carmen didn't feel the need to avoid the topic anymore.

Kate appeared very apologetic as they approached a group of men and women, enthusiastically introducing, "Hey everyone, this is Carmen; Carmen, this is Carla, Carla Bruni, whom I'm sure you've heard of. She's thinking about stepping back from the runway and starting a music career, but I'm not so sure about that. It seems more like she's straying from focus. And wow, Jack, you've put on some weight! Don't think I can't tell just because you're wearing this outfit. You better be careful; otherwise, Ennis will leave you for sure."

Half a year ago, Carmen wouldn't have qualified to attend such a party. Like the other new girls in the company, she would have completed her runway shows in Paris, hurried back to New York. Staying in Paris was simply too costly, and the company was unwilling to cover the expenses.

However, thanks to Kate's introduction, she quickly began to integrate into the scene. With her new status as a Victoria's Secret representative, people accepted her presence.

Yet her eyes couldn't help but roam across the party hall, like a small creature on the lookout for predators while searching for food. She spotted a familiar figure blending effortlessly among the crowd. There was Gisele, chatting amiably with fashion mogul Marc Jacobs. A young man approached her, and after exchanging a few words, she embraced Alessandra Ambrosio and planted a deep kiss on her, leaving the young man looking terribly awkward afterward.

She must be gay, she thought, feeling a strange anticipation that he would see through her true self. How could someone so amazing be fooled by her?

With such thoughts racing in her mind, she quickly refocused to take over Carla Bruni's conversation. Yet all of a sudden, she saw the young man who had been chatting with Gisele nearby.

...

He looked to be in his early twenties, with a round face that added to his youthful charm. Remembering how he had been conversing with Gisele, she initially intended to keep her distance, but Kate and the others greeted him warmly.

"This is the son of the LVMH CEO; seize the opportunity!" During their chat, Kate leaned in to whisper this reminder, and she finally understood why everyone was being so friendly.

Still, even if he were the head of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, he was just a kid, and she definitely wasn't interested in a greenhorn.

"Hello, Miss Kass, I'm Antoine Arnault," the young man greeted everyone and then turned to her, reaching out his hand in a friendly manner. "Can I call you Carmen?"

She recognized that she didn't have to feign disinterest toward the young man, as he was polite and respectful. So, she extended her hand to shake his and nodded, "Sure."

Antoine Arnault continued to greet others and engage in light conversations. Yet due to his status, he clearly maintained an air of superiority over the others. It inevitably reminded Carmen of her brief encounters with Eric, which made her feel an unguarded closeness to him.

He was clearly in a different league.

After chatting for a few minutes, Antoine seemed ready to leave but suddenly turned back to her with a gentlemanly demeanor. "Carmen, would you like to join me in meeting a few friends?"

Hearing Antoine's invitation, a hint of envy flashed across the faces of the people around them. What a lucky girl! In just a month, she had not only secured the Victoria's Secret Angel endorsement but also caught the attention of the LVMH heir. She truly was the one to watch.

However, without hesitation, she shook her head. "Sorry, Antoine, I'm waiting for my boss. I have a very important matter to discuss."

"Oh, that's too bad," he replied, still smiling politely. Just as he was about to say something further, Paul Roland approached along with two other ladies.

Before anyone could move, Antoine walked eagerly towards one of the young women, hugging her and saying, "Hey, Delphine, I didn't expect to see you here tonight! Oh, I just met an interesting new friend; let me introduce you."

Turning back to Carmen, he said, "Carmen, this is my sister, Delphine. She works at Dior, handling the fragrance department. And this is Calice Becker; she's one of the best perfumers in the world."

*****

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