New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex) novel Chapter 238

Claire leaned back in her chair, a determined glint in her eyes as she looked across the table at Mrs. Armetta. “I want to redo the fashion show,” she said, her voice steady but filled with purpose.

Mrs. Armetta’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Redo it? But why? The show already happened.”

Claire sighed, glancing at Talia, who nodded encouragingly beside her. “I just feel like the collection went to waste. Not enough people remember it, and even if they do, all they probably think about is the fire.”

At the mention of the fire, a sad look crossed Mrs. Armetta’s face. Claire instantly regretted bringing it up and quickly apologized. “I didn’t mean to remind you of the bad things that happened.”

Mrs. Armetta shook her head, a deep sigh escaping her lips. “It’s alright, Claire. That fire… it was the first time I’ve ever failed at holding a fashion show. The magazines talked more about the fire than the clothes. Some even had the nerve to give me negative reviews.”

“Even VOGUE called it a disaster.” Mrs. Armetta added, her voice tinged with sadness. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I still feel a little traumatized by the whole event. The only thing I’m grateful for is that everyone was safe.”

Talia, ever the optimist, quickly chimed in. “Those magazines don’t know you, Mrs. Armetta. You’re one of the best designers out there, and everyone knows it. They’re just jealous, trying to bring you down because you’re on top.”

Mrs. Armetta gave a small, sad smile. “Maybe. But people do love to see the best fall. It’s like they enjoy watching others suffer.”

Claire couldn’t help but agree. “People can be cruel,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “They’ll pay a fortune to ruin someone’s life if it entertains them. But that’s exactly why we need to do this show again. I’m not going to force you, Mrs. Armetta, but I’m a hundred percent sure this redo will be a game-changer. It’ll put your name back on everyone’s lips, and this comeback will go down in history.”

At that moment, a maid entered the room, carefully placing a tray of tea on the table. The delicate clink of China against the tray filled the room as she served each of them a cup. Mrs. Armetta picked up her cup but didn’t drink, instead staring into the swirling liquid as if it held the answers to all her worries.

“What makes you so sure this will work?” Mrs. Armetta asked, her eyes lifting to meet Claire’s.

Claire’s lips curved into a confident smirk. “Because I’ve been in your shoes before,” she said simply. Then, without another word, she lifted her cup, took a sip of tea, and waited.

“So, what do you say, Mrs. Armetta. Are you in?”

Mrs. Armetta studied Claire for a long moment, her fingers lightly tapping the rim of her teacup. The silence stretched on, and Talia and Claire exchanged a quick glance, both wondering what Mrs. Armetta would say.

Finally, Mrs. Armetta took a sip of her own tea and then placed the cup back on the table with a soft clink. “Alright,” she said, her voice firm. “I’ll let you redo the fashion show. But on one condition.”

Claire raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Name it.”

Mrs. Armetta leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with the fire of a true artist. “This show needs to be talked about. It needs to go viral. I want everyone to be buzzing about it. Can you make that happen?”

Claire’s smirk grew wider, her confidence practically radiating off her. “Consider it done,” she replied, the words filled with certainty.