New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex) novel Chapter 256

The day of the fashion show had finally arrived, and Adrian’s mansion was a whirlwind of activity. Everywhere you looked, people were buzzing around like busy bees.

Models strutted back and forth, hairstylists wielded their brushes like weapons, makeup artists dabbed and blended with precision, and designers fussed over every little detail of their creations. The place was a hive of creativity and chaos, exactly what you’d expect for a big event like this.

Talia, the event coordinator, was in the thick of it all, her energy levels through the roof. She zipped from one end of the room to the other, making sure everything was just right. One minute she was checking the lighting, the next she was adjusting a hem, then on to overseeing the seating arrangements. She hadn’t had a moment to breathe since morning, and it didn’t look like she’d be stopping anytime soon.

“Is the champagne ready?” Talia called out, her voice slightly frantic as she looked around. A waiter nodded, holding up a tray of flutes.

“Good! And what about the sound system? Is it working?” She didn’t wait for an answer, already moving on to the next thing. Her hands were full, literally and figuratively, juggling a clipboard, phone, and a cup of coffee she barely had time to sip from.

Meanwhile, Claire had yet to make her entrance. As one of the VIP guests and a big draw for the press, her appearance was highly anticipated. Adrian and Talia knew she’d make a splash; she always did. The plan was for Claire to arrive just as the other guests started trickling in, giving the photographers a reason to snap away and boost the event’s profile.

And the guests were indeed starting to arrive, one by one, stepping out of sleek cars and into the mansion. The photographers swarmed like bees to honey, their cameras flashing, capturing the arrivals of various celebrities and socialites. Adrian had only invited the cream of the crop, after all—important people who would bring a lot of attention to the show.

Right on cue, Claire’s sleek black car pulled up to the mansion’s grand entrance. The photographers immediately perked up, their lenses zooming in as her car door opened.

Claire stepped out with the grace of someone who was very used to the spotlight. She wore a stunning limited edition piece from the Armetta collection, a beautiful dress that Talia had redesigned just a bit to give it a fresh, unique twist. The outfit hugged Claire’s figure perfectly, a mix of elegance and modern flair that made her stand out even more.

As expected, the photographers went wild, swarming around her. Claire smiled and posed, used to the blinding flashes that lit up the twilight. She moved gracefully, turning this way and that, giving the cameras what they wanted. Her bodyguards hovered nearby, making sure no one got too close.

After a few more poses, Claire made her way inside, the cool air of the mansion a welcome relief from the heat of the flashing bulbs outside. She headed backstage, where the real action was happening. Talia was there, of course, her expression one of intense concentration as she ticked off items on her list.

“Hey, Talia,” Claire greeted, her voice cutting through the noise.

Talia looked up, a smile breaking through her stress. “Claire! You look amazing, as always.” She glanced at the dress with approval. “That dress is perfect on you.”

Claire returned the smile, glancing around at the bustling backstage area. “How’s everything going? Need any help?”

Talia shook her head, even though she looked like she could use an extra pair of hands. “Everything’s fine,” she said, waving a dismissive hand. “Well, as fine as it can be with a hundred things happening at once. But seriously, we’ve got it under control. You can go enjoy the show. I promise, we’ll handle it.”

Claire raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. “Are you sure? I can stick around and help if you need it.”