Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Stomachache, Arm Ache, Leg Ache, Eye Ache, Leg Ache

"Thank you, Young Master Kingsley!" The sales associate was so nervous her heart was about to leap out of her chest. When she heard his satisfied answer, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

’If I hadn’t picked the right style, I would have been seen as unprofessional and fired. Thank goodness!’

Ethan Kingsley slowly turned his head, his thin lips parting slightly. "How much did you charge her?"

"Because she’s Young Master Kingsley’s girlfriend, I gave her a 90% discount at first, but she seemed to think it was expensive, so I cut the price in half again..."

The more she spoke, the less confident the sales associate sounded.

’Not just a 90% discount, but then half off of that. For the GG brand, a price like this was practically giving it away for free.’

Ethan Kingsley’s cold eyes narrowed, a profound, inscrutable look clouding their depths.

Cold sweat beaded on the sales associate’s forehead, and she was on the verge of dropping to her knees to beg for mercy.

But unexpectedly...

Ethan Kingsley suddenly laughed. "6,000 to win a smile from a beauty? Worth it. Put the rest on my card."

"Uh, yes!"

The sales associate froze for a moment before it registered, then hurried to the register to handle the transaction herself.

...

With the dress issue resolved, Claire Sinclair had a relaxed afternoon at work. As soon as she finished, she rushed to Henry Hartwell’s office door, waiting for him so they could leave work together and hurry to the event.

Henry Hartwell was very precise about time, insisting on waiting until the last half-hour before setting off.

Before they left, he didn’t change his clothes, only telling Claire Sinclair to change into her formal dress in the restroom.

And so, the two of them arrived at the IP Promotion Conference just in the nick of time.

It was only when they arrived that Claire Sinclair learned the event’s full name was the "Original Literature IP Gala." Because they arrived at the last minute, they had perfectly missed the red carpet segment.

Led by a staff member, the two of them entered the venue.

As soon as they reached the entrance, Claire Sinclair was stunned by the sight of 20,000 people in the audience...

’Before coming, she’d assumed it would be an event similar to the M2L tenth-anniversary dinner. She never expected a 20,000-seat stadium, complete with upcoming celebrity performances, an awards ceremony for original authors, and the entire event being live-streamed online.’

’To sum it up in one sentence: she’d been screwed over by Henry Hartwell again!’

Because Claire Sinclair was an important guest, her seat and Henry Hartwell’s were right at the front, in what was essentially the VIP section.

After sitting down, Claire Sinclair immediately whispered in Henry Hartwell’s ear, "Teacher Hartwell, I don’t have to go on stage later, do I?"

Henry Hartwell gave her a meaningful look, a smile playing on his lips. "Your work is the most valuable one being presented tonight. Do you think you’ll have to go on stage?"

Claire Sinclair immediately blurted out, "My stomach hurts, my arms, my legs, my eyes hurt, my legs hurt—"

"Even if it hurts, you’re going up. I’ll go with you."

"I can’t, Teacher Hartwell! My legs will give out—"

"You have to, whether you think you can or not. You need to overcome this weakness."

"I..." Claire Sinclair wanted to find another excuse, but she was too ashamed to go on.

’Teacher Hartwell was right. She couldn’t spend her whole life avoiding crowds, hiding in dark corners, or living all by herself.’

’This was a weakness she had to overcome. It was just a matter of sooner or later, wasn’t it?’

At this thought, Claire Sinclair took a long, deep breath and nodded. "I’ll do my best."

Henry Hartwell smiled smugly. He hadn’t brought her to a public event like this for no reason. Now that they were here, he intended for her to gain some experience.

Just then, the host came on stage. After a brief opening monologue, they introduced a celebrity to come up and sing.

Claire Sinclair had little interest in this kind of show. Plus, she was mentally exhausted from work, so she was incredibly drowsy and couldn’t help but start dozing off.