After settling Angela's matter, Jason leaned back in his office chair and looked at Lewis.
"Have the seats been arranged?" Jason asked calmly. "Front row?"
Lewis nodded without hesitation."New Vision Media may not be a century-old giant, but we're still a publicly recognized company with a valuation of over $240 million. Even without using your personal influence, front-row seats are guaranteed."
Jason tapped the desk lightly."What about the very front of the T-stage? The position where the models walk straight toward us."
Lewis chuckled helplessly."Mr. Carter, I know exactly what you're thinking—but that seat is already taken."
Jason raised an eyebrow."By whom?"
"The organizer," Lewis replied. "This competition is hosted by Starlight Fashion Group, one of the most influential modeling and fashion agencies in the US. The seat closest to the runway is reserved for their chairman, Ethan Cloudwell."
"Cloudwell?" Jason repeated.
"Yes," Lewis said with a hint of respect. "People in the industry call him Cloud. In the American modeling scene, no one really challenges his authority."
Jason didn't comment immediately. Instead, he asked,"How's Starlight Fashion Group's growth potential?"
Lewis paused, surprised by the shift."Strong. Very strong. Honestly, they're a perfect strategic match for New Vision Media. They're essentially the fashion industry's version of a media empire—model management, brand collaborations, IP incubation. Combine their models with our streaming platforms, and the synergy would be explosive."
Lewis hesitated, then added carefully,"…Why do you ask, Mr. Carter?"
Jason didn't answer. He simply pulled out his phone and sent a message.
Jason: Evaluate Starlight Fashion Group. Full valuation. Growth outlook.
Olivia moved fast—as always.
New Vision Media now had its own legal, financial, and asset evaluation teams, all operating at peak efficiency. Corporate acquisitions had long since become a streamlined process.
Less than an hour later, Olivia replied.
Starlight Fashion GroupFounded: 2010Core business:– High-end model agency (58% revenue)– Fashion IP incubation (27%)– Digital content & brand marketing (15%)
Tangible & contractual assets: approx. $300 million Brand premium: $150 million Projected profit growth: ~18–22% annually (next three years)Recommended acquisition range: $750–900 million
Jason glanced at the numbers.
Then he smiled.
"Buy it," he said casually.
There was no hesitation—none at all.
Model agencies were filled with high-value talent, far denser than traditional media companies. From a system perspective, acquiring it was practically a guaranteed win. Even if the financial return was moderate, the human capital alone made it worthwhile.
And objectively speaking, the company wasn't weak at all. There was even a chance it would outperform expectations.
Olivia, already accustomed to Jason's decisiveness, replied with a single word:
Understood.
Money, when sufficient, made negotiations absurdly simple.
Afterward, Jason sent another message—this time to Grace Miller.
Jason:Grace, do you want to participate in a Model Competition?
Her reply came instantly.
Grace:I'll listen to you, Jason. If you want me on stage, I'll go.
Jason typed back:
It's your choice.If you want to compete, go ahead.If not, just sit with me and watch.
A few seconds later:
Grace:Hehe~ then I won't compete.There's a swimwear segment… and I only want to wear that for you.I'll stay with you and watch the pretty girls together 😌
Jason chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Grace never failed to deliver maximum emotional value—and she did it naturally, without calculation.
The next day, Olivia finalized the deal.
Starlight Fashion Group was officially acquired for $85 million.
Just like that, another powerful company was added to Jason's growing empire.
And as for the seat at the very front of the runway—
It was no longer a matter of reservation.
It now belonged to the owner.
Since Ava still had classes at university and needed to prepare for the upcoming Piano Open, she returned to University to continue her training.
Meanwhile, Jason Carter boarded his Gulfstream G550 and flew straight home.
The moment he stepped out of the airport terminal, a familiar figure waved enthusiastically.
Grace had clearly arrived earlier.
She was wearing fluffy white knee-high boots that accentuated her long legs, her fair knees and thighs partially visible. A fitted white winter coat wrapped snugly around her upper body, and a white fur hat sat lightly on her head, making her look both sexy and adorably soft at the same time.
"Jason, Sister Olivia!" Grace greeted happily, her smile bright. She didn't just greet Jason—she also politely acknowledged Olivia. As she spoke, she naturally hugged Jason's arm, leaning in close, her warmth unmistakable.
Jason smiled faintly."Your flight landed hours earlier. Didn't I tell you not to wait at the airport?"
Grace shook her head gently."It's fine. There's a lounge here, and I'm not familiar with here yet, so I didn't want to wander around alone. Besides…" she lowered her voice slightly, smiling, "…I hadn't seen you for several days. I wanted to see you as soon as possible."
Jason didn't say more."There's still time before the competition. Let's go buy a few things first."
Luxury cars were already waiting outside. Jason, Grace, Olivia, and the bodyguards got in and headed straight for City's largest shopping mall.
Jason himself had little interest in shopping. Clothes, watches, accessories—he already had more than enough. These things had once been necessary to build an image, but now they were no longer essential.
This trip was mainly for Grace.
She was about to appear at a model competition, and Jason intended to refine her overall fashion style. For a woman who devoted herself entirely to him, he never minded spending more effort—or money.
They hadn't walked far inside the mall when a familiar figure appeared ahead.
It was Angela.
Seeing her here wasn't surprising. She was participating in the model competition as well, so shopping beforehand was only natural.
Angela was holding onto the arm of a tall man in his thirties, laughing softly as they talked.
Grace's eyes flickered with mild surprise.
Angela had once been a car model just like her. They had even met Jason at the same auto show back then. The difference was that Grace later seized her chance at the annual gala, while Angela… apparently hadn't stayed long.
It hadn't even been that much time, yet Angela had already moved on.
Grace subconsciously glanced at Jason.
Seeing that his expression remained calm and indifferent, she didn't say anything. Instead, she tightened her hold on his arm slightly—half instinct, half quiet declaration.
At that moment, Angela also noticed them.
Her smile stiffened for a brief second.
Awkwardness flashed across her face, and her first instinct was to turn around and leave. After all, she had once clung closely to Jason, flattering him openly. Running into him now, while standing beside another patron, was undeniably uncomfortable.
But after a second thought, she stopped herself.
They had ended things cleanly. Leaving now would only make her look guilty. Besides, with only one corridor, avoidance was impossible.
So Angela stepped forward and forced a composed smile.
"Mr. Carter, Grace… what a coincidence."
Grace nodded politely, her tone distant but civil."Yes. We're here to watch the model competition and do some shopping beforehand. We'll see you at the event."
She didn't linger.
Grace gently pulled Jason along as they walked past Angela. Throughout the entire exchange, Jason never changed his expression—calm, detached, as if nothing worth noting had happened.
Only after they passed did Angela quietly exhale.
If Jason had reacted, or worse, spoken up, things might have become awkward. She couldn't afford to lose her current top patron.
"Angela, who were they?" the man beside her asked, glancing at Jason and Grace's retreating figures.
"Our company's boss and a colleague," Angela replied smoothly. Then she smiled sweetly and changed the subject."Don't worry about them, Mr. Come on—can you buy me a new lingerie set?"
She tugged his arm and pulled him toward a boutique ahead.
The man frowned slightly, feeling that the way she addressed Jason—Mr. Carter—sounded oddly familiar. But before he could think further, Angela's words distracted him completely.
His thoughts quickly drifted elsewhere.
And just like that, the brief intersection of past and present faded into the noise of the mall—leaving only unspoken tension behind.
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