Chapter Thirty-One: No Need for Guilt

“Heh!” Bai Yuan let out a contemptuous laugh through her nose, her mocking gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Pei Susu’s face.

“President Pei, your employees, without distinguishing right from wrong, are attempting to use this matter to slander me, a nationally renowned actress. Is this how your company treats its collaborative spokesperson?”

“You...” The team wanted to argue further, but Pei Susu, her expression calm, stopped them.

“Miss Bai, I will investigate this incident thoroughly and give you an explanation. Would you be willing to change into another gown and proceed with the shoot?”

The incident had already occurred; no amount of debate could change that. The shoot was urgent, and solving this first would give Pei Susu time to investigate later.

Fortunately, Pei Susu had anticipated such issues before the shoot and prepared backup gowns, so there was no fear of being unable to proceed.

“Is it an exclusive design?” Bai Yuan’s gaze lazily swept over the backup gown brought by the staff at Pei Susu’s request, her privileged eyes showing deep disdain.

She clicked her tongue. “President Pei, are you trying to fool me with such rubbish? Do you look down on Bai Yuan, a minor celebrity like me?”

Here, Bai Yuan paused subtly, waiting until all eyes were on her before she continued, slow and unhurried, “Is this your attitude towards your work?”

Her clever phrasing paired with two sharp, sensitive questions—no matter how Pei Susu answered, she would be left with something for others to criticize.

“Miss Bai, I think you’ve misunderstood.” Pei Susu’s beautiful eyes shifted slightly, and she smiled, deftly steering the conversation back to the matter at hand.

“Although this gown isn’t an exclusive design, it is from a renowned brand both domestically and internationally. The sky-blue daffodil dress has received excellent feedback in sales, and many actresses have worn it on the runway. Its reputation is in no way inferior to exclusive designs.”

Under shimmering light, the sky-blue gown, wrapped in a transparent dust cover, fluttered in the breeze. The sequined fabric rippled like receding tides, or stars swirling through the cosmos, dazzling and magnificent.

Two bright diamonds, each the size of an eyeball, adorned the chest, reflecting sparkling light, like stars shining in the universe—simply breathtaking.

Yet, no matter how perfect the gown, it could never satisfy someone determined to find fault.

“President Pei, are you saying that Bai Yuan is inferior to those lesser actresses?” Bai Yuan raised her brows arrogantly, her forcing gaze fixed directly on Pei Susu’s calm face, her tone accusatory.

“Not only do you insult me with this trash, but you also attack my character. I demand that you apologize to me, President Pei, and publish an apology statement on the Fu Corporation’s official website!”

At this, Pei Susu had not yet reacted, but the team erupted.

“If everyone else can wear it, why can’t you? What, are you nobler than the rest?”

“Tch, not much fame, but a big temper.”

“Why should President Pei apologize to you? Who do you think you are?”

It was one thing for her to act out and play diva, but targeting President Pei? That was unacceptable.

“Is this President Pei’s position?” Ignoring the voices around her, Bai Yuan smiled calmly at Pei Susu.

Let them curse—it only escalated the incident. The more intense things became, the worse it would be for Pei Susu, the person in charge!

Pei Susu was clearly aware of this, yet—

She did not stop her team!

Standing there, she already represented the reputation of the Fu Corporation. If she yielded to a talentless, unprincipled actress, would the Fu Corporation not become a doormat for anyone?

“Miss Bai!” Pei Susu’s eyelids lifted slightly, a passing chill flickering across her eyes, making hearts tremble. “I hope you understand that where you stand now belongs to my Fu Corporation.”

The implication: If you want to make trouble, first consider whether you have the strength.

“You, are you threatening me?”

Bai Yuan’s arrogant mask cracked for a moment, but as she remembered her own influential background, it quickly mended. Her chin lifted like a dagger, as if to stab Pei Susu from afar, her smile wild and unrestrained.

“President Pei, I hope you can maintain this rebellious attitude tomorrow.”

“I look forward to seeing your reaction tomorrow~”

She curled her lips in a smile, turned, and left with her assistant, paying no heed to today’s shooting schedule, failing to notice the subtle curve at Pei Susu’s rosy lips, as if some goal had already been achieved.

With Bai Yuan’s departure, the shoot was inevitably forced to halt.

Though the team had vented earlier, with the shoot unfinished, they now clustered anxiously around Pei Susu, faces full of guilt.

“President Pei, maybe we should go and apologize to her?”

“Yes, we only have three days. If she keeps delaying like this and we can’t finish shooting, you’ll be in trouble, President Pei.”

They all knew how important this shoot was. Their tempers had run hot earlier, and they hadn’t thought things through, only wanting to defend their own President Pei. Now, looking back, they were filled with dread, fearing their impulsiveness had ruined Pei Susu’s grand plans.

If that were so, they could never forgive themselves.

“It’s alright.”

Under the soft glow, Pei Susu’s delicate face blossomed with a smile as radiant as gemstones, her voice warm and reassuring: “By standing here, we uphold Fu Corporation’s reputation. There’s no need for guilt or sorrow.”

Before long, Bai Yuan herself would come back, begging to resume the shoot.

The next day.

At dawn, Pei Susu arrived at a private couture gown studio run by a highly renowned designer.

The studio was spacious, decorated in ancient Greek style, exuding elegance. Two rows of sculptures, priceless murals, and an atmosphere steeped in art greeted her.

“Hello, I’m Pei Susu, I made an appointment yesterday.”

Pei Susu had no time to appreciate the ambiance; her perfectly curved lips formed a polite smile as she strode towards the assistant waiting by the door.

“I’d like to ask if Master JK is in? I hope he can design a gown for me.”

Although Pei Susu already had ways to deal with Bai Yuan, being prepared could never hurt.

“Miss Pei, I’m very sorry. Master JK only designs one outfit per year, and this year’s slot has already been reserved.”

The assistant, smiling, revealed the unalterable truth.

“I see.” Pei Susu’s smile faltered for a moment, pausing in place, but she did not lose composure. She quickly regained her smile and bid farewell politely: “In that case, I won’t take up any more of your time.”

Time was tight; Bai Yuan’s issue and the matter of the gown both awaited her solution.

“Please, Miss Pei, feel free.”

Fu Corporation, conference room.

Upon returning, Pei Susu gathered the entire advertising department.

For two whole hours, no one knew what was discussed, but judging from their expressions as they left, the oppressive atmosphere from Bai Yuan’s refusal to shoot had dissipated completely.

It was clear that Pei Susu had already begun to respond to Bai Yuan’s refusal.