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The spotlight burned like judgment.

Vanel Lense stood motionless at the center of the runway, heart hammered against his ribs as the cameras flashed in a relentless storm. Seven years of blood, sweat, and starvation had led to this single moment.

The final selection for the face of Aurelius Luxe.

He kept his posture perfect, chin high, the practiced smile locked in place. Around him, dozens of elite models waited in silence. He had outshone them all in the trials and he knew it in his bones. This had to be his.

The massive screen behind the stage glowed with a single name: DYLAN LOPERSE, CEO of Aurelius Luxe

The twenty-nine-year-old brilliant yet ruthless CEO who had built an empire on ice and impeccable taste. He had never once smiled in public.

The audience erupted into applause as Dylan entered. He looked tall and commanding in his black tailored suit, with its silver cufflinks catching the light. His face looked as though it had been carved from a marble and his gray eyes, cold with an unreadable expression.

The room fell deadly silent the moment he took his seat, even the air seemed to freeze.

Vanel swallowed hard. For years, he had studied this man, admired and craved his approval like oxygen. Dylan Loperse wasn’t just a success; he was success itself.

Sharp and untouchable was everything Vanel had bled to become.

The host stepped forward, his voice trembled slightly as he announced. “And now, Mr. Loperse will announce the model for Aurelius Luxe’s new global campaign.”

The entire room held its breath.

Dylan slowly rose, his gaze swept across the line of models like a blade, then settled on Vanel. His heart soared. “Most of you performed adequately,” Dylan said, his voice low and smooth, effortlessly carrying through the auditorium. “However,” His gray eyes locked onto Vanel’s.

“Forgettable.” The word dropped like a guillotine. Vanel blinked and the smile on his face faltered.

“You.” Dylan pointed directly at him. “White suit.”

Every head turned. Whispers rippled through the crowd.

Heat flooded Vanel’s face. “Sir…?”

“You’ve been with us seven years, correct?” Dylan continued, his tone flat.

“Yes, sir.”

“And after seven years, this is the best you can offer?” Dylan adjusted his cufflinks, his movement precise and dismissive "You know what your greatest flaw is?” Dylan’s gaze was cold.

"No matter how expensive the clothes are… you still make them look cheap."

Each word carved deeper. Laughter, quiet and cruel came from a few rival models. Vanel’s fists clenched at his sides. “Sir, I poured everything into this campaign…”

“Hard work doesn’t create talent, Mr. Lense.” Dylan’s voice never rose.  “You’re replaceable.” The silence felt suffocating to the extent that, even the judges shifted uncomfortably.

Dylan picked up a slim folder and passed it to the HR director without looking away from Vanel. “Terminate his contract, effective now.” His world tilted, blood instantly drained from his face. “What…?”

“You’re fired.” Dylan looked away first. His fingers tightened around the folder just enough for the paper to crease but no one noticed.

The words echoed through the auditorium, amplified by the microphones. Security was immediately deployed there. Their heavy hand clamped down on Vanel’s arm.

“No” His voice cracked. It’s been seven years sacrificing his whole life for this. Seven birthdays spent backstage, with Seven New Years working overtime. And seven years believing Aurelius Luxe was home.

But home had just thrown him away. “This company is my life. Please, sir” Someone discreetly raised a phone while others whispered among themselves.

"He's done."

"Seven years wasted.” The photographers who had been taking glamorous pictures moments ago were now recording his downfall.

Dylan’s eyes flickered with the faintest trace of annoyance. “Then find another one.” He instinctively turned away, already done.

As security dragged him toward the exit, Vanel looked back. Hundreds of eyes watched his destruction. No one spoke up or intervened. Seven years of loyalty, all erased in seconds. Under the blinding lights, something inside Vanel finally snapped.

He stopped fighting. A slow, broken smile curved his lips. “One day, Dylan Loperse… you’ll regret throwing me away.” Dylan paused at the edge of the stage as his voice carried across the sudden quiet.

Dylan glanced back and their eyes met, gray ice against burning fury. For a fraction of a second, something unreadable crossed the CEO’s face. He walked off without another word, as if Vanel Lense had already ceased to exist.

                                                ****************

The rain hammered the windshield of the taxi as it sped away from the venue. It disappeared into the rain as Vanel stared blankly through the window.

"One day..."He clenched the termination letter until it crumpled. "You'll regret destroying me” A pair of blinding headlights tore through the curtain of rain.

The taxi driver cursed. "Damn it!" The steering wheel jerked violently. The tyres screamed against the soaked asphalt as the taxi spun sideways. Vanel barely had time to look up.

BOOM!

Metal twisted as the glass exploded. Darkness swallowed everything.