Chapter 113 - First Public Appearance

Months ago, there's this certain individual that has taken the world of commerce by storm after showcasing a somewhat all-knowing character when it comes to setting and predicting trends, starting lines after lines of businesses, and counseling company owners. 

Wynonna Snow. An on-demand investor-counselor and a successful proprietor. 

However, she is a businesswoman who only exists on paper. She isn't a living being. All of her contracts are made through documents that use an untraceable signature. She hires substitutes to serve as her representatives whenever she can't avoid business meetings and other social gatherings.

For tonight, however, Wynonna shall make her appearance for the very first time.

A karaoke bar isn't certainly an ideal setting for the occasion. Even then, the deed must be done now or never. And so, after putting on a sumptuous red cocktail dress, a set of expensive jewelry, a stylish black-and-red Victorian hat, and a feather mask, she went on ahead and graced the place with her exquisite presence.

'Such a revealing dress isn't really my style. It can't be helped, though. If I don't want to be recognized, I have to wear something that isn't Winter-like. My true identity is at stake here.'   

Winter disguises herself as a sophisticated and individualistic lady to fill in the role of Wynonna, a businesswoman who's in search for young talents that she can provide backings to and cultivate. She really can't say that her first target, Lacey, is a hidden gem. Rather than a talent, she has a promising future that she wishes to save before she can blow it up with her naivety and simple-mindedness.

"Now then, where is that little girl?"

At the moment, Winter is looking around for Lacey.

She is drawing attention as she does so like what she expected. Customers and employees alike – they all can't help but turn in her direction. Some are bewildered while others are captivated. They're most probably wondering why she's dressed in such an eye-catching get-up at this kind of place. 

"She's nowhere to be found…" she sighed in exasperation until she came up with an idea.

"Well, if I can't find her, I can just flush her out of hiding." 

Knowing this gossip girl of the city, she'll most likely be intrigued to see Wynonna Snow if she is to scatter the news about her visit. This karaoke bar is filled with people who're undertaking various forms of commerce – sons and daughters of billionaires or even those billionaires themselves, which means that they must've already heard about this mysterious businesswoman. They're not the only ones she can use, though. The employees themselves can serve as a huge help to spread the word.

And so, she reserved the whole balcony near the most crowded place at that building and ordered the bar's most expensive champagne. Then, as soon as she introduced herself as Wynonna Snow, the news of her appearance spread like wildfire. Considering that this is her first time showing herself in public, everyone who knows her is making a big deal about it.     

"Now, dearest Lacey, if you wanna get the scoop, you've got to get out of your coop." 

---

It took Lacey less than half an hour to catch wind of Wynonna Snow's sudden appearance.

And it would've been lesser if she didn't get too caught up in her secret rendezvous with her ex-boyfriend, Jared. Her family and best friends strongly advised her against dating him because of his background. Since he's not as wealthy nor as accomplished as they are, he is said to be not qualified to be her partner. So, she was forced to break up with him.

Unfortunately for her, a certain someone got to witness their 'secret lovers' PDA all the way from the balcony. 

"Oh, isn't that… her ex-boyfriend…?" Winter blurted out the moment she saw Lacey making out with Jared for the last time before joining the crowd to get a glimpse of her.

"This is getting more interesting."

Now that her target has arrived, she finally stepped out of the balcony and let everyone there get a good view of her. With her mask on, though, no one can completely tell how she looks like. Before they start to gather around her, which is only a matter of time, she makes her way towards her aim.

"Say, you're Ms. Lacey Park, aren't you?" Winter asked with a smile.

"Y-Yes, Ma'am. It's nice to meet you…" Lacey answered, astonished.

"And you're Ma'am Wynonna Snow, right?"

"Yeah. That's right. Care to join me for a drink?" 

It went without saying. So, she nodded, ecstatic. 

She's sure that Lacey isn't just after some scoop from her. She'll probably talk about business as well. After all, even the Park's have been wanting to sign a partnership with her. Since she's become known for being a business counselor for the Lexington's, the Ratri's, and the Miller's, it is to be expected that she'll be sought after by other companies.

Yet again, unfortunately for her, Winter isn't going to let her do the business-talking here.

"I'm so honored to be joining you tonight, Ma'am Snow. I heard so many great things about you…" Lacey started as she took her seat at the side, going on a round of typical pleasantries.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is your first time appearing in public, right?"

"Yes. This is my first time going out like this. That's why I don't feel like spending the night alone…" Winter said and grinned, acting amicable.   

"I approached you in particular because I've been hearing a lot about the Park's lately."

"Really?! I'm pleased to know that my family is able to attract your attention. My father and my brothers really want to meet you, you see. If you don't mind, can we exchange numbers-"

"Wait, Ms. Park. I believe you're misunderstanding something. You did attract my attention, but that is out of concern rather than interest."

Lacey seems taken aback by that. Winter isn't really fond of beating around the bush, so she'll have to cut to the chase. With that, she addresses the issue at last.

"More specifically, I've heard things about your younger brothers. Being the eldest child and sole daughter, you must really have it bad, Ms. Park," Winter brought up while regarding Lacey with worry and sympathy.

"O-Oh, my younger brothers? What about them?"

She's so easy to read. Even though she hasn't said anything yet, she's starting to get nervous.

This is exactly why she chooses to stay as Bianca's lackey even though she has potential. Her head may be filled with valuable information and even secrets, but her lack of confidence and insecurity always get the best of her. Seeing how she's become tense at the mention of her siblings alone, she must already have an idea of what she's about to say.

"Among the many properties that the Park family owns, one of the most significant assets is said to be this society club that's located near the outskirts of the city. Do you know about this, Ms. Park?" Winter inquired.

"T-The society club? Oh, yes. I-It belongs to the eldest son now," Lacey stammered out.

"It's a three-storey establishment that's being used as a venue for men's recreations. Women are not allowed to enter – or so I've heard." 

"T-That's because my brother wants to promote a sense of camaraderie among that gender group. The club is boasted as a source of pride for men like him."

"Pride for men, huh? Does that involve playing around with prostitutes?" 

"Excuse me?" 

"I'm aware, you know. Judging by the fact that the only women who are allowed in there are prostitutes, I don't even wish to imagine what type of debauchery is happening in that place. For ladies, it's supposed to be an embarrassment that shouldn't be flaunted around."           

Lacey looks humiliated.

Even she is ashamed about what her family members are doing. Winter can't blame her, though. She knows that she can't do anything about it, anyway. Even though she's the firstborn child, she is powerless in a clan that is dominated by men.

Bringing up her family's nasty side isn't enough, though. She needs to drive her to a wall even if it means dragging her to a series of rude awakenings. Besides, she knows that she herself can't tolerate the kind of image that her siblings are giving her because of their stupidity and shamelessness. 

"One more thing. I've heard that you're going to inherit that 'manor' in the future," Winter continued. 

"J-Just how do you…? Where do you keep hearing all of these from…?" Lacey asked, unnerved and perplexed. 

"A-And how did you know about my inheritance?"

"I didn't become Wynonna Snow for nothing, Ms. Park. I've got my own sources." 

"Sources? Wait, were you trying to invade my privacy-" 

"More importantly, I did say that I approached you out of concern, right? I'll let you in on something. Your privacy should be the least of your worries as far as I'm concerned. In fact, you should be grateful that I know so much. Otherwise, you'll end up losing everything to that family of yours."     

From thereon, Winter, in the guise of Wynonna Snow, began to plant more seeds.