Chapter 332 - DONT UNLOCK. WRONG CHAPTER. WRONG BOOK ;-;

The private villa was buzzed with the celebrities in attendance. There was no media to cover the highly secluded event but the news of the party had leaked anyway. Ample amount of security had been dispatched to keep the reporters at bay as the guests inside enjoyed the charity ball which would be followed by an auction. Only a few cameramen were invited to capture the moments in the party.

Jung Semi stepped out of the limo followed by Yoona who was the center of attention. The guests turned their heads to see the mother-daughter entering the ball. Yoona wore a simple white off-shoulder dress with her hair left loose in soft curls. She put on a little bit of makeup, highlighting her red lips while looking down in a shy manner while her mother wore a backless mauve dress, emphasizing her perfect figure. Semi's hair was tied into an elegant bun and she smiled at the guests while her daughter merely nodded at everyone.

The host of the party, Choi Shim, came up to them and kissed Semi on both cheeks.

"Welcome to our small gathering!" he greeted her. "We are so honored to have you here, ma'am."

"Not at all!" Semi laughed. "I'm glad to be here. I couldn't resist after hearing that the earnings from the auctions would be donated to the poor children in the third world countries! You know how much I care for the education of children. My heart could not resist this invitation at all."

But Shim's eyes fell on Yoona. "Isn't this…"

He stepped closer to Yoona who was smiling at him.

"I knew it!" he exclaimed. "You must be Sung Yoona! The most popular trainee in the country!"

"You flatter me too much, sir," she said with a glow. "I'm merely following my small dreams."

"And yet, your hard work persevered!" Shim laughed. Semi pursed her lips as Shim led Yoona to the center of the party. Some of the guests gathered around to praise her talent, making Yoona blush harder while Semi watched her daughter basking in the glory. Many of the people in attendance were top level executives and directors of reputed companies and were already giving her offers for endors.e.m.e.nts.

"Your daughter sure is something!" Shim mused. "Her presence in the party only amplified our brand value."

"Precisely why I brought her here," Semi stated. "She's useful at times."

She spoke as if she was making a business deal. Her voice held no emotion other than a bluntness which surprised Shim. 

"Her popularity will further our causes especially abroad," Semi was saying, picking up a drink from a nearby server. "I believe that you are looking for an ambassador with an innocent face and personality? She would be perfect! The v.i.r.g.i.n angel of the country who is also an idol."

"She's not an idol yet though," Shim pointed out.

"She will become a star within the next few days," Semi claimed. "She's going to get that solo debut anyway."

Shim frowned at the woman's confidence but did not comment. Semi strode off to find more investors for her daughter who would become the biggest star of the country, probably even bigger than EXOTIC. She had followed Yoona's success so far, analyzing her daughter's bankability. If her daughter could attract the right investors, Semi knew she could strengthen her grip within the Black Rose. If she got more powerful backing, then one day, she would be able to top the most powerful Sun the Black Rose ever had.

All I'll have to do is play my cards wisely, she smirked.

She was talking to a few of the potential sponsors while Yoona was being dragged to take pictures with various celebrities. The latter was a pro at posing for the cameras and engaged in discussions with the people around her, charming them with her shy nature.

Suddenly, one of the cameramen shouted and pointed at the entrance.

"Isn't that the Summer Princess and Ice Prince?" he exclaimed. Suyeon and Semin entered the party together. Semin looked around, marveling at the high profile party she had been invited to while Suyeon looked bored.

"This place is so beautiful!" she squealed. "I never thought they would invite me here!"

"They wouldn't have if you weren't one of the top contenders," Suyeon sighed but Semin was not listening. She was gaping at the famous celebrities who had turned up.

"That's Lee Tanshin!" she gasped. "The greatest actor of all time! And that's Chun Mihee! The supermodel who walked international ramps and that's-"

The rest of her words were drowned out by the swarming of cameras which flashed at them, trying to capture the dashing couple who had walked in. Semin was almost blinded by the lights but managed to hide her surprise and posed happily for them while Suyeon merely gave an icy smile. 

Semin wore a soft blue long sleeved dress which reached till her knees. Her hair was tied into a double braid bun while strands of her hair were let loose on her face, amplifying her youthful appearance. Her makeup was kept nude as the personal styling team assigned to her by Cherry Pie's CEO insisted on focusing on her natural charisma to do the PR work for her. Semin did not understand what they meant by that but she went along with it, thinking it sounded like fun. Instead of heels, she wore matching ballet flats which made the height difference between her and Suyeon jarringly clear, but this only endeared them more to the cameras.

Suyeon was annoyed not only at the unnecessary attention but also at the fact that their styling team, again assigned by the Red Lady, insisted on making him wear matching colors with Semin. He was given, thankfully, a dark navy blue suit but it clung to his body which made him uncomfortable. At least the styling team agreed not to make him wear any tie and he unbuttoned the top three buttons on his shirt to at least breathe. He thought this would make the cameras turn away from him for a while but to his annoyance, they only took more pictures of him.

"Isn't that Yoona unnie?" Semin asked, noticing that Yoona was at a corner, watching them. There was a strange look on Yoona's 'angelic' face which made Suyeon smirk. Putting his arm around Semin, startling the latter, he flashed a large smile at the cameras.

"What are you doing?" she whispered.

"Just shut up and smile!" he gritted through his teeth, smiling at the cameras which went wild.

Semin blinked and turned back to the camera for more poses before adding to him in a hushed tone, "Despite the shipping wars, you do know I'm only fifteen, right? Flirting with a minor is creepy!"

"Don't worry," Suyeon whispered back. "No one will flirt with you even when you turn into an a.d.u.l.t."

Semin resisted the urge to hit his head but with so many people, it was difficult to do it. Besides, she could not reach that high without kicking him on his foot first.

Suyeon watched in satisfaction as Yoona was infuriated beyond words and her feelings were showing on her face. He flashed a smirk at her, challenging her to do whatever she wanted.

Because he would stop her at all costs.