Author's pov
"Understood. Everything is ready."
Aria's response was steady as her gaze swept across the models lined up in perfect formation. Only now did the weight of the moment truly settle over her.
She'd never cared much about fame or fortune, but tonight? Tonight, failure wasn't an option. Her designs were about to be unveiled under the world's most critical spotlight. She wouldn't allow anything less than perfection.
"Iris, you've got this!" Max gave her one final pep talk, his voice brimming with conviction. "We all believe in you. We believe in Winter Sonata. But you need to believe in yourself too. You're the best there is."
Aria nodded, raising her hand to exchange a firm high-five with Max. "Let's do this."
As the designer, her role wasn't to dazzle on the r
