Chapter 355: The Spirit of the Times

Every year, during the second week of June, Bentley, a southern city in the Baylor Federation, hosts a week-long fashion week.

This wasn’t always the case, but since recent years when summer new collections started debuting here together, it gradually became a trend and atmosphere.

Those who come from all over the country and even the world don’t realize the real reason behind gathering here for various fashion shows: to save money.

Hiring models or supermodels for a single show is expensive, but when many companies and individuals join forces, the cost drops significantly.

Over time, more people joined, influence grew, and the event spread, becoming an important holiday in the fashion world.

For ordinary people, though, this is far removed from their daily lives.

Lynch traveled two days by train to get here. To ease the discomfort of a long journey, he rented a private carriage, yet he still felt mentally exhausted in the cramped space.

But the moment he stepped off the train, a rare energy surged through him. He found a bar, had some drinks, and then slept soundly at his hotel until the next morning.

The ringing phone by his bedside jolted him awake. He sighed and picked up.

“You’re late, Lynch!” Severella’s slightly annoyed voice came through. They had planned breakfast together and to visit Liora that morning to see the latest designer collections and pick accessories for the girl’s autumn wardrobe.

For the poor, as long as their clothes weren’t torn enough to cause shame, they wouldn’t throw them away or buy new ones.

They had to save money for bills or emergencies.

Fashion and trends seemed pointless, flashy, and impractical to them.

This attitude is widespread; ordinary people’s lives are the real mainstream because they are the majority.

But no matter their attitude, fashion remains fashion, trends remain trends, just like technological progress serves a small elite.

An expensive earring might only be worn once or twice before being forgotten. Ordinary people can’t afford that—only the wealthy can. That is fashion. That is trend.

Severella’s family gave her the means to enjoy this. She was happy, but Lynch’s lateness upset her.

It was the first time she had taken the initiative to invite someone, and they were late.

Everyone else had always been punctual—except Lynch.

Lynch half-heartedly got out of bed, showered, dressed in simple clothes, and went to the hotel restaurant.

Ten o’clock—a curious time.

Too late to be called morning, yet not quite noon.

He grabbed an apple for breakfast and sat beside Severella.

She repeated, “You’re late!”

Lynch shrugged. “Yes, I’m late.”

Her eyes widened; she should have been angry, but Lynch didn’t apologize like a gentleman or seem to care.

Strangely, her anger faded. She even found excuses for him: he was tired after two days on the train, the hotel bed might have kept him awake, it wasn’t his fault. And that he was already making time for her, which was rare.

She stood, linked her arm with his, and said, “Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep the designers waiting.”

“They probably won’t mind,” Lynch mumbled, still chewing the apple.

Indeed, although they arrived around 10:40, the two Liora designers were not offended. They felt honored.

Severella was Mr. Wadrick’s daughter, and she always tried to avoid special treatment but never quite managed.

“I heard you have some bold designs…” she said, quickly becoming engaged.

Liora, a well-known luxury brand in the Federation, naturally offered high-end services—tailored designs exclusive to privileged clients, with only one handcrafted piece produced per design to ensure uniqueness.

Items from catalogs or counters were no different to elite consumers than cheap roadside fashion.

It was a long process. Two top Liora designers introduced their concepts and showed sketches.

This year was special. The Federation was shedding past isolationism and integrating into the global environment. Though seemingly distant, this was subtly shaping everyone’s lives.

This year’s skirts were shorter and bolder.

Most safety shorts were trimmed with lace. Women’s lingerie broke all previous conventions in color and style—everything became daring.

With courage to overcome past fears and embrace the world, old ideas broke down, making way for freshness.

Fashion is both distant and close—like politics.

By noon, Severella finished with the designers and ordered many small accessories—the side dishes, not the main course.

This short time cost over seventy thousand Sol.

Liora’s manager invited them to lunch at an exclusive private restaurant. Having the Wadrick daughter wear their jewelry was more effective advertising than any campaign.

People trust celebrity choices, just like politicians’ private doctors and the public acknowledgment of private health insurance.

People claim they aren’t influenced by others in important choices, yet are influenced again and again.

After lunch, they attended three fashion shows. The runway was filled with shocking, daring, and avant-garde designs—exactly the themes this fashion week was meant to showcase.

Everyone wore a very distinct expression—smiling, as if feeling the beauty of the era.

Yet there was also confusion, a kind of helpless uncertainty.

On the fifth day of Bentley Fashion Week, Lynch focused on a very special show.

The organizer was a well-known but emerging fashion brand in the Federation. They had always fallen short of the top tier—lacking heritage and innovation—but this time, they were about to change completely.

Lynch was noticeably enthusiastic, which made Severella, sitting beside him, curious. “What’s your connection to this company?” she asked but quickly dismissed the thought.

From her time with Lynch, he didn’t seem like someone who chased trends. His clothes were somewhat old-fashioned, too steady and mature, lacking change—he wasn’t a fashion-forward person.

“Maybe there’s a model you know in this show?” she pressed, looking at him with a subtle challenge.

Lynch just smiled and explained, “I’m one of the shareholders. What you’re about to see will challenge many people’s perceptions.”

“I’m excited! Can you give me a hint?” she asked.

He shook his head, wanting to keep the mystery until the end.

Minutes later, most attendees had arrived, and the changing lights signaled the start.

By tradition, the brand’s ambassador or a company figure would say a few words—but instead, the show began with the roar of beasts.

Real roars. The sound of lions echoed, instantly draining the color from the faces of the stylish crowd on either side of the runway. Without poison, the ladies turned pale as snow; some even stood and fled toward the exit.

Severella gripped Lynch’s hand tightly. The primal dominance from higher in the food chain sent chills through everyone.

Lynch comforted her briefly, and soon, cages containing lions and other wild beasts were pushed out from backstage.

These cages were set at the back of the runway, like a backdrop.

Designers often change backdrops to better match their concepts, but the Federation had never before brought wild beasts onto the runway.

The animals paced anxiously in their cages, growling occasionally, as if venting their frustration.

The theme of the show was Wild.