The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

Kofi drove Klaus to the restaurant where he and his friends had dinner a few days ago. When he arrived, everyone was already there. Seeing them brought a smile to Klaus's face, and they seemed just as happy to see him. After a few more quick greetings, they all left together in the same transportation.

Lucy had mentioned that her friend lived in the Northern section of Ross City, which meant the trip would take about three hours. This gave Klaus enough time to ask some of the questions that had been bothering him.

"So, Lucy," Klaus began, breaking the silence, "about this fashion designer friend of yours... Aside from being her model for the new brand, what else would she need from me?"

Lucy looked thoughtful for a moment, then replied, "Honestly, being her model is the main thing. But knowing her, she'll probably want to discuss the details—like how much time you'll need to dedicate, any specific events or shows she'll want you to attend, and how you'll represent the brand. She's very creative, but she's also very particular about the image she wants to project."

Klaus nodded, thinking it over. "That makes sense. I'm just wondering how it's all going to work, with everything else I have going on."

Lucy smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. She's flexible and understands people have other commitments. I'm sure she'll work around your schedule. And honestly, she's excited about the opportunity to work with someone like you."

Klaus raised an eyebrow. "Someone like me? What does that mean?"

Lucy laughed. "You're unique, Klaus. You've got this presence about you—strong but humble. Plus, with your recent accomplishments, you're starting to get noticed. She thinks you'd be a perfect fit for her brand."

"Well, I don't know about humble," Klaus said with a small smile, "but I'll do my best to give her a good impression."

Lucy grinned. "Don't sell yourself short, Klaus. You're unique. Sure, there are plenty of people out there trying to look the part—dying their hair white and all that—but yours is natural. You've got this charisma that can't be faked. I bet Nadia will jump for joy when she finds out you're willing to work with her."

Klaus raised an eyebrow at her enthusiasm. "Well, with you as my agent," he said teasingly, "I'm sure I'll be more than happy working with her."

Lucy chuckled and shook her head. "You won't regret it, Klaus. Trust me, Nadia's got big plans, and you're going to be a part of something really exciting."

Klaus couldn't help but smile at her optimism. "Alright then, I'm looking forward to seeing what this is all about. Let's make it happen."

After three and a half hours of riding, they finally reached the Northern Region Borders. No one stopped them for any checks since the car had been cleared long before they even entered the Northern Region. Klaus learned that Ross City was divided into four regions, each under the control of the powerful Ross Brothers.

Daven Ross, the head of the Ross Family, had three sons and two daughters. However, Anna and Lucy had no interest in ruling any part of the city, so the Western, Southern, and Northern regions were entrusted to the three brothers, while Daven Ross himself managed the Eastern Region.

But just because Anna and Lucy weren't rulers didn't mean they lacked influence. Their presence was still felt throughout the city, even without official titles as rulers, they were still influential. After passing through the border, Klaus and the others made their way to the headquarters of Nucci Fashion Trend X.

Klaus had expected something impressive, but when they finally arrived at the headquarters, he was completely blown away. The building wasn't just grand—it was beyond anything he could have imagined. The design was sleek and modern, with towering glass structures and stylish architectural elements that screamed luxury.

The whole place exuded elegance and sophistication, and it was clear this was the epicenter of fashion in Ross City.

Klaus felt a little out of place at first, but he quickly reminded himself that he was here for a reason. He had been invited, and that was all that mattered. As they entered the building, the atmosphere was abuzz with activity. Designers, models, and staff moved about with activities, creating a lively and energetic environment.

The interior of the headquarters was just as impressive as the exterior, with open spaces, bright lighting, and displays of the latest fashion trends lining the walls. Klaus couldn't help but admire the creativity and artistry around him. The whole place seemed to pulse with inspiration.

As they were led further into the building, Klaus began to understand just how influential Nucci Fashion Trend X was. This wasn't just a fashion brand; it was a symbol of style and status. And to think he was now being introduced to this world made him feel both excited and a little nervous.

Anna and Lucy seemed right at home, and so did Kay, Mark, Kilian, Danny, Daniel, Asha, Nia, and Lily. However, Klaus and Hanna were a little rattled, but with so many of their friends with them, they quickly integrated themselves into their new environment.

Klaus smiled as he watched Lucy quietly set up her recording device, clearly excited to capture her friend's reaction. The head designer, who had been leading them, seemed equally eager to see how the surprise would unfold. Klaus had noticed earlier how lively everyone became when they saw him, their smiles and energy almost contagious.

It made him realize that his presence held more influence than he had ever imagined. For the first time, Klaus felt the weight of his growing reputation, and it was both humbling and exhilarating. Γн*іѕ?-&іՏ%-#∂%-!

As they entered the lift and ascended to the highest floor of the headquarters building, Klaus found himself wondering where this new path would lead him. The thrill of the unknown filled him with excitement. When the doors opened and they stepped out onto the highest floor, the head designer led them to a sleek meeting room.

Lucy positioned herself discreetly, ready to catch her friend's reaction on camera. They didn't have to wait long. Within moments, the door opened and a young woman with short violet hair and slightly dark eyes rushed in, her steps quick and light. Clearly, she was thrilled to see her friend.

"Lucy, why didn't you tell me you were—" She started to greet Lucy but froze mid-sentence. Her eyes landed on Klaus, and she stopped dead in her tracks, her face showing nothing but surprise.

"Pretty Boy!" she said, almost losing her balance as she stumbled forward in shock. Lucy quickly stifled a laugh, her camera catching every moment of her friend's stunned expression.

Klaus grinned, standing there with an amused look on his face. "Nice to meet you too," he said with a teasing tone.

The woman quickly regained her composure, her cheeks flushing slightly from her near fall. She smoothed her clothes, trying to play it off. "You could have warned me!" she said, shooting Lucy a mock glare before turning back to Klaus. "I wasn't expecting... you."

"Well, here I am," Klaus said with a chuckle. "Surprise."

Lucy finally burst into laughter, satisfied with how everything had played out. "This is my friend Klaus," she introduced. "And judging by your reaction, I think the surprise was a success."

The young woman nodded, still looking a little starstruck. "I'm Nadia Hemsworth," she said, holding out her hand to Klaus. "I've heard a lot about you, but I wasn't expecting to meet you today."

Klaus shook her hand, his grip firm but gentle. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Nadia. I also heard some great things about you"

"Oh really, do tell," Nadia said as she settled down beside Klaus, her bright eyes sparkling with curiosity. It was easy to see she was lively, the kind of person who jumped into conversations without hesitation.

Klaus chuckled at her boldness and glanced at Lucy. "Well, I heard you're quite the beauty," Klaus said playfully. "And now that I see you, I guess Lucy wasn't lying."

Nadia laughed, clearly pleased but not flustered. "So Lucy's been talking about me, huh?" she teased, nudging Lucy, who rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Of course I did," Lucy responded with a light grin. "How could I not?"

Klaus smiled at the easy banter between them. He could already tell that Nadia had a strong, cheerful personality, and he appreciated how relaxed the atmosphere felt. All the nervousness he was feeling vanished.

Klaus quickly introduced everyone, and the group began to relax, settling into a more comfortable rhythm as they shared stories about their lives and adventures. To Klaus's surprise, he discovered that Nadia wasn't just lively—she was a GrandMaster stage Expert and an incredibly wealthy young lady.

Aside from owning the Nucci fashion brand, she also managed several companies focused on different aspects of fashion, making her one of the most influential figures in the industry.

As they talked more, Klaus learned that Lucy was one of Nadia's investors. The two had been best friends since childhood, and their connection went beyond friendship; they had built a strong business relationship over the years. Klaus was further impressed to find out that Nadia ranked in the top ten on the Northern Union's Young Billionaire chart.

Her wealth and influence were on a level Klaus hadn't anticipated.

This raised his expectations for their upcoming discussion. If all went well, Klaus believed that their negotiations could lead to a fruitful partnership. He could already imagine the potential opportunities that could arise from working with someone like Nadia. The thought filled him with excitement, though he kept his composure.

"Although I don't like to underestimate anyone," Klaus said, his tone genuine, "I have to admit, Nadia, you're far more amazing than I initially expected."

Nadia grinned at the compliment, her confidence shining through. "Thank you, Klaus. But I believe everyone here is impressive in their own way. We all have our strengths."

Klaus nodded, appreciating her humility despite her achievements. He could tell that working with her could be a game-changer, and he was eager to see what would come next from their collaboration.