At this point, the reporters all held their breath.
It was the first time Savannah had spoken publicly about her personal feelings.
The secret love affair of the young heiress of the Morton Group was an open secret.
Although Savannah and Dylan had never gone public with their romance, the media couldn't be completely unaware of it. They dared not write about it because of the pressure from the Sterling family.
The media also heard a little about Mr. Sterling's accident in Italy after Miss Schultz accompanied his return to LA by a personal plane a year ago.
It was an unspeakable secret, but it was clear to all that Mr. Sterling seemed not to have recovered until now.
"I pin my hope on the Firebird collections, hoping that he would recover after the launch of the new product, but now," Savannah paused, her eyes dimming with tears and her lips trembling with a lump in her throat. "I'm sorry I don't see any hope. I now declare that the Firebird collections will be my last work. Starting tomorrow, K&G will be closed."
Her words brought on a storm.
"Miss Schultz is going to close K&G? It's so sudden!"
"Yes! K&G is at its peak, and Miss Schultz's talent in fashion design is there for all to see. Otherwise, overseas garment companies would not be attracted to cooperate with you. What a pity to give up!"
"The design masters all say Miss Schultz is a promising fashion designer. With sufficient time, you would definitely be a fashion master. It's a pity to retire like this."
"It means that all of K&G's products designed by Miss Schultz will be unavailable. What a pity!"
Savannah held back her tears and tried to keep a smile on her face. "Sorry I didn't live up to your expectations," she said.
After announcing the most important thing of the evening, she didn't want to say more and turned to leave.
But the reporters were not willing to let her go. They chased after her as they persisted.
"Miss Schultz, please, wait!"
"What's up next for you, Miss Schultz? Are you still engaged in fashion designing?"
"Will you be staying in LA?"
Savannah did not stop in the buzz but headed backstage as Tina and security guards stopped the reporters from crowding up.
Announcing the closure of K&G, she was more depressed than anyone else.
She was not able to be created or design anything else when she lost all hope.
The crowd suddenly grew quiet.
Savannah didn't even have the mood to stop and look back. She walked on until Tina pulled her sleeve.
"Miss Schultz…" Tina stared back, so shocked that she could scarcely form the words.
Then Savannah stopped, turning slowly, followed Tina's eyes, and looked over.
And right now, the reporter below the stage already parted to make a way.
Her gaze reached the entrance of the banquet hall, where a tall figure, supported by Garwood, stood there. He stood still and looked feeble and pale. But as soon as he arrived, he captured everyone's attention.
He gently disengaged his arm from Garwood's, staggering toward Savannah, though he was still frail after lying in bed for a long time.
He stopped under the stage, giving Savannah a weak but soft smile.
"If you couldn't find a job that you like after leaving K&G, would you like the place of my wife?" His voice was clear and husky.
Tina gasped, covering her mouth in surprise. Then she reacted, "Miss Schultz! Mr. Sterling! Mr. Sterling woke up!"
Savannah was still looking silently at the man, as if in a trance. After a pause, she picked up her skirt and walked off the stage to him. She raised her hand, touching his hollow cheek.
It was him.
He was real.
Her trembling fingers moved from his thick eyebrows, the straight bridge of the nose, to the pale lips...
But she could not quite believe it.
It must be a dream.
Like the last time, she dreamed he woke up.
"I'm dreaming again, am I?" She stared at him.
A pain stabbed through Dylan's heart.
This year, she must have had many dreams about his awakening but then had nothing but repeated disappointments.
He lifted her hand and placed it over his c.h.e.s.t, and let her feel his heartbeat.
"It isn't a dream."
His hands were warm.
Still, in disbelief, Savannah held out her wrist, "Then you bite me. I'll see if it hurts."
Dylan couldn't take it anymore. He pulled her into his arms and leaned over to kiss her on her trembling lips.
He wouldn't bite her. That was the only way.
After a short exclamation, everyone fell into a deep silence, as if they didn't have the heart to disturb the scene.
He did not let her go until she was almost out of breath.
After a kiss in front of everyone, she finally realized it was not a dream.
He woke up! He did come back!
Rubbing her swollen lips, Savannah beat her small fists on his c.h.e.s.t, tears streaming down her face.
"Bastard! Why did you wake up so late!" She w.h.i.n.ed over her grievances.
Dylan let her beat him with a weak smile.
Savannah didn't stop until he frowned slightly. She suddenly realized that he had just woken up and must be very weak.
"You fool! Why not dodge? Is it hurt?" She rubbed his c.h.e.s.t gently, worried and regretful.
He seized her by the wrist, pulling her hard into his arms, and said in a low voice, "Don't be angry about me."
"You're really awake, aren't you? How are you feeling now?" She pinched his ears, stroked his hair, and touched his forehead.
The reporters all gasped. There was only one person in the world who could treat Mr. Sterling like a child.
"I'll be okay. Last time I made a promise at my father-in-law's grave that I would take care of you for the rest of my life. I'll never go back on it," he whispered against her ear.
Savannah started, feeling something strange.
Wait a minute.
His promise at her dad's grave?
Did he mean the last time they went together to visit her dad's tomb?