Chapter 185 Wealthy Husband
Emily approached and, with a light smile, extended her right hand. "Miss Watson, would you be interested in working together?"
"Of course!" Natalie replied, her joy unmistakable.
It was a rare occurrence to find someone within the fashion industry who not only understood but also agreed with her decision to prioritize her younger brother over competition. Discovering an agent whose values aligned with hers was exceedingly difficult.
The following hour was dedicated to discussing the specifics of the contract.
HHY's lawyer presented two copies of the contract.
Oliver quickly perused it, managing to sift through the numerous pages in less than a minute. He held the contract in hand as he said in a tone that brooked no argument, “There are five conditions. First, no involvement in scandalous stories; second, no shady dealings; third, apart from modeling-related work, she maintains absolute freedom; fourth, she reserves the right to select her work; fifth, to be determined at a later time."
Demanding so much was one thing but leaving the fifth condition open seemed excessive.
The department head of HHY could not contain his frustration. "What sort of attitude is this? Do you think you’re an international supermodel, or perhaps the chairman's daughter?"
Agreeing to Oliver's conditions would result in the company forfeiting substantial benefits that could have been derived from Natalie. Moreover, their control over her would be significantly diminished. Within such a corporate environment, it was unheard of to transfer opportunities or accolades from one artist to another.
‘This is really too much,’ Natalie thought to herself. She also found Oliver's conditions somewhat excessive. She had seen contracts from other C-list and D-list models at Regal Entertainment Group that were far more restrictive than the initial offer from HHY. However, she refrained from voicing her concerns to Oliver, recognizing that his demands were made in her interest.
"Alright!" Emily responded without hesitation as she looked directly at Oliver.
"Emily!" the department head protested, saying, "This is against company policy! How will the other models react upon discovering this?"
Emily remained unfazed. "Policies are created by individuals. If they are my people, then they follow my rules. Isn't that right?"
The department head, frustrated, turned away in anger.
Natalie had initially believed Oliver's involvement to be merely procedural, underestimating his negotiation prowess, which proved to be on par with HHY's professional legal team.
Ultimately, under Oliver's persistent negotiation, HHY agreed to remove several conditions that placed Natalie at a disadvantage.
"Miss Watson, I’ve been watching you for some time. I trust my judgment, and I’m convinced that someone who was overlooked by Regal Entertainment Group for an entire year possesses the determination and perseverance required to become an international supermodel. I look forward to our successful collaboration!"
"Likewise!"
Natalie exited the office with a smile, contract in hand. Outside of her modeling commitments, she faced no restrictions and returned to Rosewood Estate feeling liberated.
"Oliver, thank you!"
Oliver merely glanced at her, his expression solemn. He pondered over his recent display of emotion, questioning how he had allowed himself to deviate from his usual restrained self.
Since the earth-shattering incident at the age of fifteen, Oliver had mastered the art of concealing his emotions, a strategy that prevented enemies from anticipating his moves. However, everything changed when Natalie was involved.
He believed that Natalie, his wife, should not endure any hardships. If only Natalie could simply enjoy life without the demands of a career.
"Natalie, wait!" Emily called out as they were about to leave HHY's premises.
"Mr. Windsor, may I have a word with Miss Watson in private?"
Oliver, after a moment's consideration, did not object to Emily's request.
Natalie and Emily stepped aside for a private conversation.
"Miss Reed, is there something you wish to discuss?" Natalie inquired.
"Please, just call me Emily."
"Emily." Natalie acquiesced.
Emily's gaze shifted toward Oliver. The man was holding a cigarette between his fingers, his lips lightly wrapped around it as he inhaled, an aura of seductive charm radiating from him. She quickly looked away and turned her attention back to Natalie. "Is he a friend of yours, or perhaps someone sent by your husband?"
Caught off guard by the question, Natalie hesitated to disclose Oliver's true relationship to her. "Why do you ask?"
Emily's attention to detail was evident in her observation. "The cigarette he's smoking, if I’m not mistaken, is Treasurer's, often referred to as the Louis Vuitton of cigarettes. His suit, though devoid of any logos, is unique. It bears a striking resemblance to the aesthetic of a designer I’m familiar with. Furthermore, his ensemble, from his shoes to his watch, cufflinks, tie, and tie clip, appears to be exceptionally expensive, likely running into five figures. The suit is a bespoke haute couture piece so I can’t be certain of its price."
Natalie gulped at how perceptive Emily was. Indeed, Oliver's cigarette was a limited edition from Europe, sold by the stick. His attire and accessories were custom-made by renowned designers, commanding extraordinary prices.
"Emily, can I trust you to keep a secret?" Natalie asked, knowing that Oliver's identity would eventually become known as they worked together.
"Of course," Emily replied.
"He's my husband," Natalie confessed, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
Even the usually composed Emily could not hide her surprise. After a brief pause, she smiled and half-jokingly asked, "He’s the mysterious wealthy husband that the netizens were discussing?"
Natalie responded with a helpless smile, "Yes, that's him. He can be quite temperamental, and I seemed to have upset him earlier today. I appreciate your understanding."
Emily, understanding the nuances of temperamental characters, was not phased. "Let's head back. I'll select a few projects for you to choose from. We have much to look forward to working together."
"Thank you!" Natalie said. Then, she quickly caught up to Oliver, who was becoming visibly impatient. Approaching him, she noticed he extinguished his cigarette mid-smoke and disposed of it in a nearby ashtray.
"That woman is exceptional," Oliver remarked, naturally wrapping an arm around Natalie as they headed toward the parking lot.
Curious, Natalie asked, "How could you tell?"
She had come to the same conclusion during their conversation. Emily's accurate assessments in such a brief encounter hinted at a background steeped in the fashion industry, likely from a young age, suggesting her integration into elite circles.
Oliver remained silent. He had felt a unique presence upon entering the office. Despite the department head's apparent authority, Emily commanded the room, unafraid to meet Oliver's gaze directly.
…
Later that evening, HHY Fashion Company made an unexpected announcement.
The industry buzzed with the news of HHY signing a contract with Natalie and appointing Emily as her manager.
Natalie was the only model that Emily represented, and this stunned many who thought that Natalie's career was over. They did not expect her to sign with a top fashion company, managed by someone as sought-after as Emily. It was a feat many had aspired to but never achieved.