Chapter 278 Tenderness
"Go and apologize to her!"
Just minutes before Storme brought Lily to apologize, Emily had discovered that Lily had accidentally encountered Mrs. Watson. earlier.
"Emily, Natalie, I’m truly sorry. Lily made a mistake today. She didn’t recognize Mrs. Watson and thought she was one of Natalie's relatives with an urgent matter. That’s why she brought her in. We came to apologize!"
Storme, as a top agent at HHY, possessed excellent skills and high emotional intelligence.
Lily sincerely apologized to Natalie, reinforcing Storme's explanation.
Emily and Natalie exchanged a subtle glance.
‘They’re surely lying!’
Emily's smile remained unchanged as she said, "What a coincidence indeed! Lily brought in Mrs. Watson to create a scene. It seems even the security guards didn’t hear anything. If I hadn’t made the call, they might not have come at all."
‘What did she mean by ‘Lily brought in Mrs. Watson to create a scene’? Emily really knew how to strike a nerve!’
Storme had learned about Lily bribing the security guards on their way over and reprimanded her once again. But now, prompted by Emily, Storme had to downplay the issue.
"That was really a coincidence," Storme said, "The company had previously given Lily a chance to audition for a Givenchy fashion show. This time, Natalie shone on the runway. Perhaps we should give this opportunity to Natalie?"
Lily's eyes widened in astonishment, and she was about to refuse, but Storme's glare silenced her.
"Sure, thank you!" Natalie accepted with a smile.
The matter seemed to be resolved.
Lily, filled with discontent, confronted Storme upon returning to the office.
"Storme, the chance to audition for Givenchy is highly sought after. That was my first opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious brand's show. Why would you give it to Natalie? Can she even pass the audition?"
"Do you think I wanted to give it to her? It’s because of your own foolish actions! Emily has evidence of your attempt to bribe the security guards. If I don’t offer her any benefits, she will escalate the issue to the higher-ups. In that case, who do you think the leaders will support? Me or Emily?” Storme said grumpily, "Learn to be smarter before taking action next time!"
Storme did not explicitly say, "Do not lay a hand on Natalie."
Both he and Emily were top agents at the company, and competing for resources was not unusual.
…
Natalie gave Emily a big thumbs up and said, "Emily, you’re amazing. You helped me secure a big opportunity!"
Emily smiled and said, "Thank Lily for her impulsive actions!"
Natalie briefly explained her issues with Lily to Emily—one was overshadowing Lily during their school days, and the other was the recent fashion show.
Initially, Natalie did not pay much attention to it, but Lily was petty. She had held a grudge until now.
Emily told Natalie, "Lily is also your fellow alumnus, and now she’s a top model. 'Fun Challenge' is a major production, and Lily will most likely participate to boost her popularity. If you don’t want to work with her, we can refuse it."
"No need," Natalie replied nonchalantly, "In the industry, it’s inevitable for us to cross paths. I don’t want to give up an opportunity that will let me graduate early just because of one person."
Emily had a meeting in the afternoon, so after discussing matters, she planned to send Natalie downstairs and arrange for one of the company's available drivers to take her back to the Rosewood Estate. Just as they reached the lobby, Jamie stood up from the couch and walked toward Natalie.
"Natalie, is your work meeting over?" Jamie asked with a smile, then whispered, "Oliver is waiting outside to pick you up."
Emily glanced at Jamie a few more times.
Oliver's subordinate seemed intriguing, far more eloquent than Charles. He must have been a troublemaker during his school days.
"Oliver is here?!" Natalie exclaimed in surprise and delight, a lovely smile appearing on her face.
Jamie nodded with a smile. At last, her expression was different from before.
In the past, she would only be surprised, but there was never such a pure and genuine smile.
"Go on, you don’t need someone to accompany you anymore."
Emily bade farewell to Natalie and watched them leave before turning and heading back upstairs to her office.
"Emily, who was that?" an employee in the company lobby asked curiously.
Everyone had noticed. Despite Jamie's conservative attire, his demeanor toward Natalie was one of utmost respect. Most importantly, he was wearing an Armani suit! What kind of employee would wear an Armani suit?
"Don’t inquire about matters that don’t concern you. Focus more on your work and less on idle gossip," Emily advised as she raised an eyebrow at the employee.
The employee smiled nervously in response.
The surrounding crowd dared not probe further, though they had already speculated that the man must be connected to the elusive Mr. Oliver Windsor.
…
Outside the HHY Building, a Rolls-Royce Phantom awaited in the square.
Oliver emerged from the car and stood by the passenger door, smoking. Through the swirling smoke, his handsome features appeared almost ethereal, illuminated by the soft glow of the winter sun. Draped in a knee-length coat, he exuded the elegance of an aristocrat from a bygone era.
A few daring HHY employees discreetly followed Natalie and watched.
Natalie descended the steps outside the main entrance, her pace quickened, evolving from a walk to a near run. Typically seen as a regal figure on stage and a refined lady in daily life, she now resembled a joyful young girl hurrying toward the man by the Phantom.
Observing her approach, Oliver extinguished his cigarette and hastened to meet Natalie, catching her in his embrace.
‘Is this a moment lifted straight from a romantic drama?’
Why would she run like that, risking a fall?
Oliver was poised to chide Natalie, yet the warmth of her embrace around his waist halted him. This was the first time Natalie had shown such bold affection.
"Natalie?" he asked, puzzled. Had someone upset her? That was Oliver's immediate concern.
Looking up at him, Natalie's giggle broke the silence. She stepped back, slightly embarrassed by her own impulsiveness.
"I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself."
Her emotions had gotten the better of her. She had not anticipated the surge of happiness at the news of Oliver's special effort to pick her up. In a moment of overwhelming joy, she had given in to her impulse and rushed into Oliver's arms.
His initial worry dissipated at the sight of her smile. Oliver's mood lifted, like a sunny day. Yet, as quickly as she had closed the distance, she stepped back, turning it into a partly cloudy one.
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