Chapter 374 The Revelation
"Is there anything else you require, Madam?" Charles inquired, addressing Natalie with due respect.
Natalie simply shook her head in response. The public apology she had been compelled to make for an ethical misstep felt akin to a public execution for a model of her stature. It was a punishment that would undoubtedly cast a long shadow over her career, a penalty far from trivial.
"Return home, rest for a while, gather your belongings, and then you can retreat to the countryside," Oliver advised, wrapping his arm around Natalie's waist. As they made their exit, he shot a knowing glance at Charles, who responded with a subtle nod of understanding.
The executives from various luxury brands, having lavished their praises on Natalie, tactfully took their leave upon noticing Oliver's disinterest in further socializing.
Charles, however, remained behind, a decision that stirred a sense of unease in Doris.
Charles deliberately caught Doris's eye before addressing the director. "Disseminate the news throughout the industry."
"May I relay a message?" he asked, to which the director acquiesced without hesitation.
"Miss Doris and Mrs. Windsor have had their differences. It would be in everyone's best interest if they avoid working together in the future."
Doris's eyes widened in shock. "Are...are you trying to marginalize me?"
Charles merely chuckled in response, "Why would we do that? You're welcome to participate in events that Mrs. Windsor won't be attending. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Windsor won't be participating in Susan's show. Given your friendship with Susan, you could take her place."
This wasn't exactly marginalization. It was more akin to a cat toying with a mouse, gradually driving her to the brink of insanity. It was a form of torment.
With Natalie's current trajectory, her star was set to rise even higher, possibly to the very pinnacle of the international stage. This would inevitably reduce Doris's own opportunities for advancement.
Susan's show? Susan was merely an up-and-coming designer with potential, nothing more. The rumors suggested that she had gained fame by plagiarizing the works of others. While her subsequent designs had some merit, they never surpassed her initial success.
There were countless talents who flamed out early in their careers. Susan could very well be one of them. Doris was filled with regret for having sacrificed her own career for Susan's.
Natalie had always known Charles to be a competent businessman and a top-tier school graduate, but witnessing him navigate this situation was a revelation.
"I never would have expected you to have this kind of potential," Natalie teased. It wasn't an insult, but rather a compliment.
Charles, reverting to his usual serious demeanor, modestly replied, "I owe it all to Mr. Windsor's guidance."
Oliver widened his eyes in surprise, prompting Charles to lower his head in a swift apology.
Natalie's laughter filled the room.
Oliver, maintaining his poker face, simply stated, "I didn't teach him any of this."
Once they were in the car, Natalie leaned into Oliver, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Oliver, puzzled by her behavior, tilted his head and planted two soft kisses on her lips.
Charles, seated in the passenger seat, discreetly raised the partition between them.
"Don't you have something to attend to?" Natalie asked.
"I had something this morning," Oliver admitted, knowing she would inquire. "but tonight, I'm here for your show."
Natalie couldn't help but wonder if Oliver had taken a course on ’How to Be Considerate to Your Wife.‘
How had he suddenly become so adept at it? Did highly intelligent people also possess a knack for quickly learning how to pamper others? Surely not. If that were the case, why had Oliver struggled to express himself for the first twenty years or so?
"Do you know Eric?" Natalie abruptly changed the topic.
"I've met him a few times," Oliver replied.
Given RK Group's foray into the fashion industry, it was inevitable that someone in Oliver's position would cross paths with Eric.
"Just that?" Natalie probed further.
Sensing a trap, Oliver affectionately pinched her nose and asked, "What are you getting at?"
Natalie giggled. "Guess what I heard today? Apparently, someone instructed Eric to speak up for me back then. I mean, why else would a top-tier master like Eric vouch for a little model like me?"
Her eyes sparkled as she smiled, her crescent-shaped eyes radiating sweetness.
Oliver sensed her hidden meaning and couldn't help but chuckle, no longer pretending to be clueless. "Who was it? You, Darling!"
Natalie was smart so acting ignorant wouldn't work.
As Oliver spoke, he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her cheek again.
"I distinctly remember that someone used to look at me with displeasure, but it turns out they were secretly helping me?" Natalie wrapped her arms around his neck, her brows and eyes filled with a charming stubbornness. "Oliver, when did you start liking me?"
"Now," Oliver casually said, sitting with one hand supporting Natalie's waist to prevent her from falling.
"I mean, when did it start?" Natalie wouldn't let go of such a perfect opportunity.
Oliver, who was being haughty, chuckled and didn't answer.
When did it start?
He had forgotten as well.
From the very beginning, he didn't dislike her.
Without dislike, it was easy for him to accept her as his wife.
"Then I'll consider that moment as the starting point," Natalie said and then called out, "Oliver."
"Yes?" Oliver lowered his gaze to the person in his arms and his eyes carried a faint smile, indicating that he was in a good mood.
"It's nothing," Natalie hesitated before biting her tongue and refraining from speaking.
Talking about such matters would hurt their relationship, she didn't know how to bring it up.
Was she going to say, "Today, I had a conflict with Doris, and she framed me, but half of the reason was because of you and Susan"?
Oliver should have explained to her that he had no relationship with Susan.
Since they were already husband and wife, she should believe him.
At least for now, she should believe him.
"Not going to say it?" Oliver pinched Natalie's cheeks.
The beautiful face of a woman was right in front of him, and in his mind, an hour ago Natalie stood on the T-stage, and when his gaze fell on her.
At that moment, he heard someone sighing beside him, "Goddess!"
In that moment, he felt that she was his goddess.
Oliver nodded and deeply kissed his warmth, his light.
Natalie was initially confused, completely unaware of how this man could just kiss her like that!
Gradually, her doubts and ability to think dissipated in the intimacy of their lips.
"Oh, right!" Natalie finally remembered an important question. "Do you know Wine?"
"Who?" Interrupted in their affectionate moment, Oliver frowned slightly displeased.
"Eric's new student."
"I don't know."
Why did everyone seem to interrupt him?
He hadn't become close enough to Eric to know who his students were.
Natalie couldn't help but wonder. She initially thought that Oliver had something to do with Wine choosing her as her debut model, but now it seemed that it wasn't related to Oliver. So why did Wine choose her?
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
