Chapter 398 My Wife is Reserved
The silk fabric draped over her form, accentuating the curves of her body impeccably, and the high slit of the dress revealed Natalie's graceful legs with every stride she took.
With her every movement, it was as if she brought a breeze into the room, her shawl dancing in the wind. She radiated elegance, a touch of aloofness, and a captivating presence, reminiscent of a celestial being bathed in moonlight.
"Wow! Wherever you go, it turns into the most splendid runway!"
"Arvin, it’s been a while!"
Arvin, his hair now tinged with gray, made an overly dramatic bow. "It’s always a pleasure for me to serve as your stylist! Please follow me.”
Arvin kept his eyes fixed on Natalie, pondering over her potential to become the top female model of her time. He wished he could style her all the time.
"Why all this unnecessary talk?" Oliver remarked with a cool glance.
Inwardly, Arvin sighed. ‘Dealing with domineering men is indeed difficult!’
He then escorted Natalie to the dressing room.
Meanwhile, Oliver gestured to Jamie, who was nearby.
Jamie came over and quietly said, "Sir, during your absence, the Hastings attempted to cause trouble for Natalie. However, she was not affected. She even left Nancy and Helen at a loss for words. They were both rather upset.”
Oliver, not wanting to leave Natalie alone, had instructed Jamie to plant a spy ahead of time. As such, Jamie could only give a brief account of the events since he was not privy to the details.
Upon hearing the initial part of Jamie's report, Oliver's face showed displeasure, but gradually, a smile found its way to his lips. He lamented missing the chance to see Natalie in action, silencing her opponents. It was regrettable.
"Jamie," Oliver called out.
"Yes?"
"Regarding the incident before, how suspicious do you find Susan?"
Most would ask what incident Oliver was referring to, but for individuals like Jamie and Charles, who had been loyal companions to Oliver for years, such clarification was unnecessary. He immediately knew Oliver was referring to the series of attacks Natalie faced.
"Well..." Jamie hesitated.
"Go ahead, I won’t fire you for speaking your mind," Oliver reassured in a more lenient tone.
Jamie had initially thought he might face a deduction in his salary for overstepping, but now he realized being fired was also a possibility!
After a brief pause, he answered, "I do think there’s something suspicious about the incident…”
If Natalie’s image were tarnished, it could pave the way for other models or even celebrities to rise to prominence.
“The fashion industry isn’t as complicated as the entertainment industry, and the competition isn’t as fierce. However, it’s still there. I can’t say for sure if Susan played a part, but there’s no doubt that she stands to gain the most from the incident.”
…
Natalie, who typically shied away from lavish gatherings, requested Arvin to adopt a minimalist approach.
Regrettably for Arvin, this meant another missed opportunity to showcase his expertise.
Ultimately, Natalie settled on a refined, subtle makeup look, complementing it with understated hairstyles and avoiding overly lavish accessories. Her attire was elegantly accentuated by diamond earrings and a bracelet, ensuring that her presence alone dimmed the surroundings.
This remarkable visual impact was palpably felt at the party.
Natalie and Oliver were late. Natalie’s disinterest, coupled with Oliver’s status, was why they were late.
The Hastings’ elders were greeting guests at the entrance while Susan, adorned in a bespoke pink gown, was seen chatting happily with several socialites, underscoring her extensive social network in Tycoon City.
Upon their arrival, Natalie and Oliver did not immediately head inside. Natalie had planned to enter alongside Jane, but as they approached, the buzz of the crowd subdued, shifting the collective gaze toward them.
Oliver’s face had only been revealed recently within the Paykston circle, with his presence still a novelty in Tycoon City.
The duo, particularly Oliver with his striking looks and his exclusive luxury car, naturally captured the crowd’s attention.
Murmurs filled the air as guests wondered about their identities.
Then, Harold, Susan’s father, said, “Oliver, you’re here!”
The crowd was abuzz with the realization that this was the much-discussed Oliver Windsor.
Oliver, contrary to rumors of disfigurement, was remarkably handsome. Most importantly, he controlled the Windsor family now.
By his side was Natalie, who had been the subject of many conversations in recent times, now making her debut to these people.
Most people were stunned by her beauty.
The instant Natalie made her entrance, her presence overshadowed even that of Susan. Despite Natalie's understated choice of attire, her innate grace set her apart, a quality that others could neither replicate nor rival.
With no sign of Jane, Oliver, maintaining a gentle hold on Natalie, steered them forward to offer their greetings.
The reception toward Oliver was overwhelmingly positive, with many savvy businessmen seizing the chance to forge connections, hoping for future business collaborations.
This event served as an ideal networking opportunity for those in the business realm.
Several attendees were eager to engage Oliver in more detailed discussions, a common occurrence in settings where business is the main topic of conversation, often sidelining their partners.
Oliver, ever polite, excused himself, stating, "My wife is quite reserved, and I feel it's best if I stay by her side."
Helen, seizing the moment, interjected, "Natalie didn’t seem reserved at all when she was with me earlier."
Aware of her daughter's growing affection for Oliver and considering the prospects of him becoming her son-in-law despite it being his second marriage, Helen naturally did not think Natalie deserved Oliver. She found the sight of Natalie standing next to Oliver extremely displeasing.
Oliver, casting a meaningful look at Helen, asked, “Is that so?”
Helen’s expression turned stiff. She did not anticipate such a direct response from him.
Harold, unaware of the morning's specifics but sensing it must have been embarrassing for Natalie, could tell that Oliver wanted to hold Helen accountable. However, he feigned ignorance for his daughter’s sake.
At this time, Susan looked at Natalie and quickly added, “Don’t worry. With so many people here, no one would dare to mistreat Natalie. I’m sure Natalie wouldn’t want to inconvenience you as well. Right, Natalie?”
Natalie did not respond and only stared at Susan silently.
In that moment, Susan felt a surge of panic within her. She had assumed that her act of helping Natalie once would be enough to secure her trust. She did not think that Natalie would make her look bad publicly. This very assumption had emboldened her to let her family put Natalie in an uncomfortable position earlier that day.
However, the look in Natalie's eyes now sent a shiver down Susan's spine, suggesting the imminent threat of a predator ready to strike.
Then, Natalie broke into a smile and gently patted Oliver's hand, suggesting, "Honey, go ahead. Jane just arrived, so I’ll join her.”
Susan could not help but sigh in relief. If Oliver stayed with Natalie the whole time, her good friends would not have had a chance to intervene.
As Natalie's words hung in the air, the distinct sound of high heels clicking against the floor captured everyone's attention, heralding the arrival of a woman with a commanding presence.
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