Chapter533 Couple's Summer Camp
"Oh, there's one more thing." Emily Reed remembered the real reason she was there and frowned. "Natalie, the company wants you to take on an event."
"What event?" Natalie’s brow furrowed deeper, as it was the first time the company had directly meddled in her work.
"A high society couples' camp," Emily Reed replied, her expression grim. "A major shareholder specifically asked for you to participate."
Given Natalie's well-known leg injury, the invitation seemed like a deliberate attempt to put her in a difficult position. Natalie's agency had always had the power to interfere with her bookings—and until now, they had facilitated her work largely because of Oliver's influence.
But now, separated from Oliver and with a bad leg, she was nearly worthless in the industry. Most capitalists would leverage their talent to the fullest.
Bringing Natalie into the spotlight of a couples’ camp was like sending her into the eye of the storm.
"I'm already divorced." Natalie's tone chilled.
"The event isn't just for married couples. There are pairs, fiancés, and they'll even match up singles. You’ll be assigned a temporary partner if you go," Emily Reed explained.
Essentially, it was a chance for young couples to foster relationships—a networking event under the guise of romance.
As for why they'd insist on Natalie's involvement, there were only two reasons: either they wanted to make a spectacle of her, or someone was looking to make a move on her during the event.
"And they're planning to record the event, live-stream it to the families who are financing it."
Natalie weighed her options quickly. "Emily, can you talk to the company about terminating my contract after this event? If it's the shareholder's demand, the executives will stop at nothing to have me there. If they won't agree to terminate, I can afford to pay the penalty for breaking contract now."
"But your leg…" Emily Reed began.
Natalie rose to her feet and twirled in front of Emily Reed, taking a step that seemed as though she was accompanied by a breeze—nothing appeared out of order. But to the trained eye, there was a subtle shift in her gait, an elusive change that was hard to pin down.
Her friend Emily Reed stood up in surprise. "I didn't even notice when you walked in!"
"Natalie, I need a favor," she said smoothly. "Could you sneak Casey in? Ideally, as part of the crew—low-profile, but close enough to me."
With the air of someone who knows trouble when they see it, Natalie wasn't about to gamble with her safety.
She was determined to see for herself who had the audacity to target her.
Emily gave a thumbs-up. "Consider it done."
Susan’s engagement spread like wildfire through the social circles.
Many snickered at her past rumored relationships with the brothers of the Windsor family, jesting about how she ended up without an inch of their affections—settling instead for a foreign tycoon.
But for all the snickers, the elite always make an appearance. Those who received the fancy invitations made their appearance, ensuring the party was a bustling affair of the wealthy and privileged.
However, the more astute and well-connected could smell the fishiness. Susan's engagement came about too hastily.
Because of the commotion surrounding Susan's affairs, Natalie started paying closer attention to the outside world.
It didn't take long to notice Mr. Windsor, the elusive and discreet maven, making unexpectedly frequent appearances in the public eye.
Despite her reluctance, Natalie couldn't help but come across news about Oliver:
"Windsor Group’s Mr. Windsor spotted at Club!"
"Mr. Oliver attends Economic Summit."
"Oliver seen at event with socialite."
"For the first time, RK Corporation’s CEO Oliver gives a public interview!"
The internet was abuzz with all sorts of news and stories, from sober financial reports to juicy gossip.
The high society circles were abuzz, speculating about Oliver's newfound flamboyance.
Natalie found these discussions pointless. To her, Oliver was always a shining star; once he chose to step into the limelight, the world would be his stage.
The couples’ camp was fast approaching.
The organizers chose a popular tourist city in the Southwest as the venue, and attendees were flying in directly from their respective cities.
Just before the event officially kicked off, everyone was added to a group chat by the event organizers.
Everyone was still in the dark about who'd be attending the camp. Seated in the airport lounge, Natalie watched the quips in their group chat roll in:
"Only sticking around this damn entertainment industry is why I'm even considering this excuse for a summer camp."
"I think my father hit his midlife crisis, pairing me up with Mia? I'd rather drop dead!"
"Don’t be such a downer. Think of the opportunity to meet girls—great, right? Off-camera, you and Mia can go your separate ways, fresh faces every day!"
"Exactly! Look on the bright side. Think of it like a group camp."
"Natalie!”
That distinctively sweet voice cut through the distance, and a petite, lively figure bounced into view.
Lilian, clutching the latest Prada bag, approached.
"Lilian, what brings you here?" Natalie frowned. "Right, I should've mentioned—I’m no longer with Oliver..."
"Don't even start about my cousin! I know you guys split. Hands off," Lilian gestured decisively. "I'm your assistant, not Simon's. Where you go, I follow for work!”
"Lilian, this isn't for work... Well, not in the usual sense, even if it is the company's doing."
"I know all about it! The singles retreat, the high-class tour," Lilian chirped, producing an exquisite invitation from her purse. "I got one, too!"
Natalie rubbed her temples, exasperated, "Why are you indulging in this nonsense? Do you even have a boyfriend? Who's your match?"
"I convinced Lucas to play my boyfriend!" she said with a giggle.
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