Chapter 632 Mrs. Windsor Still Refuses to Go Home
Thoughts like these were halted when the servers noticed Oliver's hand was placed in a possessive manner on Natalie's waist.
"Mr. Windsor, Miss Watson, right this way, please."
Uncertain about the specifics of their relationship, the waiter cautiously referred to Natalie by her maiden name.
Upon guiding the couple to their private booth, the waiter at Granny’s Diner sighed in relief. However, he was both puzzled and curious about the nature of the duo’s relationship.
…
Following their meal, Charles awaited them at the entrance.
"Sir, the board meeting is in thirty minutes. Here are the key points for today's agenda. I’ll provide a briefing in the car," Charles informed Oliver as he handed him the documents. Then, he turned to Natalie and said awkwardly, "It’s been a while."
She responded with a disdainful scoff, unwilling to engage with someone who had been complicit in deceiving her alongside Oliver and the rest.
"Natalie, I think you should return to Rosewood Estate. Liam has arranged transportation for you," Oliver suggested, gesturing toward a Porsche parked near the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Its vibrant red paint was chosen with her preferences in mind. Clearly, it was meant for her.
"Oliver, there’s something I need to discuss with you," Natalie said, nervously clutching her bag, "I don’t want to stay at Rosewood Estate for the time being."
Oliver stopped reviewing the documents and closed them abruptly, causing Charles to flinch.
"Why?" His tone was laden with displeasure.
"Everyone thinks we’re divorced. If I move into Rosewood Estate now, it will provoke unnecessary speculation. Moreover, I prefer to focus on my career rather than my personal life now."
"Natalie, you’re my wife. Regardless of public perception, that remains a fact," Oliver said, handing the documents back to Charles. His attention was no longer on the documents.
"What do you mean? Can’t we discuss this calmly?"
Natalie glanced at Charles, who discreetly moved away, attempting to make himself less intrusive. This gesture only made her feel more awkward.
"Oliver, if it’s possible, I want to make my return to the fashion industry as Natalie, not as Mrs. Windsor."
Looking toward the horizon, she added, "Moreover, my comeback involves working with Flora. I’m accountable not only to myself but also to her. I can’t allow personal rumors to overshadow everyone’s talent and hard work or give critics the opportunity to claim our success is due to your influence."
A brief silence ensued.
"Is being my wife truly that burdensome for you?" Oliver, aware of the pressures associated with being Mrs. Windsor, asked. However, he had no intention of letting her go, regardless of her answer.
"No," Natalie said, her expression gentle yet resolute, "Being your wife is not burdensome, but it’s not easy being Mrs. Windsor."
Oliver's expression shifted subtly.
She continued, "However, life is inherently challenging, isn’t it? There’s rarely anything that comes easy, so I don’t think it matters whether something is easy or not. As the saying goes, ‘Uneasy is the head that wears the crown’. However, I want to be sure I can bear its weight before I wear it…”
At that moment, Oliver felt as if a precious stone within his heart, precariously close to falling, had finally found its place. He asked, “So, Mrs. Windsor, you still don’t want to go home?”
Watching Natalie nod cautiously, as though she was worried he would disagree, Oliver chuckled lightly. She was no longer the fierce and determined woman who once wanted to divorce him. Back then, her decision to part had been marked with a tone of finality and indifference. Now that they had reconciled, she had become more considerate and gentler.
“So for now, we keep our marital status a secret?” Oliver asked, seeking confirmation.
Natalie nodded. That was the plan.
A playful spark appeared in Oliver's eyes as he said, "Very well, I’ll arrange for the driver to take you to your apartment."
Charles, witnessing his boss's easy acquiescence, was left utterly astonished.
Given Oliver's typical behavior, he should have insisted on Natalie’s return to Rosewood Estate before he grandly announced their reconciliation.
Oliver saw through Charles’ curiosity immediately.
As Oliver reviewed his meeting agenda, he said to Charles, “If you have something to say, then say it.”
"Sir, I was just surprised that you readily agreed to the young madam living separately,” Charles said.
Oliver, in a good mood, clarified, "She’s staying in Maple Villa, and so I am. What’s the difference if she doesn’t return to Rosewood Estate?”
“A wise decision, sir," Charles acknowledged. After a moment, he asked, “Then, do you plan to announce your reconciliation?”
Immediately after that, Charles hastily added, “I’m not prying! I’m just wondering if we should inform the PR team first.”
Oliver, seeing through Charles's thinly veiled curiosity, responded with a light-hearted scoff. He was in too good of a mood to mind Charles's prying.
“If any rumors about Natalie and me pop up, let them be,” Oliver said. He had discovered that the fans who shipped them were rather useful.
Those fans, with their eagle eyes, could possibly be the publicists for his and Natalie’s new romance. With a little nudge from him, everything would fall into place. In doing so, he was not going against Natalie’s wish.
…
Natalie did not go home. Instead, she went to meet Emily Reed at the company. There, she discussed her upcoming collaboration with Flora, confirming her comeback with Emily.
Emily, concerned about the potential impact of Natalie's past injury on her runway performance, requested a demonstration of her walk.
“Let me see you walk.”
“Okay.”
The office space, ample and accommodating, served as an impromptu runway.
Natalie was confident in her walk. After she completed her walk, she looked at Emily anxiously for the latter’s feedback. To her relief and delight, Emily's expression transformed from one of apprehension to unmistakable approval.
"You’ve improved, Natalie," Emily remarked, genuinely impressed that Natalie's ordeal had not hindered her progress; rather, it had spurred a sort of rebirth.
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