Chapter 656 I'm Your True Backer
The secretarial staff felt like they'd stumbled upon a sensational secret!
Although they were eager to dig into the gossip about Oliver and Natalie, everyone close to Oliver knew one golden rule: stay away from the boss's personal life – see less, hear less, speak less.
The door to the president's office was ajar. Natalie pushed it open and found the man who claimed he hadn't received his lunch enjoying the lobster rolls she had made.
Oliver looked up at the sound and met her exasperated expression. He didn't bother to explain himself, instead uttering a low, pleased chuckle.
"You're playing games with me, Oliver?" Natalie huffed, swinging the door shut behind her.
"No, I'm not," said Oliver, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"What's this then?" Natalie asked irritably as she walked over.
Oliver gestured to the meal from Heaven Restaurant set opposite him, meant for Natalie. "I wanted to invite you for lunch."
Oliver poured Natalie a glass of juice, which he had the secretary prepare in advance, and handed to her. Natalie glared at him for a few seconds but couldn't stay mad. She sat down to eat and discovered that the dishes from Heaven Restaurant were all her favorites.
"It's all stuff I like. Did you know I was coming?" Oliver shook his head, "Not much of an appetite; I just ordered a few things." He paused and glanced at Natalie. "Just in case you decide to join me for a meal one of these days?"
"Oliver, I suspect you're implying something." As though she hasn't been around to share a meal, leaving you feeling a bit resentful.
Oliver chuckled. "Well, it's more of a case of fond memories."
Natalie was momentarily stunned, making sure she hadn't misheard.
Enjoying her favorite dishes felt almost as if she was nearby or might drop in at any moment.
"I get the feeling you're saying that on purpose." Natalie's ears tinged pink, and she felt a chuckle coming on.
"On purpose?" Oliver took a sip of his soup, then looked at Natalie. "What would I gain from that?"
"How would I know?" Natalie muttered, turning her face away.
Oliver said, "I'm looking for a little more companionship from Mrs. Windsor to brighten the days of her 'secret husband' down here."
Natalie remarked, "Why have you been so fond of insinuations lately?"
"I ran into your secretary when I came in." Natalie took a bite of cake drizzled with maple syrup; she wasn't very hungry and just wanted some dessert.
Oliver slightly lowered his gaze as a sign for her to go on.
"I didn't hide the fact that I was here to see you, nor did I make up any excuses."
"So?" Oliver was relaxed, not in the mood to think, waiting for Natalie to reveal the deeper meaning of her words.
Natalie put down her fork, walked around the coffee table, and sat on the couch next to Oliver. She touched the top of his head with her hand, tilted her head with a smile, and said, "So, Mr. Windsor, there's no need to be so melancholic. It's not like we're totally on the down-low. Your team might already suspect we're back on good terms."
Oliver stiffened for a second before playfully ruffling Natalie's hair in retaliation. "What do they know?"
Only the most discreet of his associates remained close to him. The only one who might slip was Jennifer, and that only after a few drinks, but she only ever drank with a select few colleagues she truly trusted.
Natalie's eyes darted around, feeling guilty and at a loss for words. After a moment, she decided to tell Oliver about her decision to leave the company and start her studio.
Oliver's attention was immediately diverted.
"Backing?" Oliver repeated, gently holding Natalie's chin, "Shouldn't that be my role?" referring to Natalie's earlier comment about no longer needing a big company's support.
Oliver mused that even if he were to be Natalie's pillar of strength, shouldn't he be the one giving rather than receiving support?
The affairs of someone else's business were inconsequential.
"Sweetheart, you need to embrace being Mrs. Windsor," Oliver said, taking Natalie's chin in his hand with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"What responsibilities?" Natalie protested, pulling at his hand.
"Mrs. Windsor holds the reins of the entire RK Enterprises," Oliver declared. "RK Enterprises is your backing; I am your backing."
"It's you, not me," Natalie corrected him.
"What if I transfer all my shares to you? Then RK Enterprises would truly belong to you."
He spoke nonchalantly as if he was merely talking about buying Natalie a new dress.
But when it came to such matters, Oliver never bragged or lied.
Natalie blinked. Though she had never considered owning RK Enterprises, she couldn't help the skip in her heartbeat upon hearing his words.
She suddenly understood why so many sought to woo a woman's heart with wealth and why so many women desired control over their husband's assets even if they weren't contemplating betrayal.
Perhaps it was for a sense of security.
Even with Oliver's ability to rise from the ashes, the shares of RK Enterprises he owned represented his current net worth and livelihood.
"No need," Natalie said awkwardly, shifting back in her seat. "I'm not with you for your company or your money."
A greater smile crept into Oliver's eyes. "Of course, I know that. Natalie's here for me, the person."
If it was about the money, would she have run away from home months ago, causing him distress for months before he coaxed her back?
"You're shameless," Natalie laughed, unable to refute him. She was indeed with Oliver for who he was.
After Natalie left, Oliver called Isaac, asking him to keep an eye on the company's activities. Although his own direct operations did not involve entertainment or fashion, he knew well that all businesses sought profit, especially those industries.
He would ensure her safe exit since Natalie wished to terminate her contract.
When Natalie left the executive office, she encountered the secretarial team again. The staff, having lunch, were taking a break at their desks but stood up uniformly to respectfully see her off.
Natalie returned their greetings with a polite smile. Once downstairs, she spotted a nearby Starbucks and went in to order ten cups of coffee.
Half an hour later, the eight secretaries from the executive support team, along with Jamie and Charles, the two special assistants, all received a cup of coffee. Those assistants who hadn't crossed paths with Natalie naturally missed this little perk.
This further convinced the secretarial staff that there had to be something significant going on between Miss Watson and Mr. Windsor!
In the afternoon, when the Chief Secretary came to deliver some documents, he noticed that Mr. Windsor was noticeably in a better mood compared to the morning.
Seizing the opportunity, he decided to do a little sleuthing.
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