Chapter 704 Oliver’s Arrangement
Natalie was surprised by the number of people who showed interest in watching the competition. She was unaware that their interest was not in the competition itself but in seeing her.
The judges of ‘Supermodel’ were renowned for their humility and approachability. Aware that Natalie resided in Paykston, they even requested her address in advance and offered to send a car to fetch her.
Nonetheless, she graciously declined. She lived at Rosewood Estate, and it was not suitable for visitations.
Lilian and Casey packed their luggage and met Natalie at Rosewood Estate's entrance. Together, they boarded the car.
"Natalie, your car is so cool! Is this a McLaren 720s?"
Lilian, eyes alight of excitement, caressed the car's surface.
"I’m not very knowledgeable about cars," Natalie admitted, "This is my brother's car from the garage."
She had chosen it simply because it was conveniently parked outside.
"It's a 720," Casey remarked from beside them.
"Why are you giving me that look?" Lilian asked, noticing Casey’s meaningful gaze.
"It surprises me that you recognized it," Casey stated as she opened the driver's door, "Natalie, allow me to drive."
To Casey, Lilian was a naive young woman. She did not expect Lilian to recognize a newly launched vehicle.
"Actually... I can drive quite well," Natalie said. She mistakenly thought that Casey was concerned about her driving potentially leading to an accident.
Casey explained, "It’s not about your driving skills. I just think it’s more suitable for me to drive while you enjoy the ride.”
"Casey, I have mentioned before..." Natalie began.
“I know, we’re friends, not master and servant,” Casey interrupted her, saying, "However, my decision remains the same."
Natalie, considering Casey's personality and her past status, chose not to pursue the matter of driving any further. Besides, Casey's driving skills were superior to hers.
Lilian observed the exchange between them with a look of confusion. Despite her curiosity, she refrained from asking more questions and simply savored the experience of riding in the sports car.
"Natalie, I’d like to buy a car like this too!" Lilian exclaimed after experiencing the McLaren 720s' performance.
"Your driver's license isn’t valid here."
Natalie felt compelled to remind Lilian, hoping to prevent a future scenario of having to rescue her from the police station.
"I don’t plan to buy it for myself; I don’t like driving,” Lilian responded with a light chuckle, "I plan to buy it for my boyfriend.”
Casey glanced at Lilian through the rearview mirror, one eyebrow arched in surprise.
‘Lilian has a boyfriend?’
Natalie's brows furrowed as she recalled a scene from the shopping center... a memory involving a kiss.
Before Natalie and Casey could voice their thoughts, Lilian abruptly covered her mouth in panic. She stammered, "I... I misspoke. Natalie, could you perhaps pretend you didn’t hear that?"
"What do you think?" Natalie had mastered mimicking Oliver's impassive expression, becoming quite intimidating when she chose to be.
"I… I think you can if you convince yourself hard enough,” Lilian stammered, looking anxious.
Casey sighed, recognizing the hopelessness of the situation.
"Do you wish to keep your relationship a secret from me?" Natalie asked.
Lilian, who was not good at lying, especially in front of Natalie, nodded hesitantly.
"Why?" Natalie considered their relationship good, and she usually did not interfere in Lilian’s affairs. Moreover, Lilian often shared details of her life willingly.
"Because..." Lilian risked a quick glance at Natalie as she said, "I worry you'll react negatively toward my boyfriend."
Natalie sought clarification, asking, "You mean, disapprove of your boyfriend?"
Lilian affirmed with a nod.
"How could that be?" Natalie expressed a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Lilian, I’m merely your cousin-in-law. Why would I intervene in your personal life?"
Lilian remained silent, mulling over the truth that, although Natalie might not interfere as a cousin-in-law, the matter was complicated by the fact that her boyfriend was Natalie's brother. She felt a surge of frustration but kept her thoughts to herself.
Noticing Lilian's reticence, Natalie ceased her questioning and adopted a more serious tone, saying, "Setting aside all else, remember you're a person who deserves respect. If you’re ever mistreated, it’s imperative you inform me or your cousin."
Lilian took issue with this perspective from Natalie, her idol. "Natalie, the world is dark these days. It's not only girls who need to safeguard themselves; boys do, too. Moreover, sharing my troubles with you would be far more beneficial than confiding in my cousin."
‘For example, Lucas was forced into a relationship with me… ‘
Natalie found herself at a loss for words. How could such a young girl harbor such profound insights?
…
The organizers selected Paykston, renowned for its architectural style, as the location for the competition. The choice of pavilions and terraces as the setting subtly hinted at the tournament's stylistic direction.
"Hey, Natalie!"
Upon alighting from the car, Natalie was greeted by the sight of a blonde beauty enthusiastically waving at her from afar. It was none other than Koker, who had secured the runner-up position in the last competition.
Over the past year, Koker's career had seen remarkable growth. She had transitioned from an international model to a top supermodel, eventually surpassing Natalie as the leading model at their agency. Furthermore, Koker's net worth had exceeded Natalie's during this period.
"Hey, Koker! It’s been a while!" Natalie greeted.
Koker smiled and responded to the greeting as well.
At this time, Lilian chimed in, “Hello!”
Koker's attention turned to Lilian, and after a brief pause of recognition, she exclaimed, "Lilian Norton!"
Lilian responded with a playful giggle, "You recognize me, even in my role as an assistant?"
"The heiress of the Norton family serving as Natalie's assistant!" Koker expressed her astonishment, saying, "My boyfriend had shared this bit of gossip earlier, and I found it hard to believe."
Lilian let out a sigh of disappointment. She had hoped her efficiency as an assistant would be recognized and appreciated.
Koker, puzzled, looked toward Natalie, unsure of what she might have said to upset Lilian.
"Koker, I trust you'll treat this information with discretion. Lilian prefers to keep a low profile," Natalie explained, prioritizing Lilian's safety, given her vulnerability to potential kidnapping threats.
Despite Lilian's identity becoming common knowledge among their social circle, respect for Oliver's standing led many to remain silent on the matter.
Koker acknowledged this with a nod.
Indeed, curiosity about the Norton family's youngest member had been rampant in Europe for years. Yet, given the absence of any concrete information, those with any sense refrained from spreading rumors recklessly.
"You can bring your luggage inside first. The participants will be staying at the hotel. We can take a look later," Cocker suggested as she led Natalie to locate the staff for the keys.
This competition had four mentors, with the participants staying in the hotel on the estate. The mentors and their assistants would be staying in the villas.
"Miss Watson, didn’t you mention that you wouldn’t be staying here?" a staff member asked, surprised, after seeing Natalie’s luggage.
Natalie was even more surprised. Where else would she stay, if not here? She asked, “When did I mention I wouldn’t be staying here?”
The staff appeared bewildered. "Wasn’t it someone from your agency? He said his name was Jamie. His voice sounded quite pleasant. Isn’t he from your agency? Could it have been an impersonator? But, how could he have gotten our number?”
‘Jamie…’
Natalie suddenly recalled Oliver's morning suggestion about staying elsewhere. After a moment, she said, “Yes, he’s from my agency. I’m sorry. Please give me a moment. I need to make a phone call to clarify the situation.”
"Of course, take your time."
Setting her luggage aside, Natalie moved to a secluded area to call Oliver.
Oliver answered promptly.
"Oliver, did you tell Jamie to inform the organizers that I wouldn’t be staying here?"
"Yes, did I not mention it this morning? Come and stay outside," Oliver confidently proposed, "I've purchased a villa nearby for the competition. Just bring your luggage, and someone will arrange everything later."
Natalie was speechless.
‘No, what’s wrong with you? How can you just casually say you bought a villa? However, it’s true that Oliver doesn’t lack money…’
"Oliver, don’t you think this might complicate my work?" Natalie attempted to reason with him. However, she immediately realized the futility of her action.
As expected, Oliver responded, "No, I don’t think so."
He added, "But you might indeed face some difficulties."
"What kind of difficulties?" Natalie felt that Oliver himself was a difficulty.
"Didn’t Barrett ask about the tickets?” Oliver said casually, “He got someone to get the tickets, and a group of them are coming to see you.”
Natalie was visibly confused. “Come and see me?”
"Yes," Oliver replied vaguely, "As I've mentioned before, they’re not to be trusted, and you shouldn’t get too close to them. Alas, you didn’t heed my advice.”
Natalie was bewildered, wondering when she had become so familiar with those rich kids. She was only familiar with a few from the summer camp. As for the others, she had only met them once or twice.
She asked, confused, “I’m not walking the runway. What exactly are they coming to see?”
If she had been unaware of this matter, it would have been fine. However, now that she had been made aware of the matter, she could not help but feel embarrassed when she thought about it.
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