Chapter 706 It’s Over!
The majority of participants in the competition had joined the modeling industry only within the previous year. Yet, these newcomers possessed either remarkable skills or extraordinary talent. Participants from various countries had to navigate through four rounds of eliminations, with only ten securing a spot in the finals.
Upon Natalie and Cocker's arrival at the hotel, they found that over a hundred contestants had already begun their individual preparations.
The organizers of ‘Supermodel’ were known for their forward-thinking approach. In the absence of scheduled mentorship sessions, the contestants were at liberty to plan their own routines. Some engaged in personal physical workouts, others practiced their poses in front of mirrors, and a few, particularly those from abroad, explored the premises, drawing inspiration for their upcoming performances from the architectural style of the estate.
Natalie and Cocker made it a point not to intrude on anyone and quietly observed the contestants, making mental notes on each before going their separate ways.
"Natalie, do you want to have dinner together?" Cocker asked.
With a helpless smile and a shrug, Natalie responded, "I'm afraid I can’t."
"I've heard about your exceptional culinary skills," Cocker expressed her disappointment, saying, "It must be because your husband is overbearing! Oh, Natalie, I don’t think your husband is suitable for you. He’s too controlling! A beautiful woman like you should have a lot of friends, both male and female. You’re just too charming."
Cocker continued, "Your husband is a hindrance to your path of success... Oh, look at the Tuatara! It’s stunning! It's a supercar that one can't simply buy!"
Mid-conversation, Cocker's attention was suddenly captured by something behind Natalie. Her excitement was palpable as she spoke.
Turning to see what had caught Cocker's eye, Natalie was met with the sight of a familiar silver-white sports car.
The driver, sporting oversized sunglasses that obscured half of his face, appeared to be looking in Natalie's direction.
It was Oliver.
During their conversation, Natalie had not noticed the arrival of the car, suggesting Oliver had been there for some time, possibly long enough to overhear Cocker's remarks about him being a hindrance to her success.
Natalie cast a quick glance at Cocker, wondering if Oliver had caught any of Cocker's words and considering if there was any way to mitigate any potential misunderstanding.
The area was silent, Cocker had been speaking enthusiastically, and given Oliver's keen perception, it seemed unlikely he had missed the conversation.
"Natalie, who are you looking at? The attractive man in the Tuatara?" Cocker nudged Natalie and said encouragingly, "Go on! Despite the sunglasses, his jawline gave away his good looks. Aim high!"
"Remember, I’m a married woman," Natalie softly reminded Cocker.
Yet, as the saying went, ‘Ignorance is bliss’, and some individuals persist in their ways, regardless.
Cocker exclaimed, "So what? Does being married mean you can’t make friends? Friends are invaluable assets!"
Natalie wondered if Cocker and Isaac were cut from the same cloth.
"She doesn’t need those kinds of assets," a man’s voice said in the direction of the sports car.
Following that, the sound of the car door closing rang in the air.
Confronted with Cocker's bewildered look, Natalie introduced him awkwardly, "Cocker, this is... my husband, Oliver."
Cocker was visibly taken aback, her expressions transitioning from confusion to shock. She looked at Natalie in disbelief as she exclaimed, “Oh my!”
At this moment, Oliver said, causing Cocker to shudder, “Hello, I’m Natalie’s husband. You can call me Simon.”
Cocker's expression changed, looking as though she was about to speak.
Oliver interjected, “Yes, it’s the Simon you’re thinking of.”
At this revelation, Cocker's face turned ashen. She was speechless as she looked at Natalie with a pleading look for support.
Natalie, puzzled by Cocker's reaction, watched as Oliver took her handbag and placed his arm around her waist before he said to Cocker, “Natalie and I will be leaving now. You’re free to do as you please.”
"Okay, okay! I, I… will do just that," Cocker said stammeringly.
Cocker's reaction raised Natalie's suspicions, reminiscent of a mouse in the presence of a cat.
Once they were in the car, Natalie could not help but ask, "Why did you intimidate Cocker?"
Oliver looked at Natalie, asking with his gaze, ‘When did I do such a thing?’
Reflecting on the exchange, Natalie realized that Oliver had not spoken much, and his words could not be considered threatening.
"Cocker is a good person; she is my friend," Natalie felt compelled to assert, still feeling a bit uneasy.
During a low point in Natalie's life, when many turned against her, Cocker was among the few who reached out with a heartfelt message, offering comfort and encouragement.
"A friend?" Oliver's tone carried a hint of skepticism as he said, "A friend who suggests you cheat and play the field?"
Natalie fell silent.
‘So he heard our conversation after all…’
Turning slightly to face Natalie while driving, Oliver asked in a calm, measured tone, "Am I really a hindrance?"
"How could that be?" Natalie said, displaying her most sincere smile, “You’re definitely not a hindrance.”
Oliver's response was a light chuckle, seemingly dismissing the topic.
Relieved, Natalie shifted the conversation and asked, "Why did you drive this car? It's so ostentatious."
The SSC Tuatara, acclaimed as the apex of supercars worldwide, was not merely a symbol of financial prowess; obtaining one transcended monetary capability. Its production was so limited that ownership signified exclusivity beyond the reach of the general market.
Oliver chose to drive the SSC Tuatara precisely for its understatement, banking on its rarity rather than widespread recognition. Unlike universally known luxury cars such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Bugatti, the SSC Tuatara remained a niche icon. This obscurity served to deflect public attention, ensuring a low profile. Those in the know understood the significance of the SSC Tuatara, recognizing that its owner was not to be trifled with, given the means required to acquire such a vehicle.
However, Natalie's comment prompted Oliver to ask jokingly, "What if my wife feels the need to seek resources elsewhere because I don’t have a sufficiently impressive car?"
Natalie was momentarily caught off guard by his remark.
"Please, Cocker was only joking! Don’t take it seriously!"
…
Their journey took them to Oliver's recently acquired villa, which stood out among the elite properties within the estate. It was a short distance from the rental used by the competition organizers. Contrasting with the aesthetic of the organizer's villa, Oliver's villa boasted a traditional design, enhancing its allure with wooden exteriors, a quaint artificial bridge, and circular stone benches right from the entrance.
The drive home was marked by Oliver's silence, possibly reflecting on Cocker's earlier comments.
Natalie proceeded to the kitchen, intent on preparing a meal for Oliver, aiming to lighten the mood.
Following his habitual routine, Oliver went upstairs for a shower, adhering to his preference for immediate cleanliness upon returning home.
While cooking, Natalie received an unexpected text from Cocker, panicking over the realization that her husband was indeed Simon, the elusive head of the RK group.
Cocker: [Natalie, your husband is actually Simon! Ahhh, I'm doomed!]
In response, and against her better judgment, Natalie sought to reassure her.
Natalie: [Don’t worry. He’s not upset. But so what if he’s Simon?]
Natalie had been aware of Oliver's dual identity as Simon, the influential figure behind the RK group, but she did not know how many people knew it, and she also did not know the influence of this identity abroad.
Cocker: [The major shareholder of the company I work for is Simon. I need your help. I’ve only reached the top less than a year ago!]
A mix of confusion and concern rose in Natalie’s heart.
Natalie's gaze shifted upward. Seeing that there was no sound of Oliver coming downstairs, she called Cocker.
“I’m quite certain that RK Group doesn’t hold any shares in your company,” Natalie said.
"Indeed, it's not the RK group," Cocker said anxiously, “It’s a direct investment by Simon himself."
A silence ensued.
"He has the power to freeze me without needing to consult the company's board. His authority is absolute."
Natalie placed the call on speaker mode to multitask. As she cooked, she said reassuringly, "I believe he wouldn't resort to such measures. Oliver is always fair in work matters."
Cocker asked skeptically, "Do you think he can be clear-cut with someone who asks his wife to flirt with other men, in both personal and professional matters?"
She continued, “Natalie, I have a plan, and I need you to help a friend out!”
"What is it?” Natalie asked. She did not think Cocker would be able to come up with a good solution.
"Just—"
Knock, knock, knock!
The conversation was abruptly interrupted by a series of knocks at the door, just as Cocker was about to outline her ‘brilliant’ plan.
Heart racing, Natalie turned to find Oliver, dressed in a loosely tied dark silk robe. She exclaimed in surprise before she asked, “How long have you been here?”
“Natalie? Is everything alright?" Cocker asked from the other end of the line.
Oliver's gaze fell upon the phone and calmly said, “I’ve been here for a while now.”
‘It’s over! Could the timing be any worse?!’
Natalie hastily informed Cocker of the unexpected development, and Cocker ended the call at the speed of light after she heard Natalie’s words.
"You, you should tighten your robe,” Natalie said, pretending as though nothing happened earlier. She was determined not to speak about it. In situations like these, it would be wise to feign ignorance.
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