Ch. 111..120
Everything seemed to have come to a halt, and an awkward silence filled the air.
Christina was horror-stricken.
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On the other hand, Nathaniel had a serious look on his face that seemed to say she was the one who instigated him to do it, causing whatever-good impression Julia had of her to fly out the window.
Nathaniel grabbed her hand and walked the other way once he was finished speaking.
Julia felt humiliated as she watched the couple leave.
Her son showed her no mercy at all. He just had to reject all the other women because Christina says she doesn’t like it. What a vicious woman she is!
Many wives of wealthy families arrived at the banquet one after another, and most of them had brought their daughters along.
They went to greet Julia upon their arrival, and the women couldn’t help but give her praises when they saw her unique evening gown.
“What an extraordinary dress you have on, Mrs. Hadley. Which designer designed it?” one of the guests asked.
“You look stunning tonight, Mrs. Hadley.”
“That’s right!”
Julia smiled, feeling embarrassed by their complimenis. The dress was definitely worth its price since so many people had acknowledged it.
Someone walked up to get a closer look at the dress. love embroidery. This designer must be a master designer who has been working for decades, fight?”
Julia had no idea that Ada was so skilled in embroidery that she would be seen as a master designer.
Smiling, she answered, “Ms. Ada was the one who designed my dress. She’s really good at her craft.”
Many knew who Julia was talking about, but they were also aware that Ada rarely accepted commissions and how difficult it was to get an appointment with her.
“You actually managed to get an appointment with M. Ada? It seems like the two of you are quite close. Ms. Ada never shows her face, and that’s something everyone knows.”
“If only we can meet up with her just once,” one of the guests exclaimed.
The other guests shared their sentiments on how it was difficult to meet Ada when a woman’s voice suddenly sounded from the crowd. “I know where Ada is!”
Madison’s voice was like a light lit up in a pitch-black area, attracting everyone’s attention to her.
“Do you know who Ms. Ada is, Madison?” Julia asked, her voice full of doubt.
Madison emerged from the crowd and answered confidently, “Of course. In fact, Ms. Ada is currently
Whoosh!
What is this? How could the mysterious designer be here at the banquet?
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The guests instantly scanned the crowd, trying to find this special someone. Unfortunately, none of them had any idea what Ada looked like, so there was no way they could do that.
Feeling anxious, a few of the wealthy guests urged. “Stop acting so mysterious, Ms. Taggart. Hurry up and tell us who Ms. Ada is. Let us get to know each other, all right?”
They wanted to become acquainted to Ada and have her design their clothes too.
Of course, Madison was silently feeling jealous that Ala was so popular. Her lips curled into a cold. smirk as she kept her eyes on the red figure among the guests.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she walked toward Christina and pulled her to the center of the venue.
“This is Ms. Ada, the one all of you had been looking for. Isn’t that true, Christina?”
Christina was shocked by Madison’s actions. She had been pulled to the center before she could event react and was forced to admit her identity under everyone’s gazes.
Her cheeks burned and flushed red, and she glared at the smug face that was waiting for her to embarrass herself.
Julia was shocked to see Christina at first. Then, a doubtful look took its place on her face. “How can you prove this is Ms. Ada, Madison? From what I know, Christina graduated from a third-rate design academy. She probably doesn’t even know how to embroider.”
Seeing how disgusted and disbelieving Julia was in Christina’s identity made Madison extremely happy.
Yes, that’s it! Don’t become fond of her, and don’t you dare admit you’re Ada!
“That’s enough! Stop fooling around!” Nathaniel emerged from the crowd and stood in front of the woman he loved in a defensive manner.
He looked absolutely captivating in his dark red suit. The air in the room turned cold as he stood. before everyone, looking like a majestic ruler of a land.
Everyone held their breaths, afraid that they would interrupt the air of mysteriousness.
Madison panicked. She was upset to see the menacing look on Nathaniel’s face.
The woman didn’t want to be the bad guy, but she didn’t want Christina to leave a good impression on Julia either.
Frowning, Madison said in an aggrieved tone, “I’m not lying. Come on, Christina. Just admit it. Mrs. Hadley likes your work so much. Why would you hide it from her?”
Her choked-up voice made everyone else think that it was pretentious of Christina to hide her identity.
Why wouldn’t you admit to it if you’re such a famous designer? Did you think it would elevate your status by being
mysterious?
Right then, Madison’s gaze fell on the crowd once again.
Christina felt her heart skip a beat. Madison had set her up again. She watched as Julia’s face turned darker by the second, and a sense of foreboding rose within her.
Admitting her identity was not the solution, nor could she continue to hide the truth.
Nathaniel could feel that Christina’s hand was covered in sweat, and he said quietly, “It’s okay. I’m here.”
He took her hand and turned to leave.
However, a middle-aged woman wearing a white suit stepped forward right then. It was Hannah.
She announced to everyone present, “I am the boss of a studio, and I can prove that Ms. Christina Steele is Ms. Ada. All these years, Ms. Ada had only accepted work after we were done negotiating the prices.”
Now that the boss of a studio had stepped forward, Christina had no choice but to admit she was Ms. Ada.
Julia’s eyes trembled when she heard that. She walked over to Christina and asked furiously, “Are you really Ada?”
At that moment, the latter wanted nothing else but to dig a hole and bury herself in it. Her face. burned, and her hands sweated profusely.
She couldn’t deny the fact any longer in such a situation and finally admitted, “Yes. It’s me, Mrs. Hadley.”
Julia felt her chest ache, and her fingers trembled. Her furious voice rang out. “So you’ve been lying to me all this time?”
The older woman absolutely hated being lied to.
All those who lie to me should go to h*ll!
H
“How dare you fool me, you brat! Do you think you’re all that just because you know how to embroider? Am I a joke to you? What a vicious brat you are!”
She moved closer to Christina, her eyes burning with fury.
The latter stepped backward. Noticing the pool behind Christina, Julia reached out and pushed the younger woman in without any hesitation.
Splash! The defenseless Christina fell right in just like that.
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Ever since their days in the Hadley residence, Julia already knew that Christina did not know how to swim. Despite that, she still pushed Christina into the water, revealing how furious she must have been over the latter’s deceit.
“I asked her to design your outfit. Blame me if you have to,” said Nathaniel curtly before unbuttoning his coat. He then tossed it aside and promptly dived into the pool to save Christina.
Seeing that the situation was worsening, Helen instructed the butler and the housekeepers to send the
guests away.
Meanwhile, Julia stomped back into the house angrily
The guests were soon brought away.
Nathaniel carried Christina, who was completely drenched. In such weather, she shivered when gusts of wind blew past.
Wrapping two thick towels around them, the butler invited them back into the house.
The water on their body dripped all over the place. Cristina was so cold that she shivered vigorously. With his heart aching, Nathaniel wiped her hair and instructed the butler, “Bring some hot tea over.”
“Understood,” said the butler. However, just when he turned around to leave, Julia warned sternly, “You
aren’t allowed to!”
“But Ms. Christina will catch a cold, Mrs. Hadley,” said the butler in a conflicted tone as he looked at Christina’s frail body.
Sitting in the living room, Julia exuded such an intimidating aura that the housekeepers around her did not even dare to breathe loudly.
If one looked closely, Julia had changed into a black gown after taking off the jasmine gown.
Casting a cold glance at Christina’s drenched body, the older woman did not think that Christina was pitiable at all. “This is the Hadley residence, not the Scenic Garden Manor. Get lost with her.”
While Julia used to look down on Christina, it was obvious to everyone that she now hated the latter.
Madison was overjoyed when she saw that, although she did not understand why Julia hated being lied. to so much. Nevertheless, with Christina having violated the older woman’s taboo, Madison was sure that everything Christina did that might have left a good impression on Julia had now gone to waste.
Walking toward Christina, Madison frowned anxiously and appeared to be regretful. “I’m sorry, Christina. When I saw how much Mrs. Hadley liked the outfit that you designed, I thought she’ll see you in a different light after finding out that you’re Ms. Ada… I really want to help improve you improve your relationship with her. I definitely did not harbor any other intentions.”
She even made it sound like she was on the verge of crying when she reached the emotional part of her speech.
Christina trembled in coldness. Her cheeks were ashen, and fury filled the depths of her watery eyes.
Improve our relationship? It’s obvious that this is all part of her plan! Otherwise, why would she have pulled me
out in public and arranged for Hannah from the studio to act as the witness? Her objective is to put Mrs. Hadley in a difficult position in front of everyone else, making her hate me even more. What a marvelous plan! She managed to force me into this pathetic state….
Christina glanced upward, her icy gaze landing on Mailison. “I know you have kind intentions, but Hannah probably wasn’t included in Mrs. Hadley’s guest list, right? You must have a really wide social network to be able to invite her.”
Madison’s expression changed drastically when she heard this. Although she had prepared all sorts of refutations, she did not expect Christina to use Hannah against her.
After all, she had paid Hannah to act as a witness for Christina’s identity.
The situation became strange again, for Madison could not think of an excuse to rebuke Christina. Rather than gloating silently, she was now worried about what Nathaniel would think of her.
At that moment, Helen brought out the two gowns that Julia had not worn yet. “What shall we do with the gowns, Mrs. Hadley?”
Narrowing her eyes, Julia pursed her lips tightly and instructed in an icy tone, “Burn them in the backyard.”
Burn them?
Helen wondered if she had misheard Julia.
These three gowns are Mrs. Hadley’s favorite gowns. She hasn’t even worn them yet! How can she bear to burn them?
Christina’s heart skipped a beat. When she heard that her eyes reddened.
Nathaniel’s eyebrows knitted. Exuding a cold aura, he demanded, “Christina had so many sleepless nights just to make these gowns for you. How can you burn them?”
Christina spent a lot of effort in order to complete the three gowns. Because of that, she did not even return to Scenic Garden Manor to keep him company. Undoubtedly, she would be devasted to hear that all that work would be burned to ashes.
Nathaniel could never bear to see her sad.
Julia’s face was so gloomy that it seemed like dark clouds loomed over it. When she saw how pained Christina was, she felt happy. “I bought the gowns with my money. It’s none of your business what I do
with them.”
Gripping Christina’s thin shoulders tightly, Nathaniel could feel her trembling beneath his palms. “I’ll pay you thrice the amount. Give me the gowns.”
“I’d rather burn them than give them to you. Why are you still standing there, Helen?” When Julia glanced to the side coldly, Helen did not dare to delay it any further. Mumbling a response, the latter swiftly walked out with two housekeepers.
Christina felt resentful. “Mrs. Hadley, you just don’t like me, right? This has nothing to do with the
gowns.”
Staring at her face, which was dripping with water, Julia revealed a cold smirk. “Of course, the gowns
have something to do with this. I don’t like anything associated with you!”
Christina would rather forgo the compensation than let the gowns which she had painstakingly made
be burned.
However, she no longer had any reason to get the dresses back. After Julia paid for them, they now. belonged to her. Regardless of whether the older woman wanted to burn the dresses, give them to others or do anything to them, Christina had no right to intervene.
Afraid that Christina would catch a cold, Nathaniel wrapped his towel around her and carried her in his arms. “Let’s go back.”
After speaking, he turned around and left, not forgetting to glare at Madison coldly, his brooding gaze piercing into the depths of her soul like a deadly arrow.
Madison felt like she had suffered a huge loss, even though she managed to exact some damage on Christina. While Christina fell into her trap, Madison also dug her own grave.
Nathaniel walked out while carrying Christina. When Sebastian, who was waiting outside the door, stepped forward, Nathaniel threw him an icy look from the side of his eyes.
Although Sebastian was standing outside, the voices indoors were so loud that he heard everything.
While Nathaniel continued walking out, Sebastian turned around and headed to the backyard.
The cold gusts of wind extinguished the matchsticks in the housekeeper’s hands as if they also opposed the burning of the gowns.
Looking at the exquisitely made gowns, Helen felt reluctant to burn them. However, they did not dare to defy Julia’s orders.
“Helen, please give me the gowns.” Sebastian walked over and stretched out his hand to take the gowns.
“But Mrs. Hadley…” Helen felt troubled.
Sebastian grabbed the gowns without waiting for her response. “Don’t worry. If Mrs. Hadley continues. to pursue this matter, say that Mr. Hadley took them. She won’t blame you.”
Helen was helpless to do anything. However, as she was genuinely reluctant to let such beautiful gowns be destroyed, she allowed Sebastian to take them.
Sebastian then walked out of the door and placed the gowns in the trunk before getting into the car
It was almost midnight when they arrived at Scenic Garden Manor. Christina, who was wrapped in two towels, went into the bathroom and soaked herself in warm water. Perhaps as she was too exhausted, she fell asleep the moment she changed into her pajamas.
In the middle of the night, however, she started to feel uncomfortable.
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Nathaniel stayed up late in his study, poring over documents before returning to his bedroom.
A subtle scent of flowers and fruit lingered in the air. I was the aroma of a woman who had just finished bathing. His eyes landed on the bed, where Christina had buried herself under the covers, with only her head sticking out.
He walked over and lifted the blanket, whispering, “Silly girl, won’t you have trouble breathing like this…”
Suddenly, his words were caught in his throat.
Christina’s cheeks were flushed with a rosy hue, and her nose was tinged with a pink shade. She looked like a ripened tomato.
Her long eyelashes trembled as she struggled to open her eyes. Despite her blurred vision, the man’s handsome features remained strikingly clear.
Christina struggled to speak due to the sharp pain in her throat. “Umm…”
haniel immediately covered her burning forehead, his eyebrows furrowed with concern. “It’s very
hot. You have a fever.”
“Hmm, seems like it,” Christina whispered weakly. It was no wonder that she felt tired and drowsy earlier. Yet, the more she dozed off, the more exhausted she became.
Nathaniel quickly grabbed his phone and called their family doctor, Daryl Zadoff. “Come over right away.”
After hanging up, he sat on the edge of the bed and lifted Christina into his arms. Her body felt like a burning furnace, radiating intense heat that warmed his chest.
In fact, she was so weak from the prolonged fever that she looked like a wilted flower nestled in his
armis.
Christina’s breathing was shallow and delicate, evoking a strong protective instinct in those around her.
Nathaniel furrowed his brows and instructed the housekeeper outside, “Get me some water, now.”
In a matter of minutes, the tranquil Scenic Garden Manor suddenly sprang to life, and everyone began bustling about.
Even Sebastian hurried over to help.
He rushed over after receiving Daryl’s call, thinking it was Nathaniel who was feeling unwell. It wasn’t until he arrived that he realized Christina had fallen ill.
Daryl tried to calm the grumpy Sebastian down by explaining, “Mr. Hadley sounded mad on the phone. I was afraid something was wrong, so I figured it was better to have you come, just to be safe.”
Just then, a deep, menacing voice sounded from inside the room. “Why are you standing there? Did I ask you to come here to chat?”
Flustered and scared, the duo hurriedly rushed into the room.
As Daryl’s eyes fell upon the girl cradled in Nathaniel’s embrace, he couldn’t help but gasp. Her beauty was breathtaking, enough to set one’s heart racing.
“Have you taken her temperature, Mr. Hadley?”
In response, Nathaniel glared at him. “Not yet.”
Daryl broke out in cold sweat. He couldn’t help but question Nathaniel’s ability to care for a patient as he hadn’t even taken Christina’s temperature, despite her obvious fever.
“Let’s take her temperature first.”
After helping Christina lie down, Nathaniel took her temperature. Five minutes later, Daryl prescribed medicine.
Not long after, the housekeeper arrived with a jug of warm water and set it down by the bedside. Nathaniel, known for his reserved and proud demeanor, fed Christina water with great care and tenderness. Watching him, she couldn’t help but feel amused and let out a gentle chuckle.
After a ten-minute wait, Nathaniel once again touched Christina’s forehead; his expression immédiately turned grim.
As he rose abruptly from his seat, the man’s towering figure seemed to fill the room with palpable
anger.
His cold gaze fell on Daryl. “Why hasn’t her fever gone down yet?”
The doctor was startled by Nathaniel’s question. After all, it was common knowledge that it would take time for the medicine to take effect.
Why is this cool-headed man losing his wits when Christina is sick?
“Don’t worry, Mr. Hadley. You need to wait for the medicine to take effect. The fever should subside half an hour later,” Sebastian hurriedly explained.
“That’s right. The medicine needs time to be absorbed into the body,” Daryl added, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Nathaniel loosened his collar and instructed, “Get out
With that, Sebastian and Daryl quickly left the room
They exchanged a look and let out a sigh of relief before making their way downstairs,
As Christina drifted off to sleep after taking her medicine, she was besieged by a relentless wave of heat
and sweat.
It was as if she had been cast into a scorching desert and buried under layer upon layer of searing sand, -her-body writhing in discomfort.
“Hot… so hot…” she moaned softly.
Nathaniel kept a vigilant watch at the young woman’s bedside; his eyes fixated on the gentle slope of her ivory skin and the enticing curves of her figure as she pulled his collar.
A surge of heat rippled through him, his emotions running wild as he strode over and took hold of her small, trembling hand.
Nathaniel realized Christina was tugging his collar because she was soaked in sweat.
He strode into the bathroom and fetched a hot towel. Carefully, he wiped away the beads of sweat that had gathered on Christina’s skin. Her complexion had paled, a clear sign that her fever had subsided.
Coincidentally, her complexion was a peachy, translucent white, and the scent wafting from her body. was enough to leave one spellbound.
As Nathaniel trailed his hand up her back to wipe off her sweat, he couldn’t ignore the supple and dewy texture of her skin. The searing heat under his fingertips caused him to shudder as though he had been electrocuted.
As Christina’s head leaned against Nathaniel’s shoulder, he couldn’t help but feel the warmth of her breath on his neck.
He raised his brow slightly and reached out to help her lie down. However, she leaned in and planted a
soft kiss on his cheek.
Suddenly, she murmured in a soft, sultry voice, “Jelly tastes so good.”
Nathaniel’s temples throbbed as he wondered if Christina had mistaken him for food.
Next, he cradled her neck with his hand and lowered her onto the bed. Enveloping her in a tender embrace, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Nathaniel had hoped to settle in for a peaceful night’s rest. Unfortunately, Christina continuously tossed and kicked the covers in search of a comfortable position.
Eventually, he resorted to wrapping his muscular thighs around her soft body, pulling her close until she finally quieted. They slept soundly, their bodies entwined through the night.
The morning light pierced through the window, casting a golden glow over the room.
As Christina slowly opened her eyes, she felt the stiffness in her body, having spent the whole night in the same position. She had turned into a human cushion for the man beside her, providing him with
support throughout the night.
She lifted her hand to push away his arm draped over her waist. Just as she was about to get out of bed, Nathaniel pulled her back again.
When Christina turned to face him, she was stunned by the sight of his handsome, sleeping face. Seeing such a delightful sight first thing in the morning lifted her spirits considerably.
After a good night’s rest, the dizziness and fatigue from the night before had disappeared. She felt completely rejuvenated, all ready to seize the day.
Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, she realized it was already ten o’clock. Nathaniel, however, remained sound asleep, showing no signs of getting up.
Christina whispered in his ear, “It’s getting late. Don’t you have to go to work?”
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Wondering if she had misheard, Christina asked, “Isn’t it inappropriate for you to skip work during this period?”
“It’s not a big deal,” he murmured lazily. –
He then tightened his arm around her, pulling her close like a doll.
Christina pouted, wondering how a CEO like Nathaniel could possibly understand the struggles of the common folk who have to clock in on time every day.
Oh well, I’ll just have to call Gina and take time off from work later.
“I’m hungry.” Having spent the night drinking only cold water, her stomach growled as soon as she woke up, reminding her of her hunger.
Nathaniel gently placed his palm on her forehead, checking for any signs of a fever. Once he confirmed that she was not running a temperature, he let out a sigh of relief.
As they sat down for breakfast, Christina couldn’t help but wonder if the chef had made it his mission. to use up every ingredient in the fridge. The table was laden with a vast assortment of dishes. It was a sumptuous feast more lavish than what would be served to a VIP.
“There isn’t a need to prepare so much food every time.” She then picked up a piece of pastry and ate
1.
Nathaniel remained quiet and focused on serving her food. It gave him a sense of satisfaction as though feeding a delicate little animal.
After breakfast, Christina sat on the couch in the study and worked on her design drawing..
Meanwhile, Sebastian hurried back and forth from the office to Nathaniel’s study, delivering and retrieving documents multiple times.
As noon approached, Madison arrived with a stack of documents in tow.
As she knocked and entered the study, she spotted Christina curled up in Nathaniel’s embrace, fully engrossed in her book.
Did Mr. Hadley not go to work because of Christina? She’s a femme fatale!
Madison approached his desk and stood firm. “Mr. Hadley, I have something important to discuss,” she
said.
As she spoke, her eyes shifted to Christina. It was an attempt to insinuate that it was inappropriate for Christina to listen to what she had to say.
As the CEO’s secretary, she was well aware of the company’s confidential matters and the need to keep them away from prying ears.
Christina, who caught Madison’s hint, was uninterested in hearing about the confidential matters of the Hadley Corporation. Thus, she put her book down and got ready to leave.
Before she could walk away, Nathaniel grabbed her wrist and pulled her back into his embrace.
With his head slightly lowered, Nathaniel’s lips grazed her earlobe as he spoke in a low, husky voice.
“Sit here.”
He tightened his grip around Christina’s waist, preventing her from leaving,
Does he fully trust her or is he confident that she wouldn’t understand our conversation?
Madison’s extensive experience in the workplace had taught her the skill of concealing her emotions. Hence, even though she felt irritated, she managed to keep a calm expression..
Nevertheless, she balled her hands into fists and clenched her teeth in frustration before speaking up. “Mr. Hadley, we spent over two months preparing for the contract with Orail Corporation. Will canceling the meeting now make all that effort go to waste?”
Her words were solely focused on the company’s interests, devoid of any personal sentiment.
It dawned on Christina that Nathaniel had canceled such an important meeting to accompany her. No wonder Madison glared at her with such resentment,
It was as though she was a wicked queen causing the downfall of a nation, the reason why the king would not attend to his duties.
Christina leaned in closer, her eyes fixed on Nathaniel’s unwavering expression. “I don’t have anything to do. Why don’t you stick to your planned schedule this afternoon?”
He shot her a frigid stare and responded coldly, “You haven’t fully recovered.”
For the first time in her twenty-plus years of life, Christina realized how delicate she could be. “It’s just a little cold; I’m fine now. Look, I have a good appetite. I could take on a tiger!” she exclaimed, lifting her tiny arm to prove her point to Nathaniel.
Nathaniel’s lips curled into a charming smile as he gazed at the spirited young woman.
He lifted his palm and tenderly ruffled Christina’s hair, making her feel like a small, adorable creature being comforted by its master.
Meanwhile, Madison found the scene before her to be distressing. She had been by Nathaniel’s side for four to five years, and she had never seen this cold, aloof man display such a sweet smile.
Madison had always believed that Nathaniel’s austere demeanor represented the entirety of his emotional range. It wasn’t until now that she realized how limited her perspective truly was.
In contrast, Christina could see the different facets of Nathaniel, unlocking a side of him that Madison had never witnessed before.
“Make arrangements for the afternoon meeting.” Nathaniel instructed.
Madison huffed, realizing she was no match for Christina’s effortless charm. She withdrew her envious. gaze, her eyes now bloodshot. “Okay,” she replied before turning away.
What right did Christina have to act like a hero and receive praise from Nathaniel? She’s responsible for this mess.
As Sebastian strode into the room with a stack of documents, he caught sight of Madison walking out
with red-rimmed eyes. Their eyes met briefly before she quickened her step and walked away with cold indifference.
When will Madison learn that Mr. and Mrs. Hadley are destined to be together?
Sebastian didn’t pay much attention and walked straight into the study.
Nathaniel studied the materials for the afternoon meeting, and before he knew it, it was already noon.
He brought Christina along when he left.
“Do I have to go too?” Christina was still trying to figure out what was going on when she was pushed into the back seat.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Sebastian turned around and suggested, “Why don’t you shop at Aquawood Mall, Mrs. Hadley? They’ve got all the big international brands you can imagine. Mr. Hadley has made a reservation in the restaurant on the fifth floor.”
“It’s so rare for you to have some time off. You should spend some time outdoors,” Nathaniel added.
Christina nodded in agreement. She realized Nathaniel had been worried she would be bored staying at Scenic Garden Manor all day. Hence, he brought her along to enjoy some fresh air.
When they arrived at Aquawood Mall, Nathaniel and Sebastian went to attend their business meeting, while Christina strolled around the mall with Nathaniel’s exclusive black card in her hand. The mall was a hub of luxury brands, and she could peruse all the latest seasonal collections within the building.
She stepped into a high-end boutique, and her eyes immediately widened in awe. Every piece on display was beautifully crafted. It was as if she had stumbled into a museum of fashion, and she couldn’t help but feel inspired by the sheer creativity and skill that went into making these stunning pieces.
Just then, a slender woman donning a baseball cap made her way over to Christina. The woman’s face was mostly concealed by a mask. “Do you like this dress too?” she inquired.
As Christina turned around, she couldn’t quite make out the woman’s face. However, there was something about the confidence that emanated from her eyes that was truly captivating. Her casual attire did little to conceal her alluring charm, and Christina found herself drawn to her.
Perhaps it was a woman’s innate nature to feel a connection when they both coveted the same item.
“The gown is unique in its design and color coordination. Although it’s a wedding dress, it’s not really suitable for formal occasions. It’s more suitable for artists to wear for photo shoots,” Christina said.
The woman became excited after hearing Christina’s response. “I thought the exact same thing! That’s why I haven’t been able to find a suitable wedding dress. Are you also here to pick out a dress for your wedding?” she asked.
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Christina chuckled and explained, “I’m a designer, so I have the occupational habit of stopping to look whenever I see a beautiful dress.”
The woman became even more excited after hearing that. “Oh, so you’re a designer. No wonder you have such good taste. How about we exchange contact information, and I’ll ask you to help me design my wedding dress?”
“All right, sure.” It was rare for Christina to stumble into someone she could get along well, so she took out her phone to exchange numbers with that woman
That woman took her leave after saving Christina’s number. “I have some work to attend to. Let’s keep in touch.”
Christina waved her hand at her. Only after the woman was gone did Christina recall she had forgotten to enquire about her name.
After saving the phone number, she continued to stroll around the mall.
When Nathaniel was done handling his matters, he had dinner with Christina. Noticing she seemed distracted during mealtime, he asked her, “What’s the matter?”
While shopping at the mall, Christina saw some gowns specifically designed for middle-aged ladies. Her heart ached as she was reminded of the gowns she had put in so much effort to design getting burned by Julia.
“Is Mrs. Hadley still mad at me? Should I find an opportunity to pay her a visit and apologize to her?”
She didn’t expect her actions would end up causing the relationship between the mother and son to become even more tense. If I had known Mrs. Hadley would disapprove of me so much, I wouldn’t have accepted the job previously.
“The gowns weren’t burned. I told Sebastian to retrieve it. As for my mom, just let her stay angry as she likes.” Nathaniel sipped his soup nonchalantly as if they were discussing someone else’s mother.
In fact, he knew his mother’s personality well. Once she got furious and had a bad impression of someone, nothing they did would be good enough for her.
His father did something wrong in the past, and no matter how he begged for her forgiveness afterward, it was fruitless.
Ultimately, his father started a family with another woman outside, leading to the current situation. No one could tell for sure who was right and who was wrong.
Christina felt guilty for deceiving Julia. “Why don’t we visit Mrs. Hadley some other day when you’re free?”
Nathaniel looked up and glanced at the sensible girl before him. “Do as you wish.”
A smile finally spread across Christina’s visage. The two returned home after finishing their dinner.
After taking a day off, she returned to the company the next day to find her desk piled with documents.
She sat in front of her computer to deal with her work. Right after the morning meeting ended, Gina angrily summoned her to Radiant Corporation’s clothing factory.
The clothing factory was located behind the company building, so Christina jogged all the way there.
When she arrived, she didn’t even have the time to catch a break because Gina immediately questioned her sternly, “Christina, what’s going on with these fabrics of inferior quality?”
Christina was baffled by the pile of discarded fabrics in front of her. Those fabrics were supposed to be used to manufacture next season’s clothes, but they realized there was a problem with the materials at few days before starting production.
At that moment, the factory director walked over and sneered, “What’s there to ask? She must’ve used the company’s money to purchase inferior-quality fabrics because she wanted to make a profit from the price difference.”
A group leader had the power to decide which factory’s fabric to use. Not to mention, the funds were also paid by the group leader. Hence, anyone wishing to make money from the price difference or get a kickback from the textile supplier could accomplish that effortlessly..
Christina immediately sensed the severity of the situation and firmly explained, “Ms. Tanner, I didn’t take any commission, nor did I order inferior-quality fabrics to make a profit.”
Gina grimaced. “Of course I trust you, but this problem happened under your watch. I need to provide. a reasonable explanation to my superior.”
Christina racked her brain, recalling the entire procuring process and trying to figure out where the problem could’ve possibly arisen.
She suddenly thought of something and said, “I have the order information and records of transactions. The fabric factory owner can also vouch for me.”
Gina shook her head in resignation. “Before I called you here, I had already tried to contact the factory owner, but his phone was turned off, and he had gone missing.”
Christina’s heart sank when she heard this. The witness is gone, meaning the only proof of my innocence is
lost.
At that moment, she felt as if she was wandering in the desert with no water or direction and could sense the oppressive crises closing in on her.
Gina turned around to make a phone call. It turned out their superior had already learned about that issue. After explaining for more than ten minutes, she finally returned to Christina’s side and conveyed the ultimatum. “Christina, I can only buy you two days. You can either fork out your own money to pay for a new batch of fabrics or resign.”
Looking at the pile of fabrics that even a beggar would disdain, Christina felt frustrated. She didn’t have the time to find out who had deliberately framed her because figuring out a solution to that problem took precedence.
On her way back from the factory to her office, Christina heard the whisperings inside abruptly cease when she pushed open the door.
She could sense everyone was looking at her with eyes filled with contempt.
Needless to guess, the issue about the problematic fabric must’ve spread to the office.
Caroline, the most delighted by Christina’s misfortune, scoffed. “I wonder how someone who resorts to all sorts of despicable means to make money from the company is qualified to be the group leader.”
When their gazes met, a hint of anger flashed across Christina’s eyes as she responded, “Before we find out the truth behind this matter, I suggest you mind your tongue.”
Caroline took a deep breath and glared at Christina. We shall see when you’ll have to pack your belongings and leave the office!”
She didn’t believe the company would retain Christina after the latter had done something like that.
Christina wasn’t in the mood to argue with Caroline. She gazed at her assistant and said, “Mandy, please help me organize all the information regarding the procurement of fabrics.”
Mandy got to her feet. “Okay-”
However, Caroline interrupted their conversation sarcastically, “Mandy, I advise you not to meddle in other people’s affairs. The consequences will be dire if someone tries to pin the blame on you later.”
Mandy broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing that. Caroline has a point… After all, I’m just an insignificant employee, while Christina has the support of Mr. Hadley. It be easy for her to find a scapegoat.
Christina finally knew what it felt like to be kicked when she was down. “That’s all right. I don’t need your help. I can handle this on my own.”
With that, she turned around and entered her office. The others exchanged glances and fell silent.
Christina sat before her desk, using her computer to search for information. She needed to find a new fabric supplier and order a new batch of material as soon as possible. I can use the design fee I received recently to cover this expense.
She didn’t have the time to overthink. After contacting a few textile factory owners and arranging a time to meet with them, Christina left the office in a hurry.
Despite having visited a few fabric factories, she didn’t manage to find a suitable supplier. Either the colors were off, or the factories were fully booked and couldn’t process her order.
The sky was already dark by the time Christina exited the café.
She felt upset and disheartened, having accomplished nothing after a busy day.
She returned to Scenic Garden Manor at around midnight. When she stepped into the living room, the air inside was freezing, causing her to shudder uncontrollably.
Chapter 116
Nathaniel was on the couch, clad in nothing but a bathrobe that partially revealed his chest as droplets. of water rolled down his neck. His very presence in the room commanded attention.
For a brief moment, Christina felt as if Nathaniel was a dazzling spark in the dark.
It was as though a glance at him would wash her exhaustion away.
As Nathaniel turned to her, he chided, “Why did you come back so late?”
He made it sound like Christina was a misbehaving girl, but the truth was that she had been walking. the entire day. Even blisters were about to form on her feet.
Frankly, she wanted to vent her frustrations to someone so that the weight on her shoulder would be lighter, but if she were to do that to Nathaniel…
Either he was going to make her stop working, or he was going to settle the score with her company.
Furthermore, Christina was an adult. She felt that she should not be bawling her eyes out over every trivial matter.
Thus, she walked over to him and said in a deliberately lighthearted tone, “The company had a show, so I was following up on it. That’s why I’m late.”
Nathaniel quietly stared at her, his gaze piercing.
Christina took in a guilty, sharp intake before stretching. Leaning on him, she then raised her head to look at him with puppy eyes. “I’m so tired. Darling, can you give me a massage?”
She even gave him a cute and earnest smile.
At that, Nathaniel reached up to rub her temples, his movements stiff. Christina guessed that it was his first time giving anyone a massage, but she did not mind it.
Instead, she slowly relaxed as she breathed in his scent.
Right then, the butler came over with supper. When he saw Nathaniel massaging Christina’s temples, he froze as if he had seen a ghost.
The mysophobic Mr. Hadley is letting Mrs. Hadley lean on him even though she hasn’t changed into fresh clothes?
Quietly, he turned around to return to the kitchen with the tray of food, not wanting to disturb their moment of peace.
Next morning. Christina left early.
When Nathaniel arrived in the office, Madison came into the room with several folders. It was then she realized that there was an unfamiliar woman sitting in the corner of the office.
Madison was wary of all women who approached Nathaniel. After a moment of studying the unfamiliar face, she averted her gaze and said, “Mr. Hadley, I’ve contacted the textile manufacturers you told me to.”
Nathaniel paused in his work and let his eyes flick toward Gina, who was on the couch. “I’ll leave this to
Gina walked over and flipped to the page with the fabric samples. Once she picked a company, she put its folder on the table. “This company has the right color.”
After receiving a quiet hum of acknowledgment from Nathaniel, Gina left with the folder.
It was then Madison realized what was going on. She had been busying away in the morning, only to pave the way for another woman.
Madison was willing to spend all her time working for Nathaniel, but she would not do it for anyone
else.
Gina had informed Nathaniel about the factory matter that happened the day before. She, too, knew that Christina had been having trouble looking for a suitable textile manufacturer.
Nevertheless, Nathaniel could find the right manufacturer immediately. Furthermore, when the manufacturer found out that Hadley Corporation was the one interested in the collaboration, they agreed to it immediately.
Once Gina left Hadley Corporation, she immediately called Christina and told the latter to head to the textile factory.
When Christina arrived, the factory manager came to greet her personally. “You must be the one Ms. Tanner was talking about. Please come in.”
Once Christina made sure that the textile factory was capable of manufacturing the fabric she was looking for, she asked, “Mister, I’d like to make an order for a batch of fabric. Will you be able to deliver in a week?”
The manager chuckled and answered, “Of course. Coincidentally, we have a free spot for this, so we’ll be able to deliver on time.”
A smile crept onto Christina’s face. “That’s wonderful. Let’s sign the contract right now then.”
“You’re quick in making decisions, Ms. Steele. I’d like to give you a discount.” At that, the factory manager asked his assistant to bring the contract and told Christina that he was giving her a twenty- percent discount. The two soon signed the contract.
Christina found herself relaxing as she looked at the signed contract.
As she walked out of the textile factory, she thought about how things seemed to have gone a little too smoothly. However, she soon thought about how her persistence had to be why things went well with the textile manufacturer.
When Christina returned to the company, she thanked Gina for the recommendation.
Then, she returned to her team, only to notice the strangeness in the air.
Her coworkers were looking at her with questioning gazes. They all felt that it was shameful for a group leader to use her title to get more earnings.
Despite making that mistake, Christina was still allowed to stay. The joyous expression she had face only irked her coworkers even more.
on
her
Caroline then took out a resignation letter from her drawer and gave it to Christina in front of the others. “Tm quitting. Radiant Corporation has changed. It’s no longer a company where all designers. get to
have equal rights”
Christina glanced at the resignation letter. Naturally, she knew that Caroline was doing this in public to assert dominance.
The atmosphere in the room was gloomy, and everyone seemed dispirited.
Christina ignored the letter and said. “I’ll be giving you all an explanation about the fabric. If you want to quit, you can hand this letter straight to the HR department. If you think that I was the one behind. the fabric incident, then I will have to say that you’re lacking in the intelligence department. Who would shoot themself in the foot by doing this to their subordinate?”
Her words made realization strike the others. It was then her coworkers realized that she made sense. Christina had Nathaniel backing her, so why would she greed for a small amount of money like this?
It simply did not make sense.
The look in Christina’s bright eyes turned grim. As she ambled over to Caroline, she questioned, “I will definitely find out who’s behind this. Tell me, are you in such a rush to leave the company because you feel guilty?”
If Christina’s memory served her right. Caroline was the one who was in charge of the contract, while Christina herself was only in charge of supervising the layout and signing the contract.
Subconsciously, Caroline tightened her grip on the letter, wrinkling it, as her heart skipped a beat.
At that very moment, the resignation letter felt like it was made of lead. Caroline could not lift it to pass it to Christina, but she curled her lips mockingly and said, “I’ll wait for you to do that, but if your investigation proves to be fruitless, I’d like to ask you to leave Team B.”
Without hesitation. Christina agreed. “Sure.”
Caroline returned to her station after letting out a scoff. The others did not dare to continue watching the show, and they quickly lowered their heads to focus on working instead.
Meanwhile, after Christina went back to her office, she started looking into the factory owner’s tracks, but it seemed as if the man had vanished into thin air.
When she looked at the transfer records, she found out that the traces of this deal had also been erased.
Hence, Christina became sure that someone was trying to frame her and get her kicked out of Radiant Corporation.
Chapter 117
Caroline had a bad premonition when she saw a grim-looking Christina walking into the office.
Although she had already deleted all the data and related invoices, she was worried Christina might track down the factory manager. That would spell big trouble for her.
Despite having cleared the air, Christina felt aggrieved about being wronged. When she got into her office, she immediately called Bailey and asked for her help to do some sleuthing.
Bailey was enigmatic and had multiple identities. Although she had been acquainted with her for so many years, Christina only knew she was an influential figure in the voice-over industry and was also one of the top three hackers.
It didn’t take long for Bailey to find out the address. Other than the hotel name, she also managed to get the check-in information and details of expenses incurred at the hotel.
Christina stared hesitantly at the address for a moment before calling the police.
She wasn’t stupid and would not risk her own safety by heading there personally.
As they had already filed a police report for the matter, the police were quick to act when they received her tip-off on the whereabouts of the suspect.
Christina was confident that so long as the suspect was detained, it would be easy to track down the mastermind of the matter.
Just then, the phone on her office desk rang. It was Gina on the line. “We have a VIP guest. Please come to the conference room now,” Gina requested.
When Christina reached the conference room, she saw that a few other designers were already gathered there.
Anna from Team A and Millie from Team C were there. They were both senior designers of the company with many years of experience in the industry.
The guest was a lady with almost half her face hidden behind a pair of oversized shades. She was looking through some designs, and from her pursed lips, it was pretty obvious she wasn’t too pleased. with what she saw.
Anna and Millie exchanged worried glances, stunned that even Gina’s design could not win her approval.
They reckoned no one in Radiant Corporation could meet her expectations.
That lady laid down the design drawings and asked, “Are there any works from other designers?” There was a tinge of disappointment in her voice.
Gina handed her another set of drawings and said, “There’s one more. She’s new to Radiant Corporation. Please take a look at her portfolio.”
The lady took the drawings, and after she went through a few, a smile broke out on her face. “This designer is good. Let me meet her.”
Gina immediately turned to Christina, pulled her over, and made the introduction. “She is the
The lady was visibly excited when she saw Christina. She removed her shades and exclaimed, “We meet again!”
When her face was revealed, there was a moment of silence in the room. Everyone was stunned.
That mysterious guest was Renee Olson, the most sought-after actress.
No one had expected a star like her would turn up at Radiant Corporation personally to look for a designer for her wedding gown.
Anna and Millie were devastated. If they had known who she was, they would have done their utmost to market their own designs.
Without a doubt, Renee’s wedding gown would definitely get lots of media attention, bringing fame and fortune to the designer.
Christina had no idea the lady she had met in the mall was a hot celebrity. Renee had made special efforts to disguise herself in order to stay incognito while she was in public places.
Renee held Christina’s hand and grumbled, “Why didn’t you respond to the messages I sent you?”
As Christina did not save Renee’s contact details, she could not recognize the phone number. She had thought those were unsolicited junk messages, so she had conveniently ignored them.
“My apologies. I must have missed them.” She told a harmless white lie.
Once again, Gina, Anna, and Millie were stunned.
Famous celebrities like Renee were notoriously private and would not reveal their personal contact number to any Tom, Dick, and Harry.
“No issue! Come, let’s discuss my wedding gown design!” Renee chummily made Christina sit down next to her and began to rattle off her list of requirements.
“I don’t want the top to be too revealing. As for the bottom, I want it to be elaborate, preferably with exquisite and eye-catching details. Most importantly, the design must show off my tiny waist! Oh, is it possible to add some glittery diamonds?”
Bombarded with a quick succession of demands and worried that she might forget any details, Christina quickly took out her tablet and recorded everything Renee asked for.
Renee and Christina were totally engrossed in their discussion and paid no attention to the other three ladies in the room.
Anna and Millie knew they stood no chance anymore, so they bitterly left the room. They were green with envy that Christina was given the lucky break to work with Renee.
On the other hand, Gina quietly sat down next to Renee and Christina, listened to their discussion, and occasionally chipped in with her own suggestions.
Before they knew it, three hours had passed, and they had spent almost the entire morning on that discussion. When Renee was finally ready to leave, Christina and Gina personally walked her to the
door.
As Renee put on her shades, hiding her gorgeous eyes, she reminded Christina, “Remember to send the design drafts to me when you’re done, Christina. I’ll send my hubby over later so you can get his
measurements.”
“Sure, Ms. Olson! Enjoy your day!” Christina smilingly replied.
Renee was elated that she had finally found a designer for her wedding gown. She cheerfully blew Christina a kiss as she turned around to leave.
At times, Gina could not help but be envious of Christina, who was blessed with talents as well as solid backing. She had no doubts Christina would go far in the industry.
Just as she and Christina were leaving the conference room, an ashen-faced assistant came running toward them, shouting, “It’s terrible, Ms. Tanner! Quick! Please head over to Team B now! A crazy guy has forced his way in!”
After giving each other a worried look, Gina and Christina dashed over to Team B’s office.
When they arrived, they saw a crowd gathered outside the office. Those were Team B’s staff who had run out of their office. A few security personnel were inside, facing off against the intruder.
Giná pushed her way through the crowd and entered the office. Christina caught a glimpse of the intruder and recognized he was the factory manager who had run off with the funds.
Throwing caution in the wind, she took the risk and made her way into the office as well.
The manager was clasping onto Caroline’s throat with one hand while his other hand was holding a knife to her neck. “You b*tch! You must be the one who sold me out to the police and led them to my hideout!” he yelled into her ear.
A terrified Caroline quavered and explained, “N-No, I-I didn’t. I sent you a message urging you to leave as soon as possible! I didn’t expect the police to find you…”
She had been worried if the manager did not leave after getting the money, then sooner or later, Christina might hunt him down. She had never expected her innocent act of sending him a warning. message would lead him to mistakenly think she was the one who had betrayed him.
“You were the one who instigated me to misappropriate Radiant Corporation’s funds. Yet, you were also the one who turned around and reported me to the police! You’re evil!” The manager tightened his grip on her neck. He had had a narrow escape and managed to run away just before the police surrounded his hiding place. Disgruntled, he had come to seek revenge on her. “If I fall, I’ll make sure you go down with me!”
Caroline felt the cold blade of the knife pressing against her neck, and she cried out in distress. Not only did she fail to frame Christina, but her plans had backfired and put herself at risk instead.
The security personnel had not made an attempt to wrestle the knife from the intruder. They were worried for Caroline’s safety. One wrong move from them could infuriate the manager, and he would harm Caroline.
The manager was getting emotional, and Gina could see there were already a few bruises on Caroline’s neck. Eyeing the knife worriedly, she implored, “Calm down! Let’s talk it out. Please don’t hurt her.”
Christina stepped forward and declared, “Let go of Caroline and we’ll forgive you of your crime. Deal?”
Chapter 118
The factory manager’s eyes widened as he glared at Christina. “Do you mean what you said?”
Christina answered firmly, “Of course. Let Caroline go now. There’ll be no room for negotiation if you hurt her.”
The man was hesitant. After all, he had only come seeking revenge out of impulse. Now that things were getting out of hand, he was beginning to feel scared.
Just when he was about to let Caroline go, the security guard seized the opportunity and leaped at the factory manager. Before he could react, he was already pressed on the ground.
Caroline collapsed on the ground and cried from the shock. She could have died if the blade had sliced her.
Rage washed over the man when he realized he had been tricked. “You b*tch! What did I do to you to deserve this? You were the one who made me frame your group leader. And now, you’re throwing me under the bus? I’ll expose you even if I’m captured!”
His voice was so loud that his words traveled to the ears of those in the corridor. Everyone knew Caroline and the factory manager had worked together to slander Christina.
In the end, the factory manager was taken away while Caroline stood rooted to the ground with many disapproving gazes fixed on her. It was an extremely embarrassing situation.
Everyone knew it was not the first time Caroline had given Christina a hard time. However, her latest trick was too unacceptable.
Gina’s expression turned solemn. “Caroline, come to my office. There’s something you need to explain. to the company.”
Knowing what she was about to face, Caroline cast Christina a resentful glare. Alas, there was no turning things around at that point.
Caroline had no choice but to follow Gina out of the oflice.
The employees who had finally learned about the truth fell silent. Some felt ashamed for not believing Christina, while some felt guilty for talking behind her back.
However, Christina seemed unfazed by it. “Get back to work if you’re done watching,” she ordered before entering her office.
Caroline, on the other hand, packed her things as soon as she exited Gina’s office.
It was no surprise that she was fired, but not a single person-not even the ones who usually chatted with her in the pantry-sent her off.
When it was almost time to get off work, a notice was posted by the company to clear Christina’s name.
Just as Christina was packing her things to go home, her phone rang. It was Bailey calling to ask about her situation.
Both of them decided to meet at a mall under Hadley Corporation.
Mon, Ma
It had been a long time since they had last met. They went on a shopping spree and did not stop until they could barely carry the bags.
After chatting for some time at a café, Bailey pulled Christina to an undergarment store.
Bailey picked up a set of red undergarments and placed it in front of Christina to compare the size. Pride of the Night was its name.
“This suits you,” commented Bailey with a smirk.
Christina’s face flushed red when she saw the undergarment made of little fabric. “I don’t want that.”
Seeing how shy Christina was, Bailey chuckled and whispered into her ears. “Don’t you and Mr. Hadley need a little spice? I’m sure things are exciting with a body like his.”
Bailey had met Nathaniel on the plane before. He exuled a strong masculine aura and had a gaze that could make any woman fall head over heels for him.
Christina quickly covered Bailey’s mouth to stop her from spouting nonsense. “I’m going to check out the pajamas. Take your time to shop.”
After looking around, Christina bought a set of cartoon-printed pajamas. While she was paying for it, Bailey sneaked Pride of the Night into her bag.
The two had dinner together before Christina returned to Scenic Garden Manor.
Since Nathaniel had not gotten off work, she simply set the bag down by the bed and went off to take a shower.
It was only after she had taken a shower did she realize she had forgotten to bring her pajamas in. She walked out with the towel wrapped around her.
At that time, Nathaniel had returned and was sitting on the couch while reading a document.
Like an animal sensing its predator, Christina quickly retracted her foot that had just stepped out of the bathroom. “Nathaniel, can you hand me my pajamas from the bag?”
Nathaniel made a hum of acknowledgment before putting down his document. He then walked over to the shopping bag and looked inside.
Just then, a shadow caught his attention. He curled his lips into a smirk, picked the garment up, and placed it in Christina’s hand.
Huh? Why does it feel so light?
Christina lowered her gaze to find Pride of the Night in her hand instead of the cartoon-printed pajamas
she wanted.
When did Bailey put this in? She’s a terrible friend!
Christina’s face turned red. She looked as if she had just come out of a spa massage. “You’ve got the wrong one. I didn’t mean this!”
There was a mischievous twinkle in Nathaniel’s dark eyes. “I want to see you in it. Come on Don’t be shy.”
Suddenly, the door was pushed open, causing Christina to take a few steps backward in fright. The moment Nathaniel stepped into the bathroom, his tall figure made the entire space become cramped.
Christina curled herself into a ball like an animal facing a strong predator.
“What are you doing? Get out!”
Christina’s voice was like a feather tickling his cars. Her delicate collarbone triggered a sensation in his body.
He leaned closer and tilted his head a little to his lips grazed her earlobe as he spoke. “Do you need help?”
Christina’s heart raced uncontrollably. It raced faster as time passed as if it was going to leap out of her body.
She did not dare to speak, so she shook her head like frightened prey, honest yet at a loss for what to
1.
“Get dressed quickly. I’ll wait for you outside Nathaniel could not help but plant a kiss on her tender
check.
However, that move shattered his remaining ounce of self-control, and the faint fragrance made him lose all sense of rationality.
Immediately, his lips shifted from her check to her lips as he breathed in all the fragrance.
The kiss was so intense that it left Christina disorientated. It was as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of her lungs. Her heart beat so fast that she felt the need to call for an ambulance.
Time seemed to have come to a halt in the bathroom as the two intertwined figures grew blurry in the
steam.
When they went downstairs to have their meal, Raymond asked Christina with worry, “Mrs. Hadley, are you having a fever again? Why is your face so red
Christina was in her cartoon-printed pajamas with her long hair covering most of her face. “I’m fine. I’m just dehydrated. I’ll be fine after drinking some water.”
She picked up the glass and took a few gulps. Nathaniel could not help but smile at the sight of that.
Christina shot him a resentful glare. How dare you smile? You were the one who made me like this!
After they finished their dinner, Madison showed up.
“Mr. Hadley, there’s an urgent document that needs your signature.”
Nathamel got to his feet and went upstairs with Madison.
Chapter 119
Nathaniel studied the document carefully in the study before penning his signature and placing the document on the table. Instead of leaving after taking the document. Madison stared at him, looking hesitant to speak.
Nathaniel cast her an indifferent glance. “Is there something else?”
Christina bit her hp but did not show any excessive expressions “Mr. Hadley, are you sending me abroad because of Christina?”
She had just received a notice from the HR department that she would be in charge of a project. abroad. It would take at least two months or more.
In truth, she realized Nathaniel had been more indifferent to her ever since she exposed that Christina was Ada to Julia.
The feeling was as painful as someone stabbing her heart.
Nathamel propped his chin up with his hand, his face slightly facing downward, which prevented the light from reaching his eyes Madison dared not look straight into those dark eyes.
“Are you suggesting I’m bringing my private matters into work” His tone sounded icy and
domineering
Madison felt a chill run down her spine. “Of course not I just think you’ve been distancing yourself from me on purpose. Is it because of Ada’s identity didn’t mean it.”
Her fists were balled without her realizing it. At the same time, she felt a wave of uneasiness, for she had no idea what was about to happen next.
As Nathaniel lifted his gaze, his eyes lit up under the lights, making him look like a wolf lurking in the bushes Targeting her won’t do you any good. If you don’t want to stay in Hadley Corporation, you
can leave anytime”
Madison felt aggrieved, but she did not dare to speak honestly. After all, she knew well that Nathaniel was not giving her a warning. Rather, it was a final chance.
I’ve been by Nathaniel’s side for so many years, and I’ve ever done a lot for him. How is it that I’m not better than Christina who only appeared in his life for a few months?
Madison could not admit defeat, but she still went against her heart. “N-No… I respect Mrs. Hadley with all my heart. I accept your arrangements and will do my best to complete it smoothly.”
Nathaniel hummed icily in acknowledgement.
“That’s all. I’ll get going first.” With that, Madison picked up the document and exited the study.
When Madison met Christina’s gaze at the staircase, she badly wanted to tear her apart.
Why is it that she gets to stay by Nathaniel’s side every day while I’m sent to another country because of a trivial
matter?
Even so, Madison knew it was not the right time to go against Christina. She recollected herself and greeted, “Hello, Mrs. Hadley.”
Christina caught the look of fury that flashed past Madison’s eyes. Why bother pretending to be friendly when she clearly doesn’t like me? Just exactly how scheming is this woman that she can go to such an extent?
Christina simply flashed Madison a smile before heading upstairs.
A hostile aura still lingered in the study when Christina entered. Nathaniel was looking through some documents which seemed never-ending.
“It’s late. Aren’t you going to get some rest?” she asked. He should be tired from working hard every day. Even robots get tired, too.
Nathaniel embraced her, his gaze still glued to the documents. “I’ll be done in a while.”
Unable to convince him otherwise, Christina decided to stay in his arms and study the documents with him. However, the dense text was long and boring, so it did not take long for her to fall asleep.
What they did not know was that a camera was secretly capturing everything and displaying it on another computer.
Julia was infuriated when she saw the lovey-dovey scene on the screen.
This b*tch is a tricky one. No wonder Nathaniel keeps falling harder for her. She can really flirt!
“I’ll never let Nathaniel be with a woman who’s full of schemes!”
Julia slammed the laptop shut.
Helen, on the other hand, could only watch Julia fume in silence. She had no idea how to console her.
After all, it was Nathaniel who had pulled Christina into his embrace. Christina had only advised him. to rest early. Helen did not think it was an evil trick.
“Mrs. Hadley, if Mr. Hadley finds out we fixed a camera there, he’ll definitely be mad. Should we do it another way?” Helen suggested softly.
The consequences would be dire if Nathaniel found out they had been spying on him in the study.
Julia pounded the table and hissed, “This is my plan, and there won’t be any changes to it.”
Christina never would’ve managed to hide her identity if Nathaniel did not help her to lie to me. So, why can’t I return the favor by installing a hidden camera? Since I was played by Christina. I’m going to separate the two of
them.
Helen thought Julia was becoming rather extreme, but she did not dare to say much as a mere servant.
The next day, Christina saw Renee sitting in her office by the time she arrived.
There was a mask and a pair of sunglasses on the table, and the woman was dressed in a set of casual clothes. Christina figured Renee was keeping a low profile to avoid the reporters.
“Christina, you’re finally here. How’s the design drawing?” asked Renee with concern.
“I’ve just started drafting it, so it won’t be done so soon. Let’s take your measurements today,” Christina answered with a smile.
Under normal circumstances, a design drawing would usually take a week to be completed. After taking Renee’s measurements, Christina poured her a glass of water.
Having answered a phone call, Renee said to Christina exasperatedly. “My husband can’t make it today. Can you come to my house to take his measurements? You know he’s a celebrity, too. It’s quite inconvenient for us to move around.”
Christina could understand, so she answered, “Okay.
She informed Gina about it before leaving the company with Rence.
Taysley Prime was one of the high-end mansions that cost tens of millions per square meter and had strict security.
Renee unlocked the door with her fingerprint and invited Christina into the house.
The interior was spotless with sunlight shining in. Even the air smelled fresh, too. Not only that, but the furnishings in every inch of the house seemed costly.
“My husband is probably still sleeping. Please make yourself comfortable while I go get him.” Rence turned around and headed upstairs.
Christina sat down at a random spot. “Okay.”
Just like that, she was left alone in the huge living room, which made her feel uneasy. Fortunately, she soon heard footsteps approaching.
She lifted her gaze, only to find a man with slender legs dressed in a white shirt and a black suit. His lean shoulders gave him a clean and neat look.
Both of them were taken aback when they finally registered each other’s faces.
“Francis? You’re Renee’s husband?” asked Christina in shock.
Francis walked over. She looks cute with her eyes widened like that. “You’re the designer she hired?”
“Yes.” Christina nodded.
A glint flashed past Francis’ eyes and a smirk appeared on his lips when he said, “You’re here to take my measurements, aren’t you?”
Chapter 120
Christina got to her feet and scanned Francis’ tall figue, feeling hesitant. “I forgot to bring my measuring tape.”
Immediately, Francis narrowed his eyes and glanced at the shoulder bag hanging by her side. She’s hired to design the formal attires. Hoto could she possibly not bring her measuring tapes?
It was clear that she did not want to take his measurements.
“Why don’t you give me your number, then? We can arrange for another time.” While saying that, he took a step forward and caught a whiff of her perfume
It was not a smell that contained alcohol but the fragrance of natural blooming flowers.
Christina nodded and took out her phone to exchange their numbers.
This time, Francis watched her save her number on his phone with his own eyes.
Getting his measurements was the main point of visiong his house. Since that could not be done that day, Christina figured she should just leave early.
However, she was caught off guard the moment she lied her head, and she shuddered like a frightened kitten. Even her hair stood on end.
No matter how calm she looked on the outside, her heart was racing fast. Their lips had almost touched earlier.
Why is he standing so close? It’ll make others suspicious.
Christina’s hand was sweaty as she muttered, “I just remembered I have something to take care of in the office. Please tell Rence I’ll make the arrangement for another day.”
Having said that, she left in a hurry.
The moment she left the house, she was greeted by the winter breeze. Only then did she feel more alive.
Just as she left the residential area, her phone rang. It was a call from the nurse at the hospital.
“Ms. Steele, your mother’s condition has worsened. Please come to the hospital quickly.”
Christina hung up and rushed to the hospital.
The hospital bed was surrounded with all kinds of instruments with her mother lying on it looking extremely pale.
Her mother had been recuperating in a private ward of the hospital. In fact, she would be discharged that month. It did not make sense that her condition had worsened all of a sudden.
Christina tugged at the doctor’s coat and asked urgently, “I thought my mother’s condition was already stable. Didn’t you say she’d recover after recuperating for some time?”
“Logically, yes, but Mrs. Steele’s body deteriorated rapidly. Some of her organs were affected as well.” The doctor was surprised, too. After all, her condition should not have become so serious even if it was
Pausing momentarily, the doctor continued, “There were many bruises on Mrs. Steele’s body made by blunt objects. Do any family members who visited have violent tendencies? Perhaps you can get the police’s help.”
A look of shock appeared on Christina’s face. The idea of her mother getting attacked broke her heart. Could her condition have worsened because someone attacked her?
“I’ll look into this. Please take care of my mother.” Christina responded with a frown.
“We can only use medication to control her condition now. Even if we need to perform surgery, we need to wait until the time when her body can handle it,” answered the doctor with worry.
“All right. I’ll pay the bill now. Please take good care of my mother.”
The doctor nodded. “We’ll do our best.” With that, he walked away.
Christina went to the first floor to settle the bill without wasting any time.
When the cashier handed Christina the bill, the latter realized it cost tens of thousands for one day. It’ll cost at least five hundred thousand a month.
When Radiant Corporation’s fabrics had issues back then, she used the money she earned from Julia to pay for the goods. The company had promised to return the balance to her once the case was over.
She had just enough in her bank to last for a month.
Still, Christina did not hesitate to pay the bill. She returned to the ward to take care of her mother before finally leaving in the afternoon.
Worry was displayed all over her face the second she stepped out of the hospital. How am I going to make so much money in such a short time? Should I get Nathaniel’s help? It’s not a small amount, though. This is a year’s living expenses for ordinary families.
She decided to think of ways to make money and would only get Nathaniel’s help when she was desperate.
Ever since Hannah revealed Christina’s identity to Julia, Christina had never contacted the former again.
In fact, Christina had rejected all of Hannah’s calls when she tried to apologize.
Trusting an unreliable person again could put her in danger.
Now that her fastest source of income had been cut off, she shifted her focus to designing Renee’s wedding gown.
For-projects like that, the company would only take a thirty percent commission while the rest would
go to her.
If the project could be completed, the concerns with the medical bills for the next month would be solved, and she would have more time to take care of it.
Christina began drawing the design as soon as she returned to the office. She did not leave even after
Her shadow was elongated under the lamp while her eyelashes were lowered slightly as she fixed her gaze on the tablet.
Just then, the ringing of a phone broke the silence in the office. Christina answered it without checking who the caller was. “Hello?”
Her gentle voice put a smile on Francis’ face. “Can you come over to take my measurements tomorrow?”
His magnetic voice sounded gentle, unlike Nathaniel’s deep, cold voice. Christina immediately realized who the caller was.
Usually, she would have rejected the suggestion. However, all she wanted at that moment was to complete the project and get the commission as soon as possible.
“All right. Give me your address. I’ll send my assistant over tomorrow,” she informed nonchalantly, still focused on the pen.
Francis’ eyes dimmed a little. “That can’t do. I’m not someone ordinary people can meet. You need to come here on your own.”
Of course, Christina knew how influential he was in the country. Even though he had been spending most of his time training newcomers behind the scenes for the past few years, any show he participated in could make the fans excited.
“Okay. I’ll head over personally.” Christina then ended the call.
It was almost dawn when she finally sent the design to Renee and packed her things to go home.
She also sent Nathaniel a text before heading to Evelyn’s house.
Early the next morning, Christina took a taxi to Francis’ studio.
An artist’s studio was usually located in less crowded places like the suburbs.
After getting out of the car, Christina examined the fabulously designed private studio. It had a cozy vibe.
On top of that, it was peaceful like a paradise since it was far from the hustle and bustle of a big city.
There were no industrial high rises around, so the sunlight shone directly on the lush field while the main colors of the building-blue and white-made it look well-defined.
The shiny floor-to-ceiling glass windows and geometric outline gave it a stylish look. Not only that, but each corner was decorated with unique artwork.
Every twisted lamp and simple painting was made by a famous artist.
After informing the purpose of her visit, the receptionist brought Christina to the office in the deepest part of the building.