Ch. 231..240
Chapter 231
“Mr. Hadley, it’s been a while. Let’s have a drink first.”
Aldrich had collaborated with the Hadley family previously. Their meeting this round was because their contract had expired.
For the five years that the two had collaborated, they had a considerably fruitful collaboration since their profits had been increasing.
The Anderson family was in the business of dried fruit exportation and subsequently expanded to exporting various goods. They mainly relied on the Hadley family’s ships for their exportations.
Nathaniel lifted his wine glass and took a sip. His unfathomable eyes darkened.
Not bothering with superfluous words, he went straight to the main point. “I heard you wanted to extend the contract date, Mr. Anderson. I want a zero–point–five percent increase in profit.”
Even though a zero–point–five percent increment sounded little, it would be a difference of tens of millions for large–scale projects.
Hugging a woman with his right hand and holding onto a wine glass with his left, Aldrich laughed. “That’s not a big issue. We have been working for so long. I know you’re a fair man, Mr. Hadley.”
The Anderson family still had to depend on Hadley Corporation to earn money, so naturally, he did not want their relationship to turn sour.
Moreover, the increment was considered reasonable.
Aldrich nudged the woman in his embrace. “Are you not going over to thank Mr. Hadley?”
The woman stood up. She had a tall and slender figure and a pretty face. Her makeup was so thick she looked like a saucy vamp as she walked toward Nathaniel.
Aldrich had especially brought her along to offer her to Nathaniel.
She did not know Nathaniel was so handsome prior to seeing him. One glance was enough to make her heart thump wildly.
Before she could get anywhere near Nathaniel, she was stopped by Sebastian. “Mr. Hadley isn’t interested. Please step back.”
Mr. Hadley can’t touch other women. He’ll be in danger. Besides, this woman isn’t Mr. Hadley’s type at all.
That woman’s expression changed slightly. I haven’t even done anything. How does he know he won’t like it? I’m such a perfect woman. Any man would fall for me!
Nathaniel’s handsome face gradually turned grim. Even though he remained silent, his gloomy expression was equivalent to a tacit rejection.
To butter up to Nathaniel and forge a good relationship, Aldrich basically gave up a woman and offered her to the former. Little did he imagine that the former was not pleased with it.
Nonetheless, Aldrich did not appear awkward. After all, he had met many men who would find excuses to reject him the first time.
That’s merely all on the surface. Which man in this world isn’t into good looks?
“Mr. Hadley, Ms. Taylor isn’t like any other woman. Perhaps you’ll know once you give it a try. There’s not need to reject my offer. We’re all men; we understand.”
Many liked offering women to build relationships in the business circle because that was the fastest way to forge a connection. It gave off the vibe that they would be in the same boat since they sinned together.
That way, no matter what collaboration it was, all negotiations would be smooth sailing.
Nathaniel abruptly rose to his feet. “I’ll get my assistant to send the contract over tomorrow. As for that woman, I’ll leave her to you, Mr. Anderson.”
Behind him. Aldrich wanted to say something else, but the tall figure had already walked toward the door.
It was that woman’s first time being heartlessly rejected. That man never even tried. How would he know he doesn’t like me?
With a darkened gaze, she passed by Sebastian and strode toward the exit.
Before long, she caught up with Nathaniel…
She took a gentle leap and wrapped her arms around Nathaniel’s shoulders. “Mr. Hadley, why are you leaving so quickly? Are you shy to see me? Why don’t I accompany you for a while longer? Or I can follow you back too…”
Then, she insolently planted a kiss on Nathaniel’s ear. A gush of searing heat surged through the man, and he began to display allergy symptoms.
-It almost felt like he had lost control of his heart, and his breathing became extremely difficult.
He forcefully swung the woman off him. “Get lost!”
His voice was deep and hoarse, a sign that he was having an allergic reaction.
Frustration overwhelmed Sebastian. Does this woman not understand what I said? I told her not to get close to Mr. Hadley. How dare she pounce on him?
He quickly went up to support Nathaniel. “It’s my fault for not keeping an eye on this woman, Mr. Hadley. Let’s head back first.”
The whites of Nathaniel’s eyes became blood–red, and his breathing gradually grew difficult.
With great difficulty, he coldly ordered, “Let’s go.”
“Yes, Mr. Hadley.”
Sebastian followed Nathaniel out of the private room, leaving behind the utterly stumped Aldrich.
Rumor has it that Mr. Hadley stays away from women. I always thought it was because the women weren’t pretty enough to catch his attention. So it turns out the real reason is that he can’t touch women?
Soon, at Sharbrook Manor, the sound of a car’s engine rang out from the courtyard.
Christina, who was lying on the couch, jumped to her feet like an agile cat and ran outside in small steps.
“Nathaniel, you’re back-”
Before she could finish her sentence, a tall figure leaned on her slender shoulders.
A cloying scent of perfume wafted into Christina’s nostrils. She narrowed her eyes slightly as she grew wary. “Where did you go? Why do you reek of perfume?”
A jealous expression crossed her face. “You were out till this hour and stink of alcohol. Don’t tell me you went to look for women!” she grudgingly complained.
Following behind Nathaniel, Sebastian was nonplussed yet amused. Mr. Hadley will experience an allergic reaction all over his body when he touches women and might even need to visit the hospital for emergency treatment if it’s too severe. How is it possible that he’d go and find women?
“That’s not it, Mrs. Hadley. A business partner tried to offer Mr. Hadley a woman. Mr. Hadley firmly rejected it at once, but who knew that the woman would actually pounce on him. That’s why there’s a perfume scent on Mr. Hadley.”
Christina looked at Sebastian quizzically. “Then why is he burning hot all over as if he is having an allergic reaction?”
There were many small, red bumps on Nathaniel’s neck area, and it was apparent it was an allergy symptom.
Just as Sebastian wanted to respond, Nathaniel shot him a warning look. “T–That’s because Mr. Hadley ate mushrooms. He can’t eat mushrooms; otherwise, he’ll have an allergic reaction…”
Christina furrowed her brows in doubt. Why haven’t I heard that Nathaniel is allergic to mushrooms before this?
–“Mrs. Hadley, bring Mr. Hadley to the room to rest first. I’m worried that he’ll feel unwell.” Sebastian was
so anxious he was about to burst into tears.
If it weren’t for Mr. Hadley refusing to go to the hospital, I would’ve sent him there to get a shot. At least this is the safest and most reliable way to deal with his symptoms.
“All right. I’ll call you if there’s anything.”
Like a small bunny supporting a giant beast, Christina held onto the towering man. That sight was, in fact, somewhat bizarre yet heartwarming.
After heading upstairs, she brought a towel moistened with warm water to help Nathaniel wipe his face.
Under the lighting, there was a dazed look in Nathaniel’s usually hostility–laced gaze. A frown marred his countenance slightly, and under his high nose bridge were his alluring lips. He exuded an immense masculine aura from head to toe, leaving one mesmerized by his good looks and charm at a glance.
“Oh… Why do you have that many red spots on you? Why don’t you go to the hospital to have it checked?”
Christina was undoubtedly stunned by the sight. She initially thought he was only showing symptoms around his neck. Only after unbuttoning his shirt to reveal his defined chest did she realize that the signs. were showing on his body too.
This looks pretty serious. He can’t stay at home any longer.
–As she reached for her phone to call Sebastian, a hand seized her wrist with immense strength.
Chapter 232
Christina felt as if the world was spinning around her. Before she realized it, she was already pinned on
the bed.
Nathaniel fixated his sharp gaze on Christina’s terrified face. It looked as if a powerful individual was intimidating the vulnerable.
“What’s wrong. Nathaniel? Are you feeling unwell?”
Are his allergies causing neurological confusion now? Why is he glaring at me like I’m his enemy? He looks rather
scary…
“Nathaniel…” Christina called his name gently.
As Christina’s gentle voice traveled into his ears, Nathaniel felt a ripple effect in his heart.
He felt as if he were being burned by fire. It had been so long that he had almost forgotten about his allergy. Otherwise, he could have avoided being taken advantage of by the woman just now.
Cradling Christina’s head, Nathaniel gently kissed her on the forehead. “I’m fine. I just need a good night’s rest,” he reassured.
Then, Nathaniel tightened his grip on Christina’s slender waist and lifted her up along with the blanket below them, enveloping her in his embrace.
At dawn, sunlight gradually illuminated the sky.
A sweet scent lingered inside the warm sheets..
Nathaniel gave Christina, who was still asleep, a gentle kiss and woke her up. “Time to get up breakfast. We don’t want you to feel hungry.”
and eat
Christina mumbled something inaudible in reply. Then, like a newborn kitten, she pounced on Nathaniel and checked for the red spots on his body. “Your allergy symptoms have subsided,” she exclaimed. “What happened last night? Is it really just because of some mushrooms?” Christina’s tone was filled with curiosity and confusion.
A dark look flashed across Nathaniel’s eyes. “Yes. Please remember not to give me any mushrooms.”
He did not want Christina to know about his problem or, even worse, misunderstand him.
Christina had no doubt upon hearing his confirmation. “Okay. To be honest, I don’t like mushrooms too.”
The two indulged in some extra sleep before finally getting up.
Sharon fely contented watching the couple during breakfast.
Nothing in the world could bring her more joy and contentment than seeing her daughter happy.
After Sharon asked Catalina to serve them a bowl of oatmeal each, she asked, “Christina, when are you Nathaniel going to have a baby?”
and
Christina choked on her food. What baby? She wasn’t ready for the topic yet…
Nathaniel, on the other hand, responded calmly, “That depends on Christina. We’ll have a baby when she
decides the time is right, no pressure.”
In truth, Nathaniel enjoyed the time spent alone with Christina because he could cuddle with her all night without any interruptions.
Christina glared at him. What do you mean by saying that it depends on me?
Christina knew that Nathaniel didn’t want a child either. Yet, he shifted the responsibility entirely onto
her.
“My career is just starting to take off, and Nathaniel is busy with his work too. We don’t have plans for a baby as of now,” Christina replied.
Sharon felt worried upon hearing that. “You can pursue your career any time. It’s not like Nathaniel cannot afford to take care of you! You can continue your career after having a child.”
Sharon believed that it was important for Christina to bear children while she was still young.
Isn’t it a wonderful thing to have a husband and a child?
“I’m going to decorate my studio today, Mom. I won’t be accompanying you then.”
After gulping down the oatmeal, Christina grabbed Nathaniel’s hand and hurried out of the house.
Sharon felt even more nervous when she saw the couple dashing off.
After letting out a sigh, she turned to Catalina. “Look at those two. I have no idea what’s going on in the minds of the younger generation. Christina has such a good husband. Why doesn’t she want to have children as soon as possible?”
“I have something to tell you, Mdm. Zapler. I found this in Ms. Christina’s bedroom.”
She took out a bottle of contraceptive pills and handed it to Sharon.
“I saw her taking these behind Mr. Hadley’s back this morning! Seems like she doesn’t want children yet.”
Sharon almost fainted from anger when she saw the pills. “That brat… Seriously?
No wonder. Given Nathaniel’s physique, it seemed improbable for there to be no sign of good news after they had been together for so long. As it turned out, Christina had been avoiding pregnancy deliberately.
This girl is always thinking about her career and making money. She doesn’t even care about her family…
Christina was lucky to have Nathaniel, who would dote on her and accommodate all her needs.
Sharon was staring at the bottle of pills when she suddenly had an idea. “Bring me the vitamins in my room, Catalina.”
Catalina was confused because it wasn’t time for Sharon to take her supplements yet.
Nevertheless, she went upstairs and brought down all the vitamins and supplements on the table. Previously, the doctor prescribed Sharon a bottle of folic acid because she had hyperchlorhydria.
Coincidentally, the folic acid pills had the same color and shape as the contraceptive pills.
Sharon poured out the contraceptive pills and replaced them with the folic acid pills before closing the lid. It was impossible to notice that the pills had been swapped.
Women who had given birth were well aware that folic acid was not only beneficial for the development of fetuses in the womb but also useful for pre–pregnancy preparation.
Sharon took the bottle of swapped pills and put it back in Christina’s bedroom.
Don’t be mad at me, Christina. I’m doing this for your own good.
Meanwhile, it was a hectic day for Christina.
After spending a considerable sum of money at the furniture store, she finally got all the office supplies.
she needed.
Since that was settled, Christina needed to look for some employees next.
She had to recruit an assistant because she could not possibly deal with everything on her own.
She posted a recruitment notice for a designer and an assistant online. Shortly after announcing the start. of her own studio on Instagram, her first customer arrived at the door.
How is Gwyneth my first customer when she’s not even following me on Instagram?
Gwyneth was going for a black casual look that day. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, and she was wearing a mask to shield her face.
The first thing Gwyneth did upon entering the studio was observe the interior of the studio. Well, well. She’s not too bad after all.
“I want a custom–made gown by the fifth of next month,” Gwyneth said as she flicked out her gold card.
There was no reason for Christina to reject a customer who walked in moments after she opened her studio.
She was just surprised. Why would Gwyneth come all the way to support her business when she didn’t like her all along?
“What is your budget? The minimum price of a gown is three million.”
Back when Christina was working at Hannah’s studio as Ada, each of her gowns cost at least five million. The pricing that she gave now was commensurate with her professionalism, at least.
Gwyneth propped her chin up and thought for a while. “Show me the design draft first. I’ll decide after looking at it. I want the most stunning gown you can make. It’s for my ex–boyfriend’s engagement party.”
Gwyneth smirked. She was obviously going to seek revenge at the party.
As a designer, Christina’s responsibility was to create gowns for customers. She couldn’t care less if the order was a result of a personal grudge.
Plus, it would be beneficial for her if her first order was completed successfully.
Christina took out her tablet. She had the habit of jotting down her customers‘ information, especially their heights, weights, and body measurements, to ensure that her designs fit them perfectly.
“Please fill in your contact information. I’ll show you the draft once I’m done designing your gown.”
After leaving her personal phone number, Gwyneth said, “I approve of you because your previous designs
Chapter 233
Christina arched a brow at Gwyneth and challenged, “You’re welcome to find another designer if you don’t
trust me.”
Christina would never jeopardize her reputation by putting out a subpar design.
“Well, I’m not in a rush, and I’m sure you’ll work on the design until I’m satisfied, yes?” came Gwyneth’s
response.
She had witnessed Christina’s talent in the past, or she would not have approached the latter.
Plus, I can’t find a better designer now…
Christina replied, “Then don’t fret about it. I feel obligated to remind you, though, that the design is going to take some time.”
The process of designing a dress did not merely stop at the sketching stage. After rounds of editing and the client’s stamp of approval, there was still the final step of sewing the dress from scratch.
Back when she still worked for Radiant Corporation, Christina had always felt as though she was sacrificing quality for quantity.
Things were different now. She could nitpick at every aspect of the design until she was satisfied instead of leaving it to another department or colleague.
“I’m not in a rush.” Gwyneth surveyed the empty studio and added, “And since your studio just opened, I suppose I’m your only customer at the moment.”
Christina shot her a sheepish smile. In fact, there was still a pile of work to get through before her studio’s operations were in full swing.
Before she could utter a reply, Gwyneth smirked amusedly and offered, “If you need some extra publicity, I’m happy to shoot a couple of promotional photos for you. I’ll give you a discount.”
Delight flitted through Christina’s gaze. No wonder she’s such a popular celebrity.
Gwyneth’s shrewdness was impressive. Christina surmised that Gwyneth must have recognized her talents because of Coco’s dress and wanted to build a close working relationship with her.
Christina propped her jaw on one arm and muttered thoughtfully, “As you know, my studio just opened. There’s still a pile of expenses to get through… Coco actually offered to let me take her photos for free.”
“Coco can hardly be considered in the same tier as me, can she?”
The retort masked Gwyneth’s panic and frustration at the mere possibility of someone else swiping her accolades and popularity in the film industry.
Still, she had her pride and would not admit defeat so easily.
That’s the whole reason I’m here buttering Christina up!
“You’re absolutely right. You’re more experienced since you’ve been in the industry longer than her,” answered Christina truthfully.
The flattery worked. Gwyneth was in excellent spirits as she left the studio. She even promised, “Fine. I’ll
do my publicity shots for free if you want me on the job.”
Her expression implied that Christina had snagged herself a great deal.
Christina hurriedly saved all the information. She was grateful to Gwyneth for the celebrity’s support on
her first order.
Then, she registered her company’s official website and Twitter account.
She spent the morning glued to her computer and got the social media channels set up. It was now time to
create some content.
Words alone would struggle to capture public attention without any photos.
Christina could not use any of her past designs from when she worked at Radiant Corporation. While photos of Coco’s dress were a viable option, the material was depressingly scarce.
She decided to put out some original designs as showpieces for her new studio.
Inspiration struck her soon enough, and she began sketching furiously at her desk.
A phone call in the evening snapped her out of her work–induced trance.
Christina answered the phone absent–mindedly. A woman’s gentle voice drifted over the receiver. “Hello, is your studio hiring an assistant? I have relevant work experience.”
“Yes. Let me send you the address. Come over for an interview when you’re free.”
As she spoke, Christina looked up and appraised her messy studio. The floorboards were in need of a good scrubbing. I really need an assistant, pronto.
“I can come right now,” replied the caller.
“Great. I’ll wait for you in the office.”
Christina hung up and texted the other party her studio’s address. After putting down her phone, she promptly returned her attention to her draft sketches.
She was exceptionally motivated to work because she was creating the designs for herself.
A series of exquisite evening gown sketches materialized on her desk that night. The colors and cutting of each design were flawless; the gowns were gorgeous enough for a major runway show.
Christina stretched out her sore muscles just as the doorbell rang.
She opened the door to a slim, tall woman in casualwear. The visitor did not appear dressed for an interview.
The woman asked, “Hello, I’m Rayne Maguire. I called earlier about the assistant job. Are you the boss of this studio?”
It felt odd being called a boss by someone for the first time. Christina chose not to dwell on that and replied, “Yes. Do you have a résumé?”
“Here it is.” Rayne handed some documents to Christina.
Christina read through the résumé and realized the applicant had a wealth of experience in assistant jobs.
She asked, “Your salary will be ten thousand after probation. However, you won’t be able to take most. public holidays off. Is that okay for you?”
“Of course. I never got public holidays off at my old jobs,” replied Rayne.
There were no red flags that Christina could see, and a permanent hire still hinged on Rayne’s work performance. She declared, “Great. You can start work tomorrow.”
“All right. Thank you, Boss.”
Rayne left shortly after confirming several details about the job.
All in all, Christina thought her entrepreneurial career had been off to a good start.
Still, she never expected to receive as many visitors as she did that day.
A strong, floral fragrance filled the studio then. Christina looked up and saw a tall figure entering through the doorway.
Francis strode into the studio, dressed in a black suit and looking as bewitching as ever. With his dark gaze, a cross–shaped earring on his right earlobe, and a bouquet of blood–red roses in his hand, he looked like a vampire prince straight out of a medieval castle,
“Congratulations on founding your own studio!”
Christina received his flowers and replied lackadaisically, “Thank you.”
-She knew he followed her Instagram profile and definitely saw the new updates on her feed. As such, she
was simply surprised that he had shown up personally at her studio.
She paid some attention to developments in the entertainment industry and knew Francis had signed on to many projects. He should be drowning in work now.
Francis brushed her nose with his finger and laughed. “What’s wrong? You seem rather unhappy to see
me?”
Panic flitted through Christina’s eyes, and she averted her gaze like a frightened kitten.
She sputtered, “Of course not. How did you find the time to visit?”
Christina busied herself looking for a vase and rearranged the roses inside. The flowers were in full bloom and looked absolutely splendid.
“I missed you, so I came.”
Francis approached her and picked up the vase. After placing the vase in an eye–catching spot in the studio, he crossed his arms across his chest and admired his gift.
Good. This spot is excellent. She’ll see my roses every time she looks up, and then she’ll think of me.
Meanwhile, Christina was reminded of the spy–catching incident in the private room as she stared at Francis. Her well–buried doubts from before resurfaced.
She jumped on the opportunity to ask, “You’ve got plenty of other people to miss, so you won’t necessarily
miss me. What about Madison?”
Though Francis wasn’t around when the incident happened that night, he heard what had happened from
others.
Is Christina suspecting me?
Francis turned around and narrowed his eyes. His gaze was affixed to Christina’s innocent expression as he explained, “I don’t want to drag you into this mess. I already warned her after what happened that night.”
said I would handle it and told Madison not to stick her nose into this.
Conflicting emotions warred in Christina’s heart. She did not wish to get into a fight with Francis, nor did she wish to endanger Nathaniel.
Eventually, she said accusatorily, “I knew you were in the same boat! Madison’s a bad person, and so are you!”
I’m no fool. Does he think I’m blind to Madison’s character?
Chapter 234
“I’m not like her. I’m just taking back what’s mine. Francis muttered as his eyes darkened, seemingly talking to himself. Then, he looked up and said. “That’s something between the both of us You don’t have to bother about it.”
How do you expect me not to bother! That’s my husband. You guys are plotting to harm someone important to me Christina’s gaze was steely Hore can poubly then a blind eye? However, all I can do is be on my guard until I have some concrete evidence
Upon hearing her reply, Francis felt as though he had been stabbed in the chest with a dagger, and he found it hard to breathe for a moment.
I don’t know when it started, but Christina’s delicate face would constantly appear in my mind. Alas, the only has eyes for Nathaniel. He and I are both part of the Hadley family, yet why is he the only one who deserves to have the Hadley
surname?
At that moment, the sound of footsteps could be heard coming from the corridor.
Francis’ heart sank a little. Then, an evil thought sprouted in his mind. He slowly walked forward until he was standing right in front of Christina. Holding her gently by her chin, he whispered, “Christina, if there comes a day when you realize he’s not as good as you thought, remember that I welcome you into my arms at any time.”
She slapped his hand away. What nonsense is he spouting now?
“You should hurry up and go back. If I find you two plotting against Nathaniel, I won’t hesitate to expose you.” Christina was very clear about where she stood now. She was on Nathaniel’s side and still at
odds with them.
The footsteps grew nearer. Then, a sharp voice barked, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“What you see is exactly what’s going on. What’s there to ask?” Francis had no intention of moving aside. He stood uncomfortably close to Christina, his breath lingering in the small space between them.
From behind, they appeared to be standing very close. It was the sort of proximity that would only occur between lovers.
Nathaniel’s gaze clouded over immediately and turned stormy. Rushing forward, he grabbed Francis by the collar and jerked him backward.
In the blink of an eye, the two men of similar height were grappling with each other.
“Didn’t I warn you to stay away from what’s mine? Why do you insist on looking for trouble?” Without wasting his breath to say anything more, Nathaniel swung a punch toward Francis.
There was a loud thud, and the sound of his fist hitting its target reverberated throughout the spacious.
office.
Francis immediately started bleeding at the corner of his mouth. However, he showed no sign of backing down and retaliated with a punch. “What do you mean yours? She’s just yours for the time being. Who’s to say she won’t be mine in the future?”
“You asked for it!”
Just like that, a brawl broke out between the two men. Nathaniel had practiced boxing before, so his blows
Take Back What Is Mine
were hard and powerful. It was clear at a glance that Francis was no match for him
Shocked to see them trading punches, Christina quickly shouted for them to stop “Stop fighting Why can’t you talk things out in a civilized manner
Her words fell on deaf ears Instead, the fight grew even more intense Neither one was willing to let go of the other, and they were seemingly determined to fight to the death.
Meanwhile, Sebastian broke into a cold sweat as he watched the scene. He wanted to break up the suffle but did not dare to be meter seen Mr. Badley fight in fiercely. It’s as though he’s not planning to stop until he opponent is down for the count. Now that I think about hose much strength he user when I practice with him at the baring gym, I realize he has been going eaty on me. Otherwise, I’d have gotten beaten to a pulp by none………….
A shiver ran down his spine as that thought came to his mind.
“Stop fighting! Someone’s going to get hurt if you keep this up!”
Suddenly, there was a streak of crimson, and the scent of blood filled the air. It was unclear whose blood it
was
Christina rushed to wrap her arms around Nathaniel, using her back to shield him.
Although Francis wanted to strike back, he was worried he would hurt her and lowered his fist. There were bloody bruises on the corners of his lips and eyes. He had also been punched twice in the chest, which caused him to break into a coughing fit and spit out a mouthful of blood.
“Sebastian, quick! Take him to the hospital!” Christina exclaimed, startled when she saw that. As an A- list actor, how could he let himself get into such a fight? Can he still film looking like that? Nathaniel
really didn’t hold
back at all!
“You’re not allowed to take him. Why should my assistant take him to the hospital? He’s not worthy!” Nathaniel uttered with a snort. He also had a bruise at the corner of one eye, and the bloodshot eye looked terrifying.
“If you’re not going to let Sebastian send him to the hospital. I’ll do it,” she said in exasperation. No matter how you look at it, Francis injuries are much more severe. How could they go at each other just because of a minor disagreement? They’re full-grown adults, yet they still act like elementary school children!
“Get him out of my sight at once. Hurry up,” Nathaniel instructed Sebastian while holding Christina’s wrist. tightly as though worried she would leave. There’s no way I’d let her take Francis to the hospital. That guy is as sly as a fox.
Helping Francis walk, Sebastian quickly brought him away from the scene. He was worried that if he delayed for even a second, the two men would start exchanging blows again because of another argument. Although it was not his first time seeing the two of them fight, it was the most ferocious brawl he had ever witnessed.
Francis wiped away the blood on the corner of his mouth before saying coldly. “I’m telling you, Christina. A violent man like him is not the right person for you.”
As he spoke, a look of determination flashed in his eyes like never before.
She quickly waved her hand at Sebastian, motioning for him to take Francis away immediately. Does he think his injuries are not severe enough? If they get into another fight, we won’t need to send him to the hospital anymore. We can just call for an ambulance.
Take Back What Is Mine
After they left, tranquility was restored in the studio.
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Christina took out some antiseptic solution and bandages from her handbag, then used cotton swabs to treat Nathaniel’s wounds. His injuries were not as severe as Francis, but one of his eyes was red. “Bear with it. This might sting a little.”
She blew gently on his wound, then put on a bandage for him.
“There, all done. However, everyone will see it when you go to your meeting tomorrow,” she huffed. Ife’s not a kid anymore. Why does he still use violence to resolve problems?
Nathaniel stretched out his arms and drew her into his embrace. The dark look in his eyes grew more intense as he said, “He’s not as harmless as you think. Don’t get into contact with him anymore.”
“All right. He was the one who came looking for me, but I’ll be more careful in the future,” she responded, comforting him as though she was appeasing a child.
Suddenly, she felt him grab her wrist. “You really didn’t meet with him behind my back?”
His icy tone sounded as though he was interrogating her.
She shook her head, then answered calmly, “I told you I didn’t. Don’t you believe me?”
“believe you, but remember never to lie to me.” He hugged her close without letting go, his words sounding like a warning and a restriction.
“You’re worrying too much. Why would I lie to you?” Christina pressed a palm to her forehead, furrowing her brows slightly. In her opinion, one should express loyalty through actions and self-control
and not merely pay lip service..
Not getting the reassurance he wanted, he felt what seemed like a surge of anger bubble inside him, and the redness in his eye became even more pronounced. He lifted a hand and grasped her chin forcefully, deliberately causing her pain.
She grimaced and grumbled, “Let go. It hurts.”
Nathaniel’s cold gaze darkened as the thought of Francis standing so close to her when he opened the door flashed across his mind. It was as though they were kissing….
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Chapter 235
A surge of anger welled up in his heart, and he lowered his head slightly to bite her lip.
Christina’s fragrance was untainted by the scent of any strange man. At that, Nathaniel finally felt somewhat relieved. However, his possessiveness became uncontrollable
He didn’t give Christina any chance to resist, and he didn’t even care that he had hurt her.
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She let out a whimpering protest, her small fists pounding against his muscular chest, but her strength was too weak to push Nathaniel away.
“Let go of me…”
The metallic scent of blood filled her nostrils. Christina could only surrender as if she was prey being captured by a fierce beast.
After some time, Nathaniel finally released her.
Under the light, tears filled Christina’s eyes.
Did I hurt her, or is she sad? At that moment, Nathaniel felt his heart ache. “Does my kiss make you so upset?”
“You hurt me, and you still think you’re right?” Christina puffed her cheeks. How dare he act so righteous when he is wrong in the first place?
“It’s your punishment for not listening to me.”
“I’m not an object for you to compete for and show off. I have the freedom to make friends!”
Am I not allowed to interact with others in the future? Am I only allowed to interact with women? I’m a designer and will meet various people in the future. Is Nathaniel going to control all of it?
“Do I have to submit an application to you for every person I meet and every project I take? Can I only interact with them if you agree, and I should refuse if you don’t?”
What kind of person does he think I am?
Nathaniel was at a loss for words.
He was only concerned and worried about her.
“Get out! I don’t want to see you!”
Christina turned her back to him, not wanting to look at him.
There was a moment of silence as if they were the only people left in the world.
After quite some time, the sound of receding footsteps rang out, and the office fell quiet.
The following week, everything returned to normal.
Sharon’s condition improved, and her mood stabilized considerably, but she often cried out in her dreams, “Christina, forgive me! I didn’t mean to hide it from you…”
Christina thought Sharon was talking in her sleep. Hence, she didn’t pay much attention to Sharon’s words.
After all, Sharon seemed stable during the day.
A phone call came in while Christina was organizing documents in the office.
Sierra’s tone was reproachful as she said, “How long has it been since you returned to Scenic Garden Manor? Is this still your home? Not only are you not coming back, but you’re also encouraging Nathaniel to live with you in that shabby little hease! Are you even his wife? You better come back to Scenic Garden Manor right now!”
Christina was stunned. She had been comfortable living in Sharbrook Manor, and upon counting the days, she realized she had indeed not returned in a long time.
Sierra would go to Scenic Garden Manor every few days. Hence, she knew Christina and Nathaniel were staying at Sharbrook Manor temporarily.
She continued, “I have guests to entertain this afternoon. You better come home right now and clean up the house.”
With that, she angrily hung up the phone.
Christina could only sigh softly after hearing Sierra’s words.
She handed over her work to Rayne and left.
Upon returning to Scenic Garden Manor, the once tidy house looked messy, as if no one had cleaned it while she was away.
Sierra stood with her hands on her hips and commanded, “Look at how you manage this house. Things are all over the place! You have two hours to clean everything up. I have guests to entertain later.”
Christina was furious. I’m not a housekeeper. Why should I clean up?
“Sorry, Mrs. Hadley. Ms. Sierra didn’t allow us to clean up…”
The housekeepers and butler felt uneasy. It was their responsibility to do all those tasks, yet now Christina had to clean everything herself, which made them feel guilty.
Christina felt that it was pointless to argue with Sierra. Since she only needed to clean up the house, she would pretend to do so for a while and then leave.
“All right.”
Sierra was satisfied to see her so obedient. “Hurry up. None of you are allowed to help her.”
With that, Sierra walked away.
Christina picked up a cloth and started cleaning while the housekeepers secretly helped her when Sierra wasn’t looking.
Moments later, the sound of a car was heard outside.
Sierra’s laughter could be heard from the living room.
Chapter 235 The Punishment Of Possessiveness
“Ms. Hadley, these seafood delicacies are gifts from my nom” A sweet, accented female voice sounded.
Sierra led a woman of similar age to Christina into the living room.
That woman was Alana Hernandez, the daughter of a famous scholarly family in the city.
Sierra had observed Christina carefully and deliberately found a woman with a similar appearance and age to introduce to Nathaniel
After all, differences would only be neticeable when there were comparisons.
Nathaniel likes his women young, right? There are countless young ladies in the city around Christina’s age. There will definitely be one that could surpass her.
“Christina, go and pour me a cup of tea.”
As soon as they entered, Sierra started giving orders without hesitation, putting her status as Christina’s elder to full use.
While holding a cleaning cloth, Christina glanced at both of them. In an instant, she could guess Sierra’s
intentions.
She scoffed in her heart. Will Aunt Sierra ever stop?
Heading to the kitchen, she soon brought out a pot of tea and placed it in front of the two.
Seeing the dark expression on Christina’s face, Sierra couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.
Infuriating Christina made her happy!
Alana looked around the surroundings, observing the unique decorations and numerous valuable paintings.
She had heard that Nathaniel was very handsome. It would be great if they hit it off.
Alana picked up the teacup, but right as she was about to take a sip, she put it down with a disgusted. expression. “Ms. Hadley, your housekeeper doesn’t seem to pay attention to hygiene, does she? The cup smells like a cleaning cloth.”
Housekeeper?
Christina’s eyes widened instantly. Which part of me looks like a housekeeper?
Sierra smirked as she said mockingly, “Don’t mind her. She’s just an uneducated housekeeper, nothing like you, Alana. You are educated and well-mannered, a true lady from a good family!”
Alana smiled shyly, flattered.
That was what she thought too.
Seeing Christina’s expression becoming even grimmer, Sierra continued to add fuel to the fire. “The more I look at you, the more I think you’re a perfect match for Nathaniel!”
“Ms. Hadley, don’t tease me. Mr. Hadley has high standards. He might not like me.” Alana blushed shyly.
How could Mr. Hadley not like me when I’m so perfect?
After all, I come from a scholarly family, and my grandparents are both professors. Which other girl in the city can compare to me?
Christina didn’t hesitate to roll her eyes at the two.
“You’re right. Nathaniel indeed wouldn’t like you. Just one look at you, and it’s obvious how scheming you. are! What a pretentious woman!”
Alana’s smile froze, and she glared at Christina angrily. “You…!”
The harsh words she wanted to spit out stopped at the tip of her tongue.
She realized she couldn’t lose her composure in front of Sierra.
Chapter 236
Sierra shot her an icy look. “What was that all about? It was incredibly rude of you to say such a thing. You’ve brought humiliation upon the Hadley family!”
How did I humiliate the Hadley family? I’m married to a Hadley, and you’re asking me to act like a servant. You’re the
ne humiliating the family!
Christina refused to pay them any heed. They can get anyone to wait upon them, but that won’t be me!
As she turned abruptly to head upstairs, the distinct sound of a car engirie shutting off reached her ears from outside.
Nathaniel entered the house with a purposeful stride, his tall figure exuding a commanding presence. Though there was no spotlight illuminating him, he naturally emitted an irresistible charm while his expression remained cold and distant.
His gaze narrowed when he noticed Christina was dressed in a maid uniform.
Her cheeks were flushed with a rosy hue, and her large eyes, complemented by her porcelain skin, gave her the appearance of a delicate doll.
It was the first time he had seen her dressed in such an outfit, and he could feel something stirring in his nether regions.
Sierra’s grin widened as Nathaniel approached. “You’re back, Nathaniel. Come, have a seat. Allow me to introduce you to a friend.”
Nathaniel’s just like any other man, so Alana’s pretty face will definitely captivate him.
Alana inched closer to Sierra shyly as her heart began to race wildly.
Oh, the legendary Mr. Hadley is indeed handsome! In fact, he’s hotter than I expected. With his handsome looks and wealthy background, he’s the perfect match for me!
Nathaniel grunted in acknowledgment and came into the living room. Instead of sparing Alana a look, he went to Christina and sat down beside her.
Glancing at Christina’s furious expression, he flashed a charming smile and said, “I could use a glass of
water.”
They had parted on a sour note after a heated argument previously. Upon calming down, he realized that there was no need for them to fight over Francis.
She should be content now that I’ve taken the first step to initiate a conversation with her.
To his surprise, Christina folded her arms and ignored his request. “If you want some water, get it yourself!”
He’s perfectly healthy but wants me to wait upon him? Dream on!
Nathaniel knew she was still upset, and his expression tensed up. Arching a brow, he gazed at her so intently as though he was about to pull her into his embrace, forcing her to stop being mad at him.
Alana couldn’t help but grow curious. Why is this maid so rude? I can’t believe she’s bold enough to talk back to Mr. Hadley!
“Ms. Hadley, I think this maid is terribly rude. Why don’t you fire her?” Alana suggested. If she stays, she’ll continue being an eyesore to me.
Christina’s temper finally flared after she was provoked time and again. “No one dares to fire me in this household!”
If I were to leave, a certain someone might set up several layers of walls made out of iron outside the mansion to prevent me from escaping!
Never in Alana’s life had she met such a rude maid. Glaring at Christina, she declared, “You’re just a lowly maid, trash at the very bottom of the social order! How dare you yell at me?”
If she had been working for the Hernandez family, I would’ve kicked her out ages ago!
Christina let out an icy snort. She’s showing her true colors this soon, huh?
Her eyes narrowed with a sharp gaze as she fired back. “So maids are nothing but trash to you, huh? Ms. Hernandez, how dare you claim to be born into a scholarly family? Have you never learned the basic principles of respect? Is this the exemplary behavior the Hernandez family instills in you?”
“Hey!” Alana was too young and inexperienced to match Christina’s wit. Her face twisted in anger, and she stood up abruptly, her fierce expression in contrast to her cute dress.
How dare the maid mock me for being rude? I want to tear her mouth off!
Christina had no interest in engaging in further conversation with them. Her purpose for visiting the house was to gather her usual tools. As it was getting late, she left them both in an uncomfortable silence and made her way up the stairs.
Nathaniel was amused at how fiery Christina’s attitude was.
He got to his feet and followed her up the stairs.
Sierra forced out a nervous chuckle. Christina knew Alana’s my guest but didn’t bother being nice to her. Clearly she wants to embarrass me.
She gently patted Alana’s hand, offering comfort. “Alana, don’t let her words upset you. You’re refined and cultured, so don’t take her remarks to heart. Let me go to the kitchen and have them prepare some desserts for you, okay?”
Sierra rose to her feet and made her way to the kitchen, feeling disappointed that Nathaniel didn’t show much interest in Alana and that Christina seemed unaffected by Alana’s presence.
Why is Christina so difficult to deal with?
Alana could sense the change in Sierra’s attitude, but she wasn’t a pushover either.
She fished out a tiny bottle from her bag, inside of which contained some yellow powder. Those who smelled it would lose their minds.
A friend had given it to her when they went out for some fun previously.
That maid went upstairs, right? I need to teach her a lesson before I leave.
Alana tiptoed upstairs. The bedroom door was ajar, and she could see Christina packing up her stuff through the gap in the door.
She pushed the door open and strode in, gripping the bottle tightly. Her gaze fell on Christina’s nose. It will only take a second…
Hearing the footsteps, Christina turned over her shoulder to see Alana inching nearer with a malicious expression on her face.
This is the master bedroom, so you can’t come in.” She made it clear that Alána wasn’t welcome.
Alana wasn’t even paying any attention to her. She held up the bottle and hurled the contents at Christina’s
nose.
A sweet and spicy scent filled the air, and Alana’s lips curled into a smirk. She was told that the drug’s effects couldn’t be neutralized easily..
Anyone who sniffed the drug would lose their mind temporarily, singing and dancing like a madnian. They would even pounce on any available man.
Ha! You’ll be utterly humiliated. Let’s see if you dare to mock me again.
Christina stood rooted to her spot as she locked gazes with Alana icily.
Why isn’t she talking or moving? Is something off with the drug?
“Hey, are you okay?” The moment Alana spoke, she realized the scent in the air was wafting toward her, She took one step forward to investigate, but as soon as her foot landed, her mind became muddled. Christina’s gaze turned icy as she swiftly turned around to open the windows and let the fresh air flow in, dispersing the lingering scent.
“How could you be okay?” Alana was shocked to discover that Christina was fine even after sniffing the drug. After all, the drug’s effects would kick in with just one whiff
Christina let out an icy snort. “Trying to drug me, huh? You should improve your skills!”
As she used to work at a club, she had encountered all sorts of people and drugs.
Christina was quick to realize Alana’s scheme upon noticing the menacing look in the latter’s gaze. When Alana hurled the contents of the bottle at her, she promptly held her breath to avoid being affected by the drug.
She only started talking after opening the windows wide.
“B*tch, how dare you trick me?” Alana demanded angrily.
Before she could express her anger, she suddenly felt as though her body was being lifted into the air, causing her to burst into uncontrollable laughter like a drunk stripper in a club.
Hearing the commotion, Nathaniel walked out of his study to see Alana dancing and twirling around like a madwoman along the corridor
Chapter 237
Seeing that, Nathaniel ordered the bodyguard to drag her away.
Meanwhile, Sierra had come upstairs as she couldn’t find Alana anywhere downstairs. To her utter disbelief, she saw Alana clinging to the bodyguard and dancing in a sl’tty manner.
It was an appalling sight as she seemed like a stripper on the dancefloor.
Sierra’s face turned as dark as thunder. “What is wrong with her?”
With all her belongings packed up, Christina emerged from her room, casting a calm glance at Alana. “She sought to harm me, but now she’s experiencing the consequences of her own actions. Karma has caught up with her.”
Sierra’s eyes turned as wide as saucers as she had no idea Alana would be this despicable.
I was only trying to get on Christina’s nerves. If she were to truly get hurt, Nathaniel would be furious with me. Nathaniel’s face contorted into a scowl, his silence speaking volumes about his anger.
Grabbing Christina’s arm, he urged, “Let’s go home.”
Go home? Sharbrook Manor is my house. Since when did it become our home?
Christina bit back her annoyance and followed Nathaniel down the stairs, leaving Sierra to deal with the culprit who caused the commotion.
Dead silence ensued in the car.
Nathaniel cast a quick glance at the packed carrier bag Christina had with her. Looks like she’s determined not to come back, huh?
He shot the passenger seat a frosty look and ordered. “Sebastian, make sure to go to Scenic Garden Manor later and bring my suits and essential belongings to Sharbrook Manor.”
Sebastian’s lips twitched. Is he moving out? “Yes, Mr. Hadley.”
Christina couldn’t contain her frustration any longer. She turned around and met Nathaniel’s icy gaze with her own. “Sharbrook Manor is too small to accommodate your countless suits. Why are you acting so childish?”
“If you don’t want to stay with me, can’t I move there to stay with you?”
Nathaniel’s gaze was captivating, drawing her in like a powerful whirlpool and pulling her deeper into his
eyes.
The atmosphere became awkward once again.
Christina felt a rising resentment in her chest. Who is being unreasonable and demanding here?
Suddenly, the car veered sharply, causing the sound of the tires screeching against the asphalt to fill the
air.
Christina crashed into Nathaniel’s chest, feeling his warm breath on her face as her heart raced within her ribcage.
At the same time, Nathaniel’s instinctive reaction was to reach out and secure her waist in a protective grip. His brows furrowed with concern as he inquired. “Are you hurt?”
His voice carried a gentle tone, and Christina felt a comforting warmth envelop her heart.
She blushed prettily. “I’m fine.”
The anger that had consumed Nathaniel throughout the night dissipated upon hearing her coy voice.
Despite his hardened exterior, he was ready to shed his armor to embrace Christina in a warm and comforting hug.
He gently stroked her hair with his large hand and spoke in an affectionate tone. “All right. Stop being mad at me, hmm?”
Christina was no longer mad at him. She took his hand and told him. “I’m not mad anymore. You don’t have to move your clothes over. My carrier bag is full of cloth and tools.”
As it turned out, she had only gone back to retrieve her sewing tools, plus two jackets that she planned on leaving at the studio. The weather was getting colder, so she wanted them on hand in case she needed them.
She never had any intention of moving out.
As the tension in the air dissipated, the driver and Sebastian exchanged a knowing glance.
I’m glad Mr. and Mrs. Hadley made up. Otherwise, it feels agonizing to be in the same space as them.
Christina returned to her studio.
Rayne had cleaned up the studio and arranged a few files neatly on her table.
Christina was pretty pleased at how efficient her assistant was.
As soon as she powered on her laptop, Christina was greeted with an invitation to participate in a prestigious design competition in Hallsbay. This international event would take place at the heart of the city, and invitations had been extended to the most accomplished designers in the country.
She began reading the details carefully. Winning it would give others more confidence in my abilities. Back in university, I was primarily focused on earning money and missed out on participating in design competitions. Despite my extensive industry experience, I lack the recognition and trophies that often accompany such accolades. This competition will present an opportunity to showcase my talent and prove my worth to others.
After making up her mind, she filled in her details on the webpage and sent in her application.
“Rayne, we have a business trip tomorrow. Can you make it?” Christina asked, a hint of concern in her voice. The trip had come up rather suddenly, so she was unsure if Rayne would be able to accommodate it in her schedule.
“Of course I can. Where are we heading, Ms. Steele? Do you need me to reserve the flight tickets for us?” Rayne sounded calm.
Christina glanced at her watch. “You can book the flight tickets. Just make sure we arrive tomorrow. Send me the flight details after you’ve reserved our tickets.”
With that, Christina headed out again.
She went to a dessert shop to buy a few desserts before heading to Hadley Corporation.
When she arrived, Nathaniel was in the middle of a meeting.
Christina placed the desserts on the coffee table and waited patiently for Nathaniel to finish his meeting. As she waited, she pondered the best way to inform him about her upcoming business trip.
I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone as it will depend on how long it takes to find a suitable place to stay. The filming might also take a while.
Nathaniel didn’t make her wait for long. He returned to his office right after his meeting ended.
Christina bounded over to Nathaniel, her movements resembling that of a nimble rabbit. She flashed a bright smile at him and spoke in a cheerful tone. “Hey Nathaniel, I brought over some afternoon tea for you. Does that make you happy?”
Nathaniel swept his gaze over the desserts on the table and turned to look at Christina, who was obviously waiting eagerly for his compliment. “Do you need my help for something?”
“Of course not. I came here to enjoy afternoon tea with you. Are you moved?”
“Yes, I’m happy and moved,” Nathaniel replied, his face devoid of emotion.
As they settled down into their seats, Christina started babbling about irrelevant stuff.
Her melodious voice was calming and relaxing.
Nathaniel couldn’t care less about what she said as long as he could hear her wonderful voice.
Christina chatted animatedly, her words flowing until her throat felt dry. Sensing that the moment was approaching, she decided to reveal her intention. “You know, Nathaniel, I’ve been seeing some of my friends on Instagram who have been winning numerous design competitions lately. It got me thinking about how I used to be so focused on work. I never really took part in large-scale competitions. I can’t help but feel a twinge of envy toward them.”
She then sneaked a glance at Nathaniel, who seemed unperturbed and unaware of her underlying
message.
Christina rested her head on his arm and swung it gently. “Do you think I have what it takes to win first place in a competition?” she posed a coy question.
Nathaniel finally understood her underlying message and gazed at her calmly. “Where are you going to join the competition?”
Is this why she brought me afternoon tea and acted coyly?
“Hallsbay. It’s not too far from here. You’ll let me go, won’t you?” Christina lifted her head, her innocent eyes sparkling like the night stars.
“Please, Darling? Pretty please?” she pleaded, oozing adorableness.
Chapter 238
Her voice melted Nathaniel’s heart.
“I didn’t hear that clearly. Say it again.”
Christina blinked innocently. I wasn’t whispering. Why didn’t he hear me clearly?
She clung tightly to his arm, drawing herself closer to him. Raising her chin, she delicately brushed her lips against his ear, her warm breath sending shivers down his spine. “Pretty please, Darling?” she whispered.
Nathaniel held her chin and tilted his head to capture her lips in a kiss.
His warm breath subsequently enveloped her, heating up the atmosphere around them.
Sometime later, Christina felt her eyes watering while her throat was parched.
Nathaniel brushed his finger across her check. “Got it. You can take Hadley Corporation’s private helicopter there. Let me know when you arrive safely.”
“Okay.”
The New Horizon Design Competition was being hosted at a luxurious five-star hotel in Hallsbay. Christina and Rayne arrived in style as their helicopter landed on the helipad on the rooftop.
After alighting from the helicopter, Christina went to register her name according to the instructions. The organizer had reserved an entire floor, and Christina was assigned to a room with a sea view. “Hello, Ms. Steele. There will be a gathering tonight at seven to allow all designers to get to know each other. Please attend the event on time,” the receptionist said while handing her an invitation card.
Christina accepted the invitation card and flashed a smile before closing the door.
Rayne proved to be an exceptional assistant as she efficiently unpacked Christina’s luggage upon arrival. Among the bags was one that had been given to her by Nathaniel’s assistant before they boarded the helicopter. It was filled with a collection of luxurious branded clothing.
their
Mr. Hadley must have been worried that Ms. Steele’s wardrobe would not be sufficient for the competition, which is why he arranged for a luggage full of branded clothing and bags for her. Many are limited-edition items that I’ve never even seen before!
“Ms. Steele, it’s clear that Mr. Hadley adores you,” Rayne blurted out, her voice tinged with envy.
Christina walked over and picked out an outfit for tonight. Biting her lip, she praised. “He’s a thoughtful person, isn’t he?”
She knew that designers loved comparing themselves with others.
Even though she didn’t have this habit, that didn’t mean others wouldn’t do that.
At seven that night, Christina changed into the new outfit she picked earlier. It was her first meeting with the other designers, so she put on some makeup to show her respect for the event.
As Christina entered the event hall on the second floor, she noticed that there were more than a dozen
designers gathered there Some of them the recognized from their online presence, while others were unfamiliar faces to her
As the door closed behind them, the designers participating in the competition started observing
other’s confirs
Right then the spotlight shone on the stage in the middle of the hall
A woman in a stunning red ballgown made her way into the room. She appeared to be middle-aged, but i was difficult to tell due to her well-maintained appearance. Her makeup was flawless, and her long. straight hair added to her overall elegance Her entrance captured the attention of everyone in the room.
“It’s Ms. Selena””
“Oh, it’s her! I can’t believe she’s the organizer of this competition!”
“I feel privileged to be a participant in this competition. With Ms. Selena as the judge. I have no doubt that It will be fair and impartial.”
Selena had already shot to fame as a designer in the eighties
Her illustrious background was the talk of the town. Rumored to have been raised in a wealthy family, she showcased her innate talent in design from a young age.
With numerous competition victories under her belt, she ventured overseas to expand her business. crafting stunning outfits for renowned female leads in classic movies. Her remarkable achievements and multiple accolades solidified her status as a legend in the design industry.
Everyone else underneath the stage started screaming excitedly at her presence.
Christina’s
‘s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the legendary figure onstage
She felt honored to be able to participate in this competition.
Selena waved her hand, and the crowd immediately quietened down.
“Hello, everyone. I want to express my gratitude for your accepting the invitation to be part of this momentous design competition. I have taken the time to thoroughly research each one of you before extending this invitation, and your presence here today is a testament to your remarkable design
The room was filled with excitement and joy as the participants realized that Selena had personally selected each and every one of them instead of extending random invitations.
They felt fortunate that they hadn’t turned down the chance to be here.
“I expect nothing but your very best in every round. Remember that we’ll be eliminating five participants each time, so the competition will be intense: Give it your all!”
Selena might be smiling, but her gaze was determined.
“The first round starts now. You have three hours to design or redesign the gown you’re currently wearing and create a new outfit. I will carefully assess your designs, and at the end of this round, I will select the best designer while eliminating five participants who didn’t meet my expectations. Good luck to all of you!” Selena announced, setting the stage for the intense competition ahead.
The competition starts now? And we have to create a new outfit using our gown? This is going to be extremely
challenging!
Some designers quickly regained their composure and got to work.
Chaos ensued in the hall as participants frantically started cutting apart their gowns, changing their designs and styles.
They were racing against time, but Christina was doing the exact opposite.
Christina stood before the mirror, carefully examining her form-fitting white gown that elegantly showcased her figure. She took note of its classic design and began contemplating how she could transform it into something extraordinary.
Soon, an idea occurred to her.
+25 BonusWith a sense of urgency, Christina scanned the hall for materials that could enhance her gown. Spotting at luxurious curtain nearby, she hurried over to it. She swiftly retrieved a pair of scissors and cut off a section of the fabric before sewing on it.
After that, she also picked out some eye-catching accessories to complement her new design.
As the bell rang, three hours of frenzied designing came to an end.
Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to Selena, who appeared once again. The latter solemnly instructed the designers to line up and present their designs for evaluation.
“I noticed that you were wearing a long yellow gown when you came in. However, your design simply involved cutting away the hemline without any other changes. I don’t find anything unique or special about your design,” Selena critiqued.
The designer stood there, stunned by Selena’s evaluation.
She thought her gown’s design was sufficient and that any changes she made wouldn’t enhance its beauty, Consequently, she had simply cut off the hemline without making further modifications. She never expected Selena to see through her lack of effort so quickly.
Back when the participants entered the hall, Selena had scanned their original gowns, committing their designs to memory. Now, as she surveyed the transformed gowns before her, she could easily discern
the changes each designer had made.
Everyone was in awe of how attentive and capable Selena was.
She continued commenting on the other gowns. Some designs she was extremely satisfied with, but others disappointed her.
A designer’s skill set should include the ability to redesign. Often, the design had to complement the wearer, which meant that designers had to know how to design and edit their creations accordingly.
In the end, Selena came to a stop before Christina. Her eyes lit up as she said, “Your design…”
All eyes were on Christina. Some cast mocking glances her way while others looked at her with admiration.
Chapter 239
The young woman’s dress had undergone a style transformation. The lower part of the dress took on a mermaid-tail shape, made from folded wine-red curtain cloth, while the upper part was revamped into a strapless design with added embellishments.
Her elegance had been changed into seductive charm.
Selena was delighted. “I love your design. The victor of the night shall be Christina Steele!”
Of course, if there were winners, there would be losers. Five designers had been asked to quit the competition teams.
All designers present were stylistic individuals. Some felt that Christina’s design was great, but others felt that it was just average. Still, no one was going to refute Selena’s choice.
One would think that it was a simple gathering, but as it turned out, it was a trap.
Selena asked the designers to introduce themselves.
“Hello, everyone, I’m Margaret Lester, a designer.”
“My name is Nancy Sallis, and I believe in my capabilities. You’ll have to do your best during the competition because I’m wonderful at my job. You might end up losing to me.” Right as the two introduced themselves, they both turned to look at a specific someone.
Christina noticed that their gazes had landed on her.
Both Margaret and Nancy were the apprentices of a famous designer named Zele. They were also Christina’s schoolmates, but they were on opposite sides.
Christina’s master was Laurel Shaw, a reputable designer.
+
Coincidentally, Laurel and Zele were archenemies, and Christina had witnessed firsthand the animosity Laurel and Zele had for each other.
Therefore, if the two met again, Christina was certain that Laurel and Zele would definitely compete against each other in the shadows.
After the event, Christina returned to her room to rest despite her growling stomach.
The next morning, the phone rang, and its ringtone woke her.
Once she picked up the call, she heard her master cry out, “Christina, I heard you bumped into Zele’s apprentices. Did you?”
“Ms. Shaw, aren’t you supposed to be in Bellridge? How did you know what happened on my side?” Christina queried as she stretched.
Laurel confidently continued, “Of course I’d know. I have my ways! You have to take this opportunity to crush those two and avenge me!”
Christina paid much attention to the news of the fashion industry, and she had found out a long while ago that her competitive master had started another fight overseas.
“I’ll do my best and won’t let you down.”
Laurel had discovered Christina’s talent just as Christina started her course, so Laurel had been patiently guiding her all this while. Christina felt that she was lucky, too. Other than having a competitive streak, Laurel was a great master.
When Laurel needed to head overseas for her activities, she had invited Christina along. Alas, Christina rejected her because she was worried about leaving her mother alone.
“As expected of my apprentice. I’ve sent you some wonderful tools, so I’ll be waiting for your good news!”
There was a gleeful smile on Laurel’s face. How could she not be delighted at the thought of how her apprentice was going to avenge her?
“Of course, Ms. Shaw.”
By the time the call ended, Christina was fully awake. After getting out of bed, Christina led Rayne downstairs for breakfast.
Rayne was meticulous as she took photos of Christina. “Ms. Steele, I’ll take more photos of you to upload on your social media account. I need to update your profile more frequently so that more people will discover you.”
“Okay, I’ll leave these to you.” Christina was too lazy to update her own social media account. Most of the time, she would enter the application just to read the news.
Rayne worked hard. She took a lot of photos of Christina, and she was careful when she wrote the captions for Christina.
Since Christina was pretty and talented, a few of her photos soon caught the netizens’ attention.
Once Rayne was done, she exclaimed, “Look, Ms. Steele! The video of the dress you modified last night. has been uploaded on the platform, and there are almost a million views already! You’re going to be the next big thing soon.”
Before joining the program, Christina had already found out that the program would make clips of the show to upload, but she never thought that the staff members would be this quick.
It seemed like Selena had put much effort into the program.
For both Laurel’s and her own sake, Christina could not be careless for the rest of the competition.
When it was close to the end of breakfast, more people appeared in the dining room.
Upon hearing a few shrieks, the people in the room turned toward the source of the sound. As it turned out, a few
young men who had been trending recently had appeared.
Are they here to join the show?
The designers would no longer be surprised by anything Selena came up with after what happened the night before.
Right then, a handsome man abruptly appeared in front of Christina, though his face was preceded by a rose. “We meet again.”
Half of the man’s face was hidden behind the rose, but Christina still took in the dark color of his eyes, his defined nose, and his seductive lips curled into a smile.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was a demon who came to seduce the people. “Francis, you’ve recovered?” Christina asked as she looked at his flawless face.
He had been severely beaten up by Nathaniel the other time, and she had been sure that he was not going to recover any time soon.
Francis raised his brows as he uttered in his magnetic voice, “Not yet. Why don’t you find out for yourself?”
With that said, he grabbed her hand and placed it on his face.
Rayne’s eyes were bright.
Her heart was pounding, and she could hardly breathe.
The people around her were equally dumbfounded. Isn’t he the best actor? He’s so handsome!
The people had heard that a big shot was going to make an appearance, but they never thought that a man like Francis would actually appear in their line of sight.
Noticing the gazes of the crowd, Christina blushed and smacked Francis’ hand away before shooting him a warning glare. “We’re in public, so stop that.”
Francis wanted to stop too, but when he saw her flushed checks, he could not help but tease, “But I like messing with you, my cutie pie.”
Oh my god. Please don’t flirt with me like this!
Christina could even feel the steam coming out of her ears. She wondered if Francis was genuinely unafraid that Nathaniel would pop up and beat him up again.
Meanwhile, Selena was asking the staff to lead the assistants out, leaving behind the designers and the guests.
“Everyone, do you see the handsome fellows beside you?” Selena asked, beaming confidently.
“Yes!”
The young women were on cloud nine.
The men in the crowd were either fashion models or trending stars, so how could they not be excited?
Their time there was worth it.
Selena then announced, “Now, please utilize your imagination to design a themed attire that fits your partner. Similar to the previous competition, five designers will be eliminated this time. Good luck!”
Chapter 240
That night, the designers saw a clip of the latest episode. With male stars and models joining the show, the view count soared.
The designers in the show also gained more followers, and Christina noticed the followers of her social media account exponentially growing.
If the clip is online, then Nathaniel must have seen it.
A wave of worry washed over Christina as she stared at her phone. She could already imagine the scowl on Nathaniel’s face once he saw the video.
After a moment of contemplation, she decided to be honest with him, so she made a video call to him.
The man picked up fairly quickly.
Christina noticed that he was still in his office, and the sky outside the room was dark. Stars dotted the sky, but nothing was as radiant as Nathaniel himself for Christina.
“Nathaniel, are you still working?”
Nathaniel’s heart skipped a beat when he heard her voice.
“Mhm. How are things on your side?” he asked.
Christina was confused by his calm demeanor, for he was usually upset if she interacted with Francis.
Could it be that he hasn’t seen the video?
With that thought in mind, confidence fled her. “Did you see the competition video? I’ll be partnering with Francis for the next round.”
“I saw. So, what do you want to tell me?” Nathaniel’s gaze darkened almost imperceptibly, but she could sense the murderous aura he exuded even through the screen.
Christina howled miserably in her mind. Why did it feel like he was asking her to write a reflective essay after she made a mistake?
She was at a loss as she stared at his stern face. It felt as if the two were fighting an invisible battle.
Christina’s heart was in her throat. She feared that he would demand her to go home if he became upset.
Hence, she had no choice but to attempt to salvage the situation. Lifting her chin, she buffed and said, “But this isn’t my fault. It’s yours!”
Nathaniel furrowed his brows and gazed at the puffy-cheeked woman on screen questioningly. In an irked tone, he said, “It’s my fault?”
Sebastian, who was right beside Nathaniel’s desk, discreetly wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.
Is Mrs. Hadley trying to make Mr. Hadley mad? Can’t she have called him after I’m done with my report? At this rate, I’m going to suffer the brunt of Mr. Hadley’s wrath! If Mr. Hadley is furious, we, his employees, are going to be
miserable…
Feeling conscious of Nathaniel’s angry glare, Christina sniffled and bit her lower lip. “That’s because you’re
too outstanding, and the show can’t afford to invite someone as prominent as you. That’s why they hired all these random people. I’d say that they’re boring. To stay in the competition, I had to think about you all the time to get my inspiration. You have no idea how much I miss you…”
The roaring tidal waves in Nathaniel’s eyes calmed down and turned into gentle lapping waves as a smile grew on his face.
#
Staring at her, he muttered, “Focus on your competition, then. I’ll come and visit you when I’m done with work.”
Meanwhile, Sebastian was thinking, God, this is the first time I’ve been blinded by PDA in my twenty- and-more years of living. Mrs. Hadley’s great at brainwashing others. Did she just say that the best actor right now is one of the random people? Amazing. Who could stand the bombardment of sweet nothings from her but Mr. Hadley? I have to say that I’m truly impressed. No wonder people say that she’s a sweet girl. No one can hold their ground after her attacks!
Nathaniel felt that Christina had taken his soul with her as he heard her say, “All right. Remember to come. and visit me when you’re free. I love you!”
She then gestured a heart to him while beaming brightly.
“Okay.”
Even though Nathaniel seemed calm, he was screaming internally. He wished he could pull her out of the phone, kiss her, and hold her tightly.
Christina then gave him a flying kiss. “Good night, Darling!”
“Good night.”
Once the call ended, Christina let out a sigh of relief.
She had finally cajoled Nathaniel enough that he was happy, and that felt like the hardest thing she had had to do in her life. It was much more challenging than having to sew her designs, for she was terrified of upsetting him by saying the wrong words.
As she lay on the bed, she mulled, I wasn’t lying about my lack of inspiration, though. Since Selena said that we need to design a new style for them, that means I have to transform Francis’ style instead of sticking to his current one.
Chapter 240 Changing Partners
Designing a themed attire for the partner beside us?
Christina grumbled under her breath, “Can I change my partner?”
Her work efficiency was going to be affected if a man like Francis was going to stare at her.
“How can you say that? People are scrambling over each other to be in a team with me,” Francis protested.
His desire to take revenge was visible in his eyes. “You should appreciate your chance to work with me. After all, the major labels are all competing against each other to convince me to wear their clothes when I walk down the red carpet.”
Francis was over a hundred and eighty centimeters tall with an unbelievably alluring face. He had no excess fat on his waist, and he had the perfect body proportion. In other words, he was flawless, and the suits he wore always sold out.
Unable to find any excuses to reject him, Christina said, “Hah! I just hope you won’t be in the way.”
For case of shooting, Selena had even rented a mansion for the cast to rest in, and she even made sure that each designer had their own room.
Moreover, the studios were stocked with different kinds of equipment and fabrics to ensure that they could reach their maximum potential.
After sending them there, the photographers stayed behind to take photos of their daily lives and working schedule before uploading them on the internet.
Christina’s room was on the third floor. She had no idea whether or not the staff knew about her master’s history with Zele, but Margaret and Nancy turned out to be staying opposite her.
What a small world, Christina scoffed internally.
On the other side, in the conference room, the executives of the program were staring at the results of the viewership, which had exceeded their expectations.
“This is a brilliant program! We have over a hundred million for the first episode. Our station won’t fall from grace!”
“This is all thanks to the CEO inviting Ms. Selena here. Her appearance was what caught the people’s attention.”
The CEO of the station was shaking his leg as he smirked. Pulling the director aside, he uttered, “You need to keep the viewership high by creating highlights. You know what I mean, don’t you?”
“Of course. I’ll give it my all, but Ms. Selena…” the director hesitantly answered.
Back when they invited Selena to the program, they had promised her that things would be fair and square. If Selena were to find out that they had pulled underhanded tricks, things might go south.
Still, a businessman only cared about the viewership and profits that a television program could rake in.
With dark eyes, the CEO uttered, “I didn’t ask you to alter the ranking. Selena can have whatever she wants, but you can do whatever you want behind the scenes too.”