Chapter 18


    Chapter 18 Counter


    Since the Mann Family earned their living in the clothing industry, offending F&M Apparel would only


    bring doom. Although Mann Clothing Co. was one of the leading clothing corporations in Lumore, they


    were only a speck of dustpared to F&M Apparel.


    Breaking drops of sweat on his forehead, Joseph immediately grew remorseful remembering the words


    he had spoken to Nicole previously. Back then, he had indeed listened to Queenie without considering


    the truthfulness of her words and ended up believing that Nicole was pretending to be Lisa. Because of


    that, he had thoroughly displeased the entire F&M Apparel corporation.


    Seeing how Joseph switched sides so quickly, Queenie was infuriated. Nheless, she could only


    hold her anger in. “I’m sorry for my ignorance, Miss Lisa,” she apologized. As Colton needed the


    coboration with Lisa, if she were to destroy his chance at that, she could forget about being the


    young mistress-to-be of Gardner Corporation.


    Looking at Queenie who was so apologetic, Nicole smiled lightly and faintly replied, “Well, I’m not an


    unreasonable person. Just be cautious in the future, will you?”


    Hearing that, Queenie was stunned; she’d thought Nicole would seize the chance to humiliate her


    further. She didn’t expect Nicole to let her off so easily.


    Before she could react, Nicole went on a tangent. “I don’t really mind it personally, but I’m here


    representing the entire design team of F&M Apparel. And by embarrassing me, you embarrass my


    entire design team. There’s no way I’ll let the members of my design team be perceived as weaklings.”


    Nicole ented her words as her straight posture highlighted her slender figure, in addition to her


    heels that made her appear stylishly tall.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Queenie, on the other hand, was startled by her freezing tone and stern face. Her entire body trembled


    as her cheeks reddened. As she was put on the edge, if Nicole were to go on rebuking her, the


    Gardners just might turn on her. By then, the Anderson Family would have no one else to rely on. She


    nced at Colton, who was not far away, only to find him watching idly, having no intention to back her


    up. Thereupon, she could only swallow her pride and y the sibling card. “Um… look, Nicole. We’re


    sisters, aren’t we? At the end of the day, the same blood flows in our bodies. I’ll admit—it’s my fault.


    Could you forgive me, please?”


    Nicole lowered her head to look at Queenie. Her once-boastful sister was now behaving as petty as a


    timid little puppy. She unaffectedly grinned, knowing it was only the beginning. None of you Andersons


    shall be forgiven for Mom’s death!


    “You’re right,” Nicole answered as her eyes turned duller. “Since we’re sisters, I’ll let this pass.” As she


    was speaking, she turned to Joseph. “Mr. Mann, as I said, F&M Apparel will never establish any


    partnership with the Mann Family, and my words still stand. If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”


    As Robert’s only precious son, who had been raised with all the care and attention in the world, Joseph


    felt insulted for being confronted in front of a gargantuan number of guests—including countless


    reputable figures in the country—attending the annual dinner. He felt thoroughly ashamed, being


    ridiculed by the crowd. Nevertheless, the person right before him was Lisa, so he could only withstand


    it and retreat with his rage suppressed.


    Shameful, Queenie, along with Joseph, fled the scene in despair. A hint of malice shed across


    Queenie’s eyes when she turned around to eye her popr sister.


    Then, F&M Apparel’s domestic general manager came to handle the crowd. “Okay. It’s all merely an


    ident. Let’s all enjoy our food and drinks. You may alle to ask Miss Lisa for guidance if you


    have any questions.” There was obviously sweat on his forehead as he was stupefied by the previous


    disturbance. Since it was Lisa’s first trip to the country, if the conflict were to be med on him, his


    career as a general manager would be as good as over.


    With that, the guests, sparing F&M Apparel the pride, gradually dispersed.


    At that moment, Colton walked over with a polite smile. “Greetings, Miss Lisa. I’m Colton Gardner,


    president of Gardner Corporation.”


    At his manly, maic timbre, Nicole turned around and met his deep, dark eyes. Those eyes were as


    deep as an abyss, as if they were pulling her in. Looking at the man before her, she tensed her brows


    and audaciously replied, “You don’t have to be so courteous. We’ve known each other for a long time,


    after all.”