“Who is this?” Clyde gave Brandon a confused look as if he didn’t actually know him.


    Walking up to Brandon, Natalie intimately clung her arm around Brandon’s and introduced him to


    Clyde. “This is my husband, Brandon Larson.”


    Then, with her usual grace, she introduced Clyde to Brandon. “This is Clyde Lambert, the artist who


    photographed Hannah.”


    Brandon looked at Clyde and smiled provocatively. “I know.”


    Natalie gazed up at him in surprise. “You know Mr. Lambert?”


    Brandon nced at Natalie and immediately, his smile turned fond. “I remember all the men who try to


    get close to you.”


    Natalie’s face heated up all of a sudden. She gave Brandon a gentle punch and pouted, “What are you


    talking about?”


    The scene before him was too sweet that Clyde clenched his teeth as jealousy engulfed him.


    What an arrogant man Brandon was! How could the man just show up when Natalie and he were still


    dating!


    He endured his displeasure, reeled it in, and calmly stood up before extending a hand to Brandon. He


    shed a smile. “Hello, Mr. Larson. I’ve heard so much about you.”


    For a few seconds, Brandon simply stared at Clyde coldly. Finally, he shook hands with him and smiled


    indifferently. “Hello, Mr. Lambert.”


    The two of them just held each other’s hands, looking square into each other’s eyes with fake smiles


    stered on their lips.


    It didn’t take Natalie long to sense that something was wrong.


    With a provocative smile, Clyde said, “Mr. Larson, you seem to be worried about me staying with Mrs.


    Larson. I was merely discussing the designs of Hannah’s clothes with her. You can rest assured.”


    In his eyes, Brandon was just a businessman who knew nothing about art and design.


    He thought that Brandon didn’t understand Natalie’s work and that was why Brandon was so hostile to


    him.


    But then, Brandon raised his eyebrows and asked, “Is that so? Are you talking about Hannah’s


    clothes?”


    He withdrew his hand and sat down next to Natalie. An arrogant smile appeared on his lips. “Mr.


    Lambert, what a coincidence. I happen to be the real client of this order. Perhaps you should discuss


    the design of this apparel with me,” he said casually but with a hint of taunting.


    Clyde frowned, feeling surprised. This was unexpected.


    He had not known that. Brandon had kept this information secret. The only thing the public knew was


    that a mysterious rich man had entrusted Natalie to design clothes, but no one knew it was Brandon.


    In this way, Clyde had no reason to send Brandon out.


    Clyde’s anger was obvious on his face now.


    He pursed his lips, holding on to thest bit of patience he had. It was a losing battle. His face


    darkened.


    He had formted an extensive n to get Natalie alone so he would have a chance to win her heart.


    But in the end, Brandon trampled on it like trash on the ground.


    Clyde was more convinced now that Brandon was only a barbarian who knew nothing but business.


    Someone as disrespectful as him did not deserve Natalie. Natalie didn’t mind at all. Besides, she


    thought that as the client, Brandon had the right to discuss the promotion n with them.


    Clyde tucked his anger inside him, smiling his usual elegant smile as he returned to his seat.


    The three of them talked about the publicity.


    “Public exposure is indeed important to a sessful independent designer, I believe,” Clyde said,


    analyzing the matter logically. “I will reveal your identity on social media tforms at some point and


    arrange an exclusive interview with you. What do you think?”


    Natalie scrunched her face, looking skeptical. “Isn’t it too much?”


    Clyde smiled reassuringly. “You deserve this kind of publicity. It’s just right.”


    Natalie’s frown persisted. She couldn’t decide what to do.


    “I don’t think so.”


    Brandon’s voice cut Natalie’s failed attempt to refuse before she could even say it.


    Clyde’s frown deepened, betraying his displeasure as he turned to Brandon. “Well, does Mr. Larson


    have any more enlightening suggestions?” he inquired.


    With his arms crossed, Brandon elevated his chin and uttered in a hushed tone, “The essence of


    fashion design lies within the creation, not the creator. A designer’s allure to clients hinges on their


    prowess. Natalie possesses that skill. She doesn’t require excessive self-promotion.”


    The retort came swiftly. “It’s called establishing a personal brand, Mr. Larson. Haven’t you grasped that


    yet?”


    Dismissing thement with an indifferent nce, Brandon countered, “Natalie’s lineage is evident to


    all. Exaggerating her self-promotion will only divert public attention towards her background,


    overshadowing her talents and inciting scrutiny.”


    With a sneer, Clyde challenged, “I believe Miss White can disperse any negative rumors with her


    abilities. As her husband, don’t you trust her strength?”


    His words were a transparent attempt to drive a wedge between the couple.


    A fierce glint shed in Brandon’s eyes, barely masking the simmering anger. “Natalie is my wife. I


    comprehend her nature better than you could, and I’m more devoted to protecting her than you are.”


    Defiant, Clyde locked gazes with Brandon. “Then Mr. Larson should also have faith in Miss White.”


    Desiring to end the dispute, Brandon’s eyes softened as they met Natalie’s. “Natalie, the decision is


    yours.”


    Eagerly, Clyde awaited her verdict.


    Furrowing her brow, Nataliepsed into deep contemtion.


    Momentster, she offered an apologetic smile to Clyde. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lambert, but I concur that it’s


    best not to be overly ostentatious,” she conceded.


    His disappointment palpable, Clyde argued, “Given Miss White’s capabilities, it’s hardly ostentatious.”


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Natalie elucidated, “While I do be an independent designer, my personal studio is a recent


    endeavor. I’m essentially a novice in the industry. That’s why I prefer not to be too mboyant. My


    current goal is to establish a solid reputation for my designs and introduce them to the public in a


    sensible manner.”


    Clyde remained silent, though his disappointment lingered.


    He nodded reluctantly. “Then let’s proceed with your approach, Miss White.”


    After hashing out the promotion n’s particrs, Clyde, unable to stomach the couple’s affectionate


    exchanges any longer, excused himself.


    As he departed, Brandon arched an eyebrow and shed a provocative grin. Clyde’s fists clenched in


    fury.


    On the way home, Natalie recalled the earlier tension and teased, “You were jealous, weren’t you?”


    With a nonchnt shrug, Brandon replied, “Why would I envy a man who pales inparison to me on


    all fronts?”


    “Conceited,” Natalie chuckled.


    Gazing out the window, she suddenly felt disoriented by the unfamiliarndscape. Puzzled, she


    inquired, “This isn’t the route home. Where are we headed?”


    With a cryptic smile, Brandon assured her, “You’ll discover our destination soon enough.”


    Momentster, the car eased to a stop in front of an elegantly adorned boutique.


    Surprised, Natalie eximed, “Isn’t this the store we visited earlier? How did theyplete the


    renovations so swiftly?”


    First to exit the vehicle, Brandon chivalrously opened the door for Natalie. “Come, let’s take a closer


    look.”


    Her heart swelled with affection.


    She hadn’t anticipated that Brandon would go to such lengths to orchestrate her dream studio.


    Entering hand in hand, Natalie marveled at the interior.


    The decor mirrored her vision perfectly, and even the receptionist and assistanthad been meticulously


    selected by Brandon.


    Tears brimmed in Natalie’s eyes as she choked out, “When did you find the time to transform this vast


    space?”


    Tenderly wiping her tears, Brandon confessed, “I began preparations the day we chose a name for your


    atelier.”


    The more she explored the studio, the more t*ouched Natalie felt.


    Brandon had everything prepared for her, as it turned out. He was keen to arrange even the smallest


    details.


    “Thank you, Brandon.” Natalie looked at him sincerely as she thanked him from the bottom of her heart.


    Brandon affectionately pinched the tip of her nose. “Silly girl, I’m your husband, you don’t have to thank


    me. It’s my duty.”


    Once again, she scanned the studio, silently calcting how much the rent would cost for a month and


    how many orders it would take to get back the money invested. Natalie’s anxiety increased the more


    she thought about it.


    This shop was luxuriously decorated and not to mention was located in the center of the city, so the


    rent must be expensive. As a new independent designer, would she be able to pay the rent?