There were also the newly recruited receptionists and assistants to pay. With their excellent abilities,
their requested sry must be high.
These were necessary expenses for the studio every month.
She just left the W Marks studio. Could she really afford this much?
If her studio failed to cover all the expenses using its own profit, Brandon would not hesitate to pay for
the losses. But that was not what she wanted.
“Not only did you find a studio, but it’s also been decorated already. Isn’t it too early?” Natalie felt a little
uneasy.
Brandon easily read what was on Natalie’s mind. He shook his head helplessly.
“Don’t worry about unnecessary things and just work at ease. After eight months, I will bring a
professional team to assess the studio’s profit and loss. If it turns out you couldn’t break even, then you
can just stop working.”
Inside Natalie, a bad feeling stirred like a storm.
She frowned, “What do you mean? You don’t want me to work?”
“If you’re not able to run a studio as an independent designer, then why bother work at all? I would
rather have you at home every day than let you work at W Marks studio with Draco,” Brandon said
seriously.
Brandon couldn’t stand knowing his wife was working with a man who once had a crush on her.
Yes, he knew Natalie would never give Draco a chance, but he still couldn’t ept it.
Natalie’s eyebrows knit. She couldn’t believe what he just said. “Brandon, it’s my own business. I will
be the one running it and working on it. I don’t need you to make a decision for me.”
“If this doesn’t turn out well, then maybe it’s a sign you should stay at home instead. Maybe it’s our
opportunity to have a baby,”
Brandon exined as if it would convince her to agree with him. “You like kids too, don’t you?”
Natalie huffed, “I do like kids, but I don’t think raising kids would prevent me from working. If I need to
sacrifice my work to have kids, then I would rather not give birth to them. I won’t give up my career.” 1
Every time she thought about how Laney gave up her career to give birth, she couldn’t help but feel
scared. She remembered how Laney lived like a walking dead because of her pregnancy and
shuddered a little.
That was thest thing she wanted.
Women should be able to have their own careers and hobbies. It was the only way they would be their
husband’s equal. A partner, not a follower.
“I don’t need this shop to be my studio.” Natalie stood a little firmly, raising her chin a little higher. “So
please don’t order me around about my career,” she said coldly.
Brandon’s expression was a mix of confusion and panic. He had no idea how tofort the angry
Natalie. “Natalie…”
Before he could finish his words, a voice suddenly came from outside. “Excuse me, is this the studio of
the designer, Natalie White?”
Natalie peeked in the direction of the voice and found a graceful woman by the door. Judging from her
appearance, Natalie knew she must be an upper-ssdy.
“How did you find this ce?” Natalie asked courteously if not a little surprised.
Even she had only found out about this studio today.
“I saw the address on her social media ount, so I specially came here to request her to design a
dress.”
The woman looked around and asked, “Is this the right ce?”
“Social media ount?” Natalie found herself bewildered.
Discovering today that the store had undergone a renovation, she hadn’t had the chance to update the
address of her studio on her social media profile. “Yes.”
The woman nodded, handing her phone to Natalie. She pointed to the address on the screen, inquiring,
“Isn’t this the right address?”
Upon closer inspection, Natalie realized that the address was indeed here, which only added to her
confusion.
When had she updated her personal information, and why couldn’t she remember doing so?
Suddenly, a suspect crossed her mind.
Natalie shot Brandon a fierce re. “Did you do this?” she demanded in a hushed tone.
He was the only one who knew her password and could ess her phone.
Grinning slyly, Brandon confessed, “I changed your social media ount’s address to this studio a
while ago. You know, users could easily track you down through Clyde’s photos. They are quite the
detectives, so it’s best to stay one step ahead.”
It dawned on her then that she’d been duped by Brandon. Fury simmered within Natalie, but the waiting
woman’s impatience interrupted any outburst.
“Is this Natalie White’s studio?” she interjected. “If not, I’m leaving,”
With a witness present, Natalie bit her tongue. Shooting Brandon another re, she whispered
venomously, “We’ll discuss thister.”
Inhaling deeply, Natalie turned to the woman, offering a courteous and warm smile. “Hello, miss,” she
greeted. “I’m Natalie White. What type of clothing design are you seeking? Please, share your
thoughts.”
She ushered the woman into the reception room.
“Miss.” Natalie poured a cup of coffee for her. “Might I ask your name?”
She took the coffee, sipping it gently before responding, “Carly Reed.”
Natalie inquired, “What kind of clothing design interests you?”
Setting her teacup aside, Carly replied earnestly, “I saw the outfit you created deeply moved. I’d like
you to design one for my grandmother as well.”
This being her firstmission in her independent studio, Natalie took it seriously. “Do you have any
specific design requirements?”
Carly smiled and replied, “I’m still considering it; I haven’t quite made up my mind.”
Surprised, Natalie probed further, “You haven’t decided yet?”
Visibly embarrassed, Carly exined, “After seeing that outfit, I couldn’t help but think of my own
grandmother and knew I had tomission you. However, I haven’t pinned down a particr style
yet.”
Natalie nodded, her expression veiled and uncertain. “I see.”
“Actually, I previously asked Draco from W Marks to design something for me.” Carly sighed. “Sadly,
his design wasn’t what I wanted.”
Taking another sip of tea, she continued with a smile, “But when I saw your designs, I just knew you
could create exactly what I sought. Now, having seen your studio’s decor, my faith in you is even
stronger.”
Natalie hadn’t anticipated such confidence from Carly.
After all, she was a fledgling independent designer, her reputation hardly rivaling that of the renowned
Draco.
Natalie took a demure sip of tea before saying earnestly, “Thank you for your trust, Miss Reed. I
promise not to let you down.”
Carly beamed, nodding in affirmation. “I believe in you.”
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, the hours slipping away unnoticed until the moon dipped behind
the hills. Reluctantly, Carly said her goodbyes.
Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“If you need anything further, please don’t hesitate to contact me,” Natalie offered, escorting Carly to
the door.
“Of course, we’ll chat soon,” Carly responded, her smile unwavering.
Once Carly departed, Natalie moved to tidy up the table, but Brandon sauntered in.
“Let the assistant handle it,” Brandon suggested, taking Natalie’s hand. “Why don’t we head home?”
She was still simmering over Brandon’s overreach.
Natalie casted him a sidelong re. “You go on without me,” she murmured. “I have more work to do.”
Raising an eyebrow, Brandon inquired, “What work could you possibly have at this hour?”
Her voice icy andced with lingering ire, Natalie retorted, “That’s none of your business. Just go—I
don’t want to see you right now.”
The air in the reception room crackled with tension, drawing the worried gazes of the receptionist and
assistant just outside.
Peeking in, the assistant hesitantly offered, “Mr. and Mrs. Larson, allow us to handle this.”
The receptionist, who had been quietly observing the unfolding drama, also chimed in nervously, “Yes,
we’ll clean up. Please, take a break.”
Neither wanted to witness their boss sh with his wife, fearing potential fallout.
Brandon nced at them, icilymanding, “You may leave for the day.” Relieved, the receptionist
and assistant bid their farewells and hastily exited.
Natalie’s fury red as she watched them leave.
Through gritted teeth, she spat, “Brandon! They’re my employees. Why do they obey you so willingly?”