Only then did Natalie notice several others standing beside Este.


    She greeted them with a beaming smile, “Hello, and wee to my studio.”


    They returned Natalie’s warm wee.


    Este grinned, “Aside from paying you a visit, my friends also wish tomission you to design a few


    garments for them.


    Might you have the time?”


    Natalie was taken aback by Este’s unexpected visit and the generous offer.


    She was deeply touched.


    “Thank you, Este.”


    “Oh, there’s no need for thanks.”


    Este brushed off the gratitude with a wave of her hand.


    “Shall we head inside?”


    Natalie eagerly ushered everyone into the reception area and instructed Lexi to prepare coffee.


    Once all was in order, Natalie inquired with anticipation, “What kind of designs are you looking for?”


    One of Este’spanions chimed in, “Truth be told, we initially ced this order with W Marks


    Studio.


    However, upon learning you’d established your own studio, we’d like you to take over the project.”


    Natalie’s surprise was evident.


    “An order from W Marks? Is that…appropriate?” Este nodded, her smile reassuring.


    “You needn’t feel guilty. My friends and I chose W Marks initially because you were the designer there.


    Now that you’re an independent designer, we have no reason to remain with them.”


    Another voice concurred, “Exactly. It was your designs we sought from the start. W Marks Studio hasn’t


    commenced our order yet, so it’s not toote to change designers.” Furrowing her brow, Natalie shook


    her head solemnly.


    “I apologize. But I cannot ept the offer.”


    The room was filled with disbelief.


    No one could fathom why Natalie would refuse the order.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    As Natalie gracefully poured coffee for her guests, she softly exined, “I have faith in the designers at


    W Marks Studio. They possess the skill and creativity to craft designs that will undoubtedly please you.


    While I appreciate your kind gesture to switch designers temporarily to bring me business, it would


    ultimately hurt the designers at W Marks Studio and createplications for Mr. Wesley.”


    Este, a perceptive woman, instantly understood Natalie’s perspective.


    Indeed, their actions would have been ill-advised.


    It would not only tarnish the reputation of the designers of W Marks Studio but also strain the


    rtionship between Natalie and W Marks Studio, potentially fostering animosity between them.


    “You’re absolutely right,” Este conceded, a contrite expression on her face.


    “My apologies. Rest assured, I’ll actively seek other opportunities to bring you business in the future.”


    The others, too, regained theirposure.


    They were impressed by Natalie’s integrity and candor, assuring her that they would undoubtedly seek


    her design expertise in the future. Gratitude graced Natalie’s smile.


    The conversation shifted from design to more casual topics.


    During their chat, Natalie inquired about the status of Este and Sean’s rtionship.


    However, upon hearing Sean’s name, Este’s smile was quickly reced by a scowl.


    “Don’t even mention Sean to me!”


    With fists clenched, Este fumed, “He is a workaholic! He never has any time to spend with me!”


    The me for Sean’s excessive overtime fell squarely on one person: Brandon! Natalie chuckled


    awkwardly, “Oh, is that so?”


    Este continued to vent, waving her fists in anger.


    “Brandon gets to enjoy leisure time with his wife while squeezing everyst drop of time and energy


    from his employees. It’s left Sean with no time for dating! How utterly unreasonable…”


    In her impassioned tirade, Este failed to notice the sudden quiet in the room or the frantic winks


    Natalie sent her way.


    “Ahem…”


    A familiar, embarrassed cough interrupted Este’s rant.


    It was evident that Este recognized the voice’s owner.


    Her face stiffened, and she quickly swallowed the harsh words she had been ready to unleash.


    “Actually…”


    Este managed an awkward smile and attempted to curry favor with Brandon.


    “In my eyes, Brandon—no, I mean, Mr. Larson—is the finest boss in the world…”


    “It’s toote now.”


    A deep, charming voice sounded from behind Este.


    “Are you criticizing me?”


    Este immediately sprang up, putting a considerable distance between herself and Brandon, wearing


    an awkward smile.


    “Mr. Larson, fancy seeing you here today. Oh, I was merely jesting… I’m here to introduce some


    potential clients to Natalie.”


    Afraid that Brandon would take offense, Este hastily invoked Natalie’s name as an alibi.


    Suppressing a smirk, Brandon cast a nce at Sean beside him and drawled, “If it weren’t for your


    timely cough, she’d have unleashed a torrent of nder against me.” Sean and Este exchanged


    awkward smiles.


    Brandon chose not to dwell on the matter, instead waving his hand dismissively.


    “Since your girlfriend feels this way, I won’t keep you working today. You can leave early.”


    Sean, realizing Brandon desired some alone time with Natalie, nodded knowingly and ushered Este


    and their friends away.


    Silence enveloped the reception room once more.


    Noticing Brandon’s sullen expression, Natalie couldn’t help butugh.


    “As the CEO, are you really going to bicker with a youngdy?” Unwilling to admit defeat, Brandon shot


    back,


    “You should be more concerned about your desserts. You haven’t received any order yet, and you’ve


    almost run out of desserts.”


    As Natalie spun around, she found that Este’s friends had whisked away everyst dessert from the


    tter. Her face turned into a scowl.


    But after a second, she regained herposure.


    Natalie ced her hands defiantly on her hips, tilted her chin upward, and scoffed, “I’m not worried at


    all! I’ll have a fresh order in no time!”


    Brandon arched an eyebrow and inquired, “Oh, really? If I’m not mistaken, Carly has chosen another


    designer—Mandy, correct?”


    Brandon’s extensive web of informants nketed Barnes.


    If he sought information, nothing could elude his grasp.


    Hence, Natalie wasn’t taken aback by his knowledge of these matters.


    Natalie jutted her chin out even more, dering, “Mandy won’t be able to deliver the design Carly


    desires. She’lle back to me, you’ll see.” But Brandon remained unconvinced.


    He believed Natalie was merely boasting.


    “From what I’ve heard, Mandy enjoys quite the reputation in design circles. Carly won’t abandon her


    choice so easily.”


    Undeterred, Natalie shed a confident grin and challenged, “Care to wager on that?”