Intrigued, Brandon countered, “A wager, you say? What are the stakes?”


    Natalie mulled it over for a moment before a devilish grin spread across her face.


    “If you lose, you shall serve as my assistant for a day at my studio—no excuses! Lexi can take the day


    off, and you’ll fill in for her.” Upon hearing this, Lexi gasped and waved her hands frantically.


    “No, no! How could Mr. Larson possibly be an assistant?”


    To her astonishment, Brandon cheerfully epted, “I have no issue with that. However, I do have one


    condition…”


    He leaned in, a wicked smile ying on his lips, and whispered his demand into Natalie’s ear.


    Natalie’s eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed crimson.


    “What do you think? Can you handle it?”


    Brandon teased, taking delight in her embarrassment.


    Face ame, Natalie red at him and tly refused, “No, I cannot!”


    With a provocative tone, Brandon taunted, “Lacking the confidence to follow through? How can you


    expect to win this wager?”


    Natalie hesitated but remained resolute.


    He continued to goad her.


    “As the CEO of Larson Group, I’m willing to serve as an assistant, yet you shy away from such a minor


    task. How can you call yourself an independent designer?”


    “Fine, I ept!”


    Natalie gritted her teeth and nodded in agreement.


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


    Defeated by Brandon’s argument, she would be branded a coward if she didn’tply.


    Ovee with curiosity, Lexi quietly inquired, “Boss, what was Mr. Larson’s condition? I promise, your


    secret’s safe with me!”


    Once again, Natalie’s cheeks reddened.


    She pursed her lips and refused to indulge Lexi’s curiosity.


    Upon seeing this, Brandon couldn’t help but chuckle.


    Natalie shot him a withering re at the sound of hisughter.


    Noticing the hour, she swiftly wrapped up her work.


    Lexi abandoned her line of questioning and gleefully departed.


    Finally able to exhale, Natalie grasped Brandon’s hand and hurriedly ushered him out.


    Her mind filled with thoughts of Brandon’s condition, she felt flustered and eager to escape the confines


    of the office.


    Hand in hand, they exited the studio, bantering yfully.


    As they emerged, Natalie spotted a man waiting at the door, and her brow furrowed in displeasure.


    He caught sight of Natalie and immediately beamed, approaching her.


    “Miss White, a pleasure to meet you.”


    The unexpected presence of Clyde irked Natalie, but, ever the diplomat, she masked her distaste and


    inquired coolly, “Mr. Lambert, what brings you here?”


    Clyde’s expression was tinged with guilt as he replied, “I’vee to apologize for my thoughtlessness


    last time. My actions caused you to lose an order.”


    Forcing a polite smile, Natalie responded, “idents happen, Mr. Lambert. Don’t dwell on it. If there’s


    nothing else, please take your leave.”


    Clyde’s remorse seemed to deepen.


    “Miss White, I know you’re upset. I’m here to offer a sincere apology.”


    He then produced a ticket from his pocket and extended it to Natalie.


    “I’ve brought you a gift as a token of my regret. I believe you’ll find it quite appealing.”


    Brandon harbored a deep dislike for Clyde.


    With a frosty gaze, he eyed the ticket in Clyde’s hand and icily retorted, “Natalie has no intention of


    apanying you. Be gone.”


    Yet, upon seeing the ticket, Natalie’s eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty.


    Clyde detected the wavering in her gaze and couldn’t help but smirk triumphantly.


    “Mr. Larson, perhaps you’re unaware, but this ticket grants ess to an art exhibition held by the


    esteemed Nelson Nixon. He mentored the famed designer, Draco Wesley, and is a renowned artist


    within the industry. His age advances, and this may very well be his final exhibition. Professionals


    throughout the industry are moring to attend. Such tickets are now exceptionally rare. Surely, you


    understand, Mr. Larson?”


    Clyde was well aware that no one in the design world could resist the allure of Nelson’s art exhibition.


    He seized this opportunity to extend an invitation to Natalie, not only to spend time alone with her but


    also to undermine Brandon.


    In his mind, a man ignorant of art hardly deserved to be Natalie’s husband.


    As Natalie wavered, Brandon’s expression grew stormy.


    Pausing briefly, Clyde continued to mock, “Mr. Larson, your expertise lies in business, not design or art.


    Nheless, you shouldn’t hinder your designer wife from attending the exhibition, should you?”


    Suddenly, Brandon recalled his dismal performance in school art sses and his woefulck of artistic


    knowledge. His countenance darkened further.


    Regardless of his unfamiliarity with art, if he desired entrance to Nelson’s exhibition, he could easily


    acquire tickets. He didn’t require Clyde’s charity.


    Natalie found amusement in Brandon’s reaction and gently touched his hand, signaling for him to


    remainposed.


    She regarded Clyde coolly, asking, “Is your apology genuine?”


    Sensing a window of opportunity, Clyde eagerly nodded.


    “Absolutely! I sincerely hope you can forgive my previous thoughtlessness!” A faint smile graced


    Natalie’s lips.


    “Very well, I forgive you. However, I have an additional request.”


    Clyde’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.


    “Miss White, simply state your desire. If it’s within my power, I shall make it so!” Natalie’s smile


    broadened.


    “Given your extensive connections, you must possess more than one ticket, correct? I’d like you to


    provide me with another. I trust this isn’t an unreasonable request?”


    Without hesitation, Clyde produced a second ticket and presented it to Natalie.


    “As luck would have it, I have an extra. Miss White, please ept my humble offering.”


    He had intended to keep the second ticket for himself, but since Natalie requested it, he had no


    grounds to refuse.


    Furthermore, he assumed Natalie sought the ticket for a friend, as Brandon, being artistically


    disinclined, would surely waste it.


    In due course, he’d secure another ticket.


    As long as Brandon didn’t apany Natalie, Clyde wouldn’t object to joining her and her friend.


    Beaming, Natalie epted the ticket and replied, “Thank you, Mr. Lambert. My husband and I must


    take our leave. Until we meet again.”


    With that, she linked arms with Brandon and breezed past Clyde.


    As she swept by, a delicate fragrance enveloped Clyde.


    He inhaled the subtle scent and watched Natalie’s retreating figure, captivated by her beauty.


    No wonder she had ensnared his heart…


    Once certain Clyde was out of sight, Natalie shed the pair of tickets at Brandon, a sly smile ying


    on her lips.


    “Why not join me, then?”


    Brandon hadn’t anticipated the ticket was intended for him.