Chapter 76 Full
It was evening when Nathaniel sat in the study, engrossed in some important documents. Meanwhile, Christina sat at her desk, turning on her computer to check her emails. To her surprise, she saw an email from the head of the design studio—a person who hadn’t reached out to her in a long time.
The email read: “Ada, there’s an important client who specifically requested you. They’re offering double the usual price.”
Christina had been collaborating with this studio since she was in university. Though the studio had a limited number of clients, the ones they did have were very demanding in terms of quality. Christina had always excelled in designing gowns tailored to her clients’ body types and personal styles, quickly making a name for herself in the industry.
However, with her university workload growing heavier, she had to put a pause on her part-time work, leaving the studio’s orders untouched for some time.
After some hesitation, she typed a reply: “I’ve been really busy lately, so I probably won’t have much spare time.”
Vivian, the studio’s manager, responded almost immediately: “Would you like to take a look at the client’s details first? They’re offering a really generous price. You might change your mind.”
Christina opened the attached file. As soon as she saw the offer, her eyes widened. Three million? She couldn’t believe it. But it wasn’t just the price that caught her attention. The client was none other than Julia.
Julia? Christina thought, incredulously. She was just cursing me out at home earlier today. If she knew I was the designer behind this, would she still be willing to wear my design?
At that moment, Nathaniel entered the room, sensing her distraction.
“What are you looking at?” he asked, walking up behind her.
Christina quickly closed the email window and turned to face him, her mind racing. “Your mom wants me to design a gown for her, but she doesn’t know I’m the designer. Do you think I should accept the job?”
Nathaniel, having just finished some work, unbuttoned his shirt and started changing into his pajamas. The sight of his strong, toned muscles caught Christina’s attention. The way the light highlighted his body was enough to make her pause for a moment.
Without noticing her gaze, Nathaniel responded casually, “Do as you please. If you want to accept the offer, then do so. If not, that’s fine too.”
Christina swallowed hard, trying not to stare, and quickly shifted her attention back to the computer. “I want to accept it. Even though she doesn’t like me, it’s for you, and I don’t want to cause any more tension. But I also don’t want it to be too awkward between us.”
She would have been okay turning the offer down if she hadn’t seen the details, but now, refusing it would seem petty.
Nathaniel noticed her nervousness and, with a fluid motion, took the computer from her and pulled her into his embrace. They both sank under the sheets of the bed, enveloped in the darkness.
“Darling, you’re so understanding,” Nathaniel whispered. “Let me reward you properly…”
The following morning, the sunlight poured into the room, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. Nathaniel woke up first, noticing Christina still fast asleep in his arms. He kissed her forehead gently before getting out of bed.
Christina, waking up late, hurriedly got ready, cursing her sore body as she forced herself out of bed and packed her things before rushing out the door.
Meanwhile, Julia, still waiting for a response, assumed that Ada was trying to raise her price. So, she made another call to the studio and upped her offer to five million. Her only condition was that the designer would have to visit her personally and create the design on the spot.
Vivian quickly passed the new offer along to Ada, but Christina was so busy working at the store that she didn’t check her phone until the evening. By the time she finished her shift, she realized she had forgotten to change Nathaniel’s wound dressing, something she’d promised to do earlier.
She immediately called Nathaniel and found out he was still in the office working on some urgent documents. After getting the address from Sebastian, she hurriedly took a cab to the office.
It turned out that Hadley Corporation had set up CEO offices in various districts to ensure Nathaniel had a comfortable workspace wherever he was. When Christina arrived, she saw Madison standing near Nathaniel, placing documents on his desk.
“These urgent documents need your signature before we can proceed,” Madison said, her voice soft.
Nathaniel, looking as calm and handsome as ever, nodded and quickly signed the papers. As he handed them back to Madison, he glanced at her. “It’s so late. You must be tired.”
Madison couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her chest at his words. This was the first time Nathaniel had spoken so gently to her since her return. A small smile crept onto her lips as she secretly enjoyed the moment, though it was fleeting.
“It’s late now, and not safe for you to go back,” Sebastian chimed in. “How about I book a hotel for you?”
Madison hesitated but glanced at Nathaniel, trying to gauge his reaction. “Mr. Hadley, don’t you live in Scenic Garden Manor?”
Sebastian quickly explained, “Mr. Hadley and Mrs. Hadley live in their condominium, and I stay at a hotel.”
Madison’s face fell as she realized Nathaniel was no longer staying in the luxurious Scenic Garden Manor. Instead, he had opted to stay with Christina in a much smaller condominium. Her heart ached with the realization of how much Nathaniel’s affection for Christina had changed things.
As Madison tried to hide her feelings, the door suddenly opened, and Christina walked in.
“Does your hand hurt today? I completely forgot to change your dressing. Why didn’t you remind me?” Christina said, her voice tinged with concern. She walked over to Nathaniel, snatching the papers from his hands before he could protest.
Before Madison could say anything, she was silenced by a sharp look from Nathaniel.
Christina quickly began to tend to Nathaniel’s wound, and Madison watched in silence, jealousy simmering inside her. The more she observed their closeness, the more her heart shattered.
Christina noticed Nathaniel’s injury had worsened throughout the day, with traces of blood on the bandages. “What happened? Did you do something strenuous?”
Sebastian quickly reassured her, “That’s not possible. Mr. Hadley has been in the office all day.”
Nathaniel, sensing Christina’s worry, rubbed her head gently. “It’s from last night. It was an accident,” he explained in a low voice.
Christina’s face immediately turned red with embarrassment, her lips pouting in annoyance. Why does he always say such things in front of others?
Madison stood off to the side, watching their exchange, her eyes filled with resentment. She turned and left abruptly, unable to bear witnessing their intimacy.
Sebastian, seeing the situation, followed her out of the office. He didn’t know what to say to comfort her. She was strong-willed, and he had no experience dealing with emotions like these.
“Don’t be sad,” he said, unsure of what to say. “Mr. Hadley got married three years ago. You know that, right?”
Madison wiped away her tears and, trying to hold her composure, responded bitterly, “Why can’t it be me? Why does it have to be her?”