Chapter 99 Hide In The Bathroom
Christina didn’t respond immediately to Madison’s challenge. Instead, she sat quietly, letting Madison’s words sink in. The secretary’s attempt to undermine her in front of Nathaniel wasn’t new, but it stung all the same. Christina was usually calm and collected, but this time, her patience was truly being tested.
She glanced up at Nathaniel, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. His expression was cold, his eyes narrowed slightly as he listened to Madison’s attempt to discredit her. Madison was clearly trying to plant seeds of doubt in Nathaniel’s mind, but Christina wasn’t about to let that happen.
Nathaniel, however, wasn’t having it. His tone was firm when he finally spoke. “She is no less capable than you,” he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
Madison blinked, caught off guard by his response. She had expected a more neutral reply, perhaps something that would allow her to continue pushing her agenda. Instead, Nathaniel had shut her down with a simple statement that left no room for further discussion.
Christina could feel her chest tighten with a mixture of relief and gratitude. Nathaniel hadn’t just defended her; he had done it decisively, making it clear to Madison that he trusted her abilities without question.
Madison, clearly irritated by this turn of events, took a step back. Her smile faltered for just a moment, but she quickly recovered, masking her frustration with a practiced politeness. “Of course, Mr. Hadley,” she said, her tone forced. “I was just concerned about the success of the meeting, as always.”
Nathaniel didn’t even look up from his paperwork as he responded. “I appreciate your concern, Madison, but I’ll handle the details of the gathering. Christina will be fine.”
Madison’s eyes narrowed slightly, her fingers twitching as if she were trying to suppress her growing anger. It was clear she didn’t like being dismissed so easily, especially when it came to something as important as Nathaniel’s decisions regarding business affairs. But she had learned the hard way not to show her true emotions in front of him.
She turned to leave, casting one final glance at Christina, but the look in her eyes was colder than ever. “Understood, Mr. Hadley,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Christina watched as Madison left the room, her steps echoing in the silence that followed. As soon as the door clicked shut behind her, Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, a sigh escaping his lips. His gaze softened as he turned toward Christina, who had been quietly observing the exchange from her spot beside his desk.
“You’re not bothered by her, are you?” Nathaniel asked, his voice quieter now, though still carrying the weight of his earlier frustration.
Christina paused, considering her response. Madison’s constant attempts to undermine her had certainly been irritating, but she wasn’t going to let it affect her any more than it already had. She met Nathaniel’s gaze, her expression calm but firm. “She can think what she wants,” she said, her tone steady. “I know what I’m capable of.”
Nathaniel studied her for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You’re right,” he said, his voice softening. “And that’s all that matters.”
Christina gave him a small smile in return, grateful for his unwavering support. It was moments like these, when the world outside seemed to be filled with obstacles, that she appreciated Nathaniel’s quiet confidence in her abilities.
He leaned forward, his gaze intense but affectionate. “Just remember, she’ll keep trying to get under your skin,” he warned, his voice low but serious. “It’s what she does.”
Christina’s smile widened, a hint of humor in her eyes. “I know,” she replied, leaning slightly toward him. “But as long as I have you by my side, I’ll be fine.”
Nathaniel chuckled softly, the tension in his body easing as he reached out to ruffle her hair affectionately. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes about the connection between them. Despite the ongoing games and schemes from people like Madison, Christina knew that she had Nathaniel’s support—and that was all she really needed.
The rest of the evening passed in relative peace, with both of them lost in their work. The office was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of papers or the faint click of a keyboard. Christina, still sitting beside Nathaniel’s desk, worked diligently on her jasmine flower design, her thoughts focused on her creative process.
She was used to the long hours, the late nights spent refining her work, but tonight felt different. There was a sense of calm, of stability, that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Despite everything going on around them, Nathaniel’s presence was a constant, grounding her in ways words couldn’t describe.
As the clock ticked on, the two of them remained in the quiet of the office, their bond deepening without the need for many words. It was moments like these that made everything else seem insignificant. In the end, it wasn’t about Madison’s jealousy or anyone else’s schemes. What mattered was the trust and understanding between them, a connection that neither of them would let go of, no matter the challenges they faced.
The evening slowly drifted into night, and though the world outside was filled with uncertainty, in Nathaniel’s office, everything felt just right.