Only then did Natalie notice several others standing beside Estella.
She greeted them with a beaming smile, “Hello, and welcome to my studio.”
They returned Natalie’s warm welcome.
Estella grinned, “Aside from paying you a visit, my friends also wish to commission you to design a few garments for them.
Might you have the time?”
Natalie was taken aback by Estella’s unexpected visit and the generous offer.
She was deeply touched.
“Thank you, Estella.”
“Oh, there’s no need for thanks.”
Estella 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 Estella’s companions chimed in, “Truth be told, we initially placed 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?” Estella 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 too late to change designers.” Furrowing her brow, Natalie shook her head solemnly.
“I apologize. But I cannot accept the offer.”
The room was filled with disbelief.
No one could fathom why Natalie would refuse the order.
As Natalie gracefully poured coffee for her guests, she softly explained, “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 create complications for Mr. Wesley.”
Estella, 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 relationship between Natalie and W Marks Studio, potentially fostering animosity between them.
“You’re absolutely right,” Estella 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 their composure.
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 Estella and Sean’s relationship.
However, upon hearing Sean’s name, Estella’s smile was quickly replaced by a scowl.
“Don’t even mention Sean to me!”
With fists clenched, Estella fumed, “He is a workaholic! He never has any time to spend with me!”
The blame for Sean’s excessive overtime fell squarely on one person: Brandon! Natalie chuckled awkwardly, “Oh, is that so?”
Estella continued to vent, waving her fists in anger.
“Brandon gets to enjoy leisure time with his wife while squeezing every last drop of time and energy from his employees. It’s left Sean with no time for dating! How utterly unreasonable…”
In her impassioned tirade, Estella failed to notice the sudden quiet in the room or the frantic winks Natalie sent her way.
“Ahem…”
A familiar, embarrassed cough interrupted Estella’s rant.
It was evident that Estella recognized the voice’s owner.
Her face stiffened, and she quickly swallowed the harsh words she had been ready to unleash.
“Actually…”
Estella 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 too late now.”
A deep, charming voice sounded from behind Estella.
“Are you criticizing me?”
Estella 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, Estella hastily invoked Natalie’s name as an alibi.
Suppressing a smirk, Brandon cast a glance at Sean beside him and drawled, “If it weren’t for your timely cough, she’d have unleashed a torrent of slander against me.” Sean and Estella 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 Estella and their friends away.
Silence enveloped the reception room once more.
Noticing Brandon’s sullen expression, Natalie couldn’t help but laugh.
“As the CEO, are you really going to bicker with a young lady?” 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 Estella’s friends had whisked away every last dessert from the platter. Her face turned into a scowl.
But after a second, she regained her composure.
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Natalie placed 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 blanketed 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, declaring, “Mandy won’t be able to deliver the design Carly desires. She’ll come 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 flashed a confident grin and challenged, “Care to wager on that?”