She cast a glance at Suzanne’s flat belly and asked calmly, “Certainly, we can, but may I ask how many months along you are, Miss Duncan?” typical gesture of pregnant women, cradling her belly in her hand. “Why do you ask that?” Natalie shifted her gaze away from Suzanne’s belly, suppressing her feelings of uneasiness. She maintained her composure and calmly explained, “The reason
I’m asking is that as pregnancy progresses, a woman’s body shape changes very quickly, so it’s important for us to know the exact stage of pregnancy in order to design custom maternity wear for the expectant mother. However, from what I can see, you are not showing yet. Maybe you’re only a month or two along?”
Suzanne looked down at her flat belly and let out a smile with a hidden meaning. “I’m not pregnant at the moment. Right now… I’m just making preparations towards it.”
Natalie was surprised by Suzanne’s response, and couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “If you’re not pregnant yet, why are you in such a hurry to have maternity clothes made? Pregnancy is unpredictable, so there’s no need to rush into getting custom clothing until you’re actually pregnant.”
Suzanne lifted her head and met Natalie’s eyes with a smile that appeared slightly insincere. “Well, I have a strong feeling that I’ll get pregnant soon.”
Natalie was puzzled by Suzanne’s confidence. “Isn’t getting pregnant mostly a matter of luck? Why are youso certain that you’ll conceive soon?” Suzanne gave Natalie a sly wink and spoke with a mysterious smile. “Because I have a highly capable doctor who can guarantee that I’ll be able to conceive soon.”
As Natalie listened, she increasingly felt uneasy, but she simply nodded and extended her best wishes. “In that case, I hope all your wishes come true, Miss Duncan, and that you have a healthy and beautiful baby.”
“Certainly,” Suzanne replied with an even brighter smile. “Both the father-to-be and | appreciate your kind wishes.”
After all, she was about to carry Natalie’s husband’s child. Suzanne added silently in her mind.
At this point, the smugness in her eyes could no longer be hidden.
She could already imagine the anguish that would consume Natalie when she became pregnant with Brandon’s child and wore maternity clothes that had been specially designed by Natalie herself.
Once she conceived Brandon’s child, she would have the legitimacy to claim the position of matriarch of the Larson family and ascend to the ranks of high society.
Filled with a sense of triumph, Suzanne couldn’t suppress her smirk anymore as she imagined the pain that Natalie would have to endure when she was abandoned by Brandon, as well as how the Larson Group would soon fall into her grasp.
Natalie, on the other hand, couldn’t shake off the strange feeling of growing discomfort in her heart as she observed Suzanne’s inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
Why did it seem like Suzanne was deliberately showing off to her? Did Suzanne know that she couldn’t get pregnant?
Natalie pondered over it for a moment, and then quickly dismissed the idea. Only her closest confidants were aware of her medical situation, and she trusted them to keep it confidential. As a result, Suzanne couldn’t possibly know about it. Natalie took a quick glance at Suzanne. Noticing the persistent bright smile on her face, Natalie made the conscious effort to suppress the annoyance that was boiling within her.
Perhaps she was just overthinking things. Women just felt especially happy during the pre-conception period and couldn’t help but display their happiness to those around them.
Not wanting to dwell on this matter any further, Natalie decided to change the topic. “So, Miss Duncan, what kind of maternity clothing would you like?”
Suzanne propped her chin up with one hand and said with a smile, “I don’t have any special requests, Miss White. I trust your creativity. Feel free to design whatever you think is best.” After exchanging a few more words and confirming whether there was nothing else to discuss, Natalie immediately stood up to make her exit. She didn’t want to stay any longer, not even for a second
In their daily routine, Brandon showed up at Natalie’s studio when dusk arrived, ready to accompany her back home.
Upon entering the space, his eyes landed on Natalie. Seated at her desk, she was hunched slightly, an aura of melancholy surrounding her. At the sound of his entrance, Natalie looked up, a strained smile on her face, and said, “You’re here.”
A knot formed in Brandon’s chest. He quickly moved to sit by her, gently taking her hands and scanning her face with worry. “What happened? You look drained. Are you ill or is something bothering you?”
Ever since Natalie’s medical report had arrived, Brandon was acutely aware of her emotional condition, fearing anything that might cause her distress.
He found himself wishing he could stay with Natalie round the clock, just to keep his worries at bay.
The cause of Natalie’s gloom today was Suzanne’s earlier conversation.
An unsettling feeling stirred within her, triggered by Suzanne’s words and that smug glint in her eyes, bringing Natalie’s own misfortune to mind.
She harbored doubts that Suzanne was aware of her infertility, perhaps purposefully broaching the subject in her presence.
Pregnancy, however, was a delicate matter between Natalie and Brandon. If she brought it up, his worry would only amplify.
After mulling it over, Natalie decided to keep mum. She forced a smile and said, “I’m alright, just a little stressed with work today.”
But Brandon was not convinced.
He knew Natalie well enough to understand that work challenges didn’t weigh her down.
In fact, tougher the task, the more it fueled her competitive fire and energized her. She definitely wouldn’t be this downcast because of work.
Something wasn’t adding up.
With a firm look in his eyes, Brandon pressed, “Are you sure nothing’s wrong? Natalie, we vowed honesty. Don’t hide anything.”
“Silly,” Natalie replied, gently brushing his worried face, her voice soft. “I’m truly okay.”
Despite his persistence, Natalie’s responses remained unchanged. Finally, he relented and said, “Alright, but remember to share if something’s bothering you. Don’t keep it all inside.”
With a nod and a playful grin, Natalie assured him, “Understood, darling.”
Glancing at her wristwatch, she noted, “I’ve got some work left. Could you wait a bit?”
After saying that, she immersed herself in handling the commission of Star Entertainment. Suzanne’s words and demeanor may have rubbed her the wrong way, but Natalie was resolved not to let it affect her work or her ambition.
While Natalie was engrossed, Brandon discreetly sent a message to Sean. “Find out from Lexi what happened at the studio today. Natalie’s been off.”
Natalie’s insistent assurances were paradoxically fueling his concern.
Her appearance contradicted her claims. She was clearly masking her discomfort to put him at ease.
Looking at Natalie, Brandon let out a quiet sigh. Such a stubborn girl.
In the corridor, Sean, having received the boss’ message, quickly stopped Lexi who was on her way home.
What’s the matter, Sean?” Lexi queried. “I need to head home and make dinner.” Cornering Lexi, Sean asked cryptically, “Mr. Larson wanted to know if anything unusual happened in the studio today?”
“What?” Lexi, taken aback, furrowed her brows and pondered. “No, no issues today
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.”
“I’m not inquiring about that,” Sean’s gaze darted towards the office as he murmured. “What has put Mrs. Larson off? Has someone upset her?”
“I get your drift now,” Lexi responded, her confusion fading away.
She brushed her fingers through her hair and said hesitantly, “It might be best if Mr. Larson queries my boss directly. As her assistant, | can’t just leak information about her.”
Sean noticed Lexi’s barely contained annoyance and her burning desire to retort. It dawned on him. Outraged, he spat, “Is there truly someone bold enough to upset Mrs. Larson like this? It’s like poking the bear!”
Stroking his chin in contemplation, he sighed. “Mr. Larson won’t let this go unpunished.”
Lexi blinked quickly, her lips miming a zipped lock, signifying her silence.
Sean felt a throb in his temples at her gesture. “Don’t wall me off. Mr. Larson is doing this for Mrs. Larson’s benefit.”
More importantly, if he couldn’t get to the bottom of Mrs. Larson’s discontent,
Mr. Larson would inevitably slash his wages.
Lexi hid her mouth and mumbled, “Even if Mr. Larson asked me directly, my lips would be sealed.”
“Why though?” Sean queried, perplexed.
Lexi stood up straight, thumped her chest, and asserted, “My duty as an assistant is to maintain secrecy on matters my boss wishes to keep under wraps. That’s a fundamental trait of a professional assistant.”