As soon as she heard the phrase fellow designer,Mandys gaze took on a sharper edge. She sneered,Fellow designer, you say? Why? Are you also a designer? Stop asking questions if you cant afford to buy it.I despise people like you, talking as if you know everything. You should be careful with what you say if you dont want to end up making a fool of yourself. Her sharp words only made Natalie more confused. Tugging at Brandons shirt, she asked in a small voice,Whats going on? Did I say anything wrong? Mandy frowned at Natalies display of meekness. Brandon saw her open her mouth to make what was surely another snide remark and cut her off with a cold look,Miss Hamilton,would you like to clarify what you meant? A dark look crosses his face,like gray rumbling clouds that forewarned a storm. The threat in his eyes startled Mandy, making her take a few steps backward. But she quickly A dark look crosses his face,like gray rumbling clouds that forewarned a storm. The threat in his eyes startled Mandy, making her take a few steps backward.But she quickly steeled herself,fighting off her own cowardice. It was not she who had an affair-there was nothing to feel guilty for. She straightened her back and raised her chin, meeting his eyes with a cocky glare.Im the boss here. I decide how to run my business. Ill say it again-dont waste my time if youre not going to buy anything. Brandons jaw tightened as his lips pressed into a thin line of impatience. He glanced around him, narrowing his eyes at the dresses on display in the hall.Miss Hamilton,all you need to do is to explain the concept behind your designs. If my wife likes them, the price doesnt matter. Ill buy everything. As he spoke,he casually produced a black card from his pocket, throwing it to the bodyguard behind Mandy without so much as a blink. He said in a low voice,This card doesnt have a password. You can charge everything here. My wife is free to swipe as much as she wants. Fury coursed through Mandy at his arrogant display of power. Unable to contain herself,she grabbed his card and threw it on the floor, stepping all over it. Her face was flushed with anger.Dont insult me, Brandon. I wont be taking a single cent from you. A dangerous glint appeared in Brandons eyes, his voice carrying undercurrents of the infuriation that swirled beneath his calm facade.What do you mean, Miss Hamilton? he asked. Mandy could scarcely believe her own ears. She would admit that Brandon had intimidated her in the beginning, but she felt nothing but hatred for him at the moment. She didnt care how great of a man he was;she just wanted him and his mistress out of her sight. She seethed, punctuating every word with as much contempt as she could muster, My creations are valued and respected. They arent meant for mistresses, and I refuse to clothe the likes of them no matter how much money you offer. Now please leave and take your woman with you,or Ill call the police. Brandon had a reputation for his cold detachment-his calm,impassive armor rarely broke to reveal any trace of emotion. However, upon hearing Mandy call Natalie a mistress in public, he lost his temper. Miss Hamilton, apologize to my wife right now.Or do you want to be kicked out of Barnes? Im not afraid of you! Mandy retorted, her hands resting on her hips as she glared at Brandon. She would not be bossed around in her own territory.All your money would never change the fact that youre a filthy scum. Men like you who continue playing around after getting married are the absolute worst. Just looking at you makes my stomach turn, so leave before I make you! In his entire life, not once had Brandon been cursed like this. He clenched his fists until the veins popped out, his dark eyes fierce and unforgiving. He growled,Very well I- But before he could finish his words, he felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked down to see Natalie shake her headBrandon, dont be angry, she said. Miss Hamilton seemed to have misunderstood us.I doubt it,Mandy bit back.Whats there to misunderstand? Ive seen you holding hands with my own eyes. Are you trying to deny your relationship? Natalie smiled helplessly and patiently explained, Miss Hamilton, right? I think youve gotten it wrong. I am Natalie,Brandons wife. When Brandon addressed Mandy as Miss Hamilton, Natalie already had a vague idea of who she was. Brandon had mentioned her in the past, so Natalie knew that Mandy was also a designer. However, despite belonging to the same field, she and Mandy did not get along well. So it was a surprise to see Mandy openly oppose Brandon not because of her dislike of Natalie, but because she had mistakenly thought he was having an affair. She had chastised him harshly on behalf of Natalie,which left her both embarrassed and moved. Natalies eyes softened with gratefulness when she looked at her. She smiled and continued,Thank you for defending me, Miss Hamilton.
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You have my respect as a fellow woman, but what I said earlier is the truth. Brandon is my husband. He is not being unfaithful. You are Natalie? Mandy squinted at her in disbelief. She stared long and hard at the woman in front of her, but it did not overlap with the Natalie in her memory. There was certainly a resemblance, but the difference was still far too great. How could they be the same person? Mandys escalating confrontation had become the epicenter of the halls attention. No sooner had Elizabeth and Draco stepped foot into the venue than the resounding echoes of the spat reached them. From their position, they were privy to every crescendo and diminuendo of the unfolding drama. Frank had informed Elizabeth of Natalies refreshed countenance earlier.Armed with this knowledge,Elizabeth,ever the protective friend, wedged herself between Mandy and Natalie like a human shield. She implored,Mandy, calm down. This is Natalie. Theres no scandalous liaison, as you believe. Draco, with an air of authority and a deepening frown, ambled over, addressing Mandy pointedly,Whats the meaning of this scene youre crafting,Mandy Mandys disbelief was palpable. To her, Elizabeth and Draco, staunch allies of Natalie, seemed to be siding with the perceived interloper. Indignant, she retorted,Scandal or no scandal, this woman is nothing like the Natalie I know. However, as realization dawned,she let out an epiphanic Aha!with her tone dripping with sarcasm. Oh, I get it now! Youre wary of crossing Brandon. After all that Natalies done for you two, this is how you repay her? Elizabeth, with an exaggerated roll of her eyes, shot back,For heavens sake, Mandy,take a moment and really see. Natalies makeup transformation might be veiling her usual visage, but that doesnt change who she is. Eager to defuse the growing tension, Natalie chimed in gently,Thats right,Mandy.My look mightve shifted a tad, but listen closely. My voice Its still the same old voice you remember, isnt it? It was only then,when Mandy truly listened that the familiar cadence of Natalies voice, unmistakable and melodious, made her falter.Perhaps Perhaps youre right.. Elizabeth,spotting an opportunity to clear any lingering cloud of doubt from the audience, quipped,albeit with a hint of sarcasm,if you ask me, Mandys stirring the pot just because she and Natalie never saw eye to eye. Shes itching for everyone to mistake Natalie for some clandestine lover. Her intent wasnt just to slight Mandy but to offer clarity to the bystanders,ensuring no trace of misunderstanding remained. Yet Elizabeths words only fanned Mandys furyMakeup? Ha! This is more than a mere makeover. Shes been under the knife, Id wager! Fully aware of Mandys flair for theatrics,Draco knew this might snowball into a spectacle. Sidling up to her, he whispered a suggestion,Mandy,enough drama. Lets settle this behind closed doors, in your office. Elizabeth, trying to veil her frustration, cocked an eyebrow and remarked,Mandy,as much as youre trying to champion for Natalie, wouldnt you think shed prefer you didnt air her laundry in public? Perhaps your office would be a more suitable venue for this discussion? It was only then, amidst the sea of gawking eyes and hushed whispers,that Mandy grasped the sheer magnitude of the spectacle she had inadvertently orchestrated.A wash of crimson embarrassment painted her face, setting her Her initial tirade against Brandon was driven by a desire to expose his apparent deceitfulness for the world to see. How ironic, then, that her fervent defense ended up casting herself as the comedic lead in this play.It felt as if she was caught in the blinding spotlight, yearning for an escape route. Natalie, ever gracious, sought to allay Mandys discomfort. With a serene smile, she mused,Mandy, your intentions were golden. I recognize and appreciate the depth of your concern for me. Mandy,trying to salvage some semblance of grace from the debacle,attempted to regain her composure. With a theatrical flip of her hair, she beckoned,Well then, shall we adjourn to my office for a more private conversation? Upon entering the sanctuary of her office and the door sealing them off from prying eyes, Mandys facade of nonchalance crumbled. She shot Brandon a look of fervent curiosity. Is that truly Natalie by your side? She seems transformed. The silent inquisition was palpable, with Elizabeths and Dracos faces mirroring Mandys intrigue. The rooms atmosphere was thick with anticipation, all awaiting an explanation. Sensing the collective curiosity,Brandon sighed deeply and affirmed,Yes, thats Natalie. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she underwent a slight change in her appearance.