Chapter 421 Azure Lazuli
The housekeeper served Christina a bowl of hot soup
“What is this Christins & brows were knitted together as she regarded the inky-black soup in front of her in aversio
“Mrs Hadley specially sent this over for your negishment Youll feel better after drinking it, and you might even be able to give Mr. Hadley a baby soon. My Christina” the housekeeper replied, grinning
from ea to rai
Immediately. Christina’s face flushed bright red. For my nourishment? More like prepping me for prepmency?
“I don’t want to drink this Give me something else she declined
A conflicted look showed on the housekeeper’s face Trm afraid that isn’t possible. Mr. Hadley has drunk a bowl, and this is yours. Mrs. Hadley gave the orders to watch you finish it. Why don’t you play along since she means well. Ms Christina?”
At that, Christina heaved a sigh. “Leave it here, then Make me a bowl of oatmeal, please.”
Acquiescing smilingly, the housekeeper whirled around and went into the kitchen.
The moment she left. Christina hastily slid the concoction before her over to Nathaniel with light movements. “Drink it for me.”
Nathaniel threw her a sidelong glance. “It’s not bitter. Try it.”
I feel sick from the smell alone, yet he’s claiming that it isn’t bitter? What a blatant lie!
Christina gazed at him with teary eyes like a lost lamb seeking help. “I’ll throw up after drinking it since it’s so bitter”
Nathaniel went silent.
“Pretty please?”
That whiny voice rendered the man defenseless.
Since he did not turn her down, Christina quickly took off after bidding him farewell.
As soon as Christina stepped into the office, Rayne hurried over. “You’ve got an appointment with a premier VIP today, and it’s almost time, Christina. Do make the necessary preparations.”
“Okay. Buy me some breakfast, please.” While saying that, Christina walked into the office.
A moment later, Rayne returned with breakfast.
Just when Christina had finished eating, the client arrived.
She straightened herself up before getting to her feet and going to meet the client.
In the conference room sat an elderly lady in a gown with her hair combed neatly and a rare emerald necklace on her neck.
She held a portfolio of Christina’s past works in her hand, and an a*sistant stood beside her.
Swinging open the door, Christina entered the room. Good morning. I’m the designer, Christina Steele”
She wore a chiffon shirt with frill sleeves that day, the low-cut design accentuating her long and slender neck. Her fair and exquisite skin gave others a sense of detachment.
“Good morning. This is Mrs Azure Lazuli. She would like to commission a gown for her seventieth birthday,” the a*sistant beside the elderly woman answered.
The instant Christina heard that name, she knew that it was a fake moniker.
From the way the elderly woman in front of her dressed, Christina could tell that the woman was either rich or influential. Well, I guess she doesn’t want to use her real name for fear that outsiders would ingratiate themselves with her.
“What kind of style would you like?” She promptly went into work mode.
“Something simple It can be in blue magenta, sepia, or any plain color. The pattern will be ink orchid with simplicity being the theme.” Still, it was the a*sistant who responded.
Azure turned a calm gaze on Christina, her eyes fixed on the emerald necklace on the latter’s neck.
While discussing the details with the a*sistant, Christina suddenly sensed someone staring at her. her eyes, she met Azure’s unfathomable gaze.
Lifting
The look in the latter’s eyes was kind and gentle. It was as though she was looking at her own child.
A sense of unease swamped Christina at being regarded with such a look from a stranger.
“The emerald on your necklace is really unique, Ms. Steele. May I know where you bought it?” Azure asked, her raspy voice carrying a sense of solemnity.
Christina instinctively glanced at the necklace on her neck. “It’s from my mother, who said it’s a family heirloom. I’m not sure about it either.”
In truth, she had never scrutinized the carving on the pendant, so she felt that it was nothing special.
“You have distinctive looks and a regal aura, Ms. Steele. Wearing such emerald suits you perfectly,” Azure remarked, her voice soft and composed.
“Thank you for the compliment.” Christina felt very much flattered.
At the same time, she lamented inwardly. This elderly lady is rather strange. Instead of talking about clothing at the first meeting, she’s concerned about the emerald I’m wearing.
“Shall I take your measurements?” Subsequently, she changed the subject.
Next to Azure, her a*sistant interjected, “Mrs. Lazuli is in a hurry. Please schedule another appointment. and make a house call for that. I hope to see your draft design drawing the next time we meet.”
Honestly, Christina was not keen on making house calls. Alas, the client before her offered no room for demurral.
Anyway, Rayne will be sure to charge a “reasonable” fee if I were to personally make a house call.
Following that thought, she relented, “Sure. I’ll make another appointment later.”
Azure flashed her a smile before leaving the conference room with her a*sistant.
ng until the two of them had gone a distance away, Christina turned to Rayne slightly. “Don’t you think that Mrs. Lazuli seemed to be looking at me strangely earlier?”
“You’re graceful and demure with looks favored by the elderly, so it’s only natural that she eyeballed you.” Rayne replied, finding nothing amiss.
At her reasoning, mirth bubbled within Christina. Well, perhaps it was out of curiosity that she studied me closely.
She then compiled all the information discussed just now. Before getting off work, she went to the factory to check on the situation.
After suffering a loss due to her carelessness back then, she was determined to keep a close eye on the factory this time.
The worst part was that Yerek managed to take advantage of the situation, and they presently had to give him dividends from the money they made from their operations.
No matter how she thought about it, she found it a huge loss.
At that precise moment, the phone rang. Christina answered it.
“I’m at Redolent House. Come over right now.” Yerek’s voice drifted out of the phone.
Planning to seek him out to discuss terminating the collaboration, Christina agreed. “Okay.”
Twenty minutes later, she entered the restaurant according to the location given.
With a server leading the way, she stepped into a private room.
A feast was laid out on the table. Dressed in a white shirt and a fitted black vest, Yerek held a bottle of red wine. “You came at the perfect time. I’m just about to open a bottle of red wine.”
Not there to drink with him, Christina stated indifferently with a dark expression, “What do you want before you’d pull out?”
Yerek threw her a meaningful look. “Look, this place is pretty good, huh? I bought some shares here with money from you and Nathaniel. The brand is doing well now, and it’s going to be listed soon. I’m waiting to make money, so why would I possibly pull out?”
Gritting her teeth, Christina snarled coldly. “How cunning and despicable!”
Half of the investment came from Yerek, but the money embezzled by the factory manager was already more than half the entire sum.
Even then, he refused to divulge the money’s whereabouts. As such, Christina could not get the money back.
Yerek was unperturbed and seemingly gave up since he could not gain her favor. “Thank you for the compliment.”.
“Are you deaf? That’s an insult!” After barking that in a harsh tone, Christina made to leave.
“Didn’t you say back then you didn’t want to know what exactly Nathaniel is hiding from you?” Yerek drawled with a smirk.
Christina stopped in her tracks “He’s not hiding anything from me”
“He’s hiding your true identity, deliberately keeping you in the dark!”
