Chapter 712 Change In Attitude
As a precaution. Preston decided to sound out Nathaniel.
“We’ve been acquainted for years, Mr. Lesley. Do you still not know me?” A cold smile formed on Nathaniel’s lips. “Sebastian is loyal to me. I won’t disappoint him just to please others. He deserves this.”
Nathaniel was right. He didn’t need to please others, for he had the quality of being the one others toadied to.
Preston stared at Nathaniel. He quickly came up with a plan and gave him a vague answer.
“Even though an elder brother can be considered a parent, my parents are still alive and well, so I can’t decide on my parents‘ behalf. I hope you can forgive me for that. The Lesley family isn’t a common household, so if Mr. Taggart wishes to continue staying by my sister’s side, he’ll have to follow the rules Following traditional marriage customs is a must. I’m sure that isn’t a difficult request.”
Preston’s change in attitude caught Sebastian off guard.
Despite the happiness within him, Sebastian forced himself to play it cool. “Rest a*sured, Mr. Lesley. I’ll respect Victoria’s and the Lesley family’s requests. I won’t let you down.”
He was eager to show Preston his sincerity toward Victoria, but he wasn’t a smooth talker.
Preston didn’t need Sebastian to persuade him with clichés. He gave him a long stare and warned, “Sebastian, remember your promise today.”
At that moment, David raced over with his secretary. “It’s my honor to have you both, Mr. Hadley and Mr. Lesley, attend my mother’s birthday banquet. I apologize in advance if there’s any lack of hospitality.”
David wasn’t hoping much when he sent the invitation to Nathaniel and Preston since it wouldn’t affect him in the slightest if the two didn’t show up, but if they did attend, his social status would rise.
He wouldn’t have to be cautious and check others‘ expressions in the future when he managed his company. Those people might end up being the ones who buttered up to him.
David had had people keep an eye on Nathaniel and Preston. When he noticed the growing tension between the two, he didn’t dare to approach and had chosen to watch from the side instead.
“Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Labarge. You gave me a chance to settle some troublesome matters. I’ll have to take my leave since I have something else scheduled,” Preston said indifferently.
He turned around and left the moment he finished.
David only got the gist behind Preston’s words and misunderstood them for some dispute between Preston and Nathaniel, not connecting it to the scandal of Sebastian and Victoria’s relationship.
David was about to approach Nathaniel when the butler ran to his side and whispered something in his
“I’m sorry, I have to deal with an urgent matter with my mother. Please excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley.” After courteously explaining his departure, David left with his butler without waiting for a reply from Nathaniel and Christina.
Christina hadn’t caught sight of Winston since the banquet started. That, along with David’s hasty departure, piqued her curiosity.
Hanus
“You must be tired. Let’s head home.” Nathaniel had never liked attending banquets. Since he had already achieved what he came out to do that day, he didn’t need to continue wasting his time there in the name of talking business. Moreover, Christina was quite far in her pregnancy, She needed rest too.
Christina frowned. “Are we leaving already? We haven’t wished Old Mrs. Labarge a happy birthday yet.”
“Old Mrs. Labarge is busy handling something, so she won’t have time to meet anyone. Sending her a present is enough.” Nathaniel leaned closer and whispered in Christina’s ear, “Winston is here. I’m sure it won’t be peaceful for the Labarge family tonight. We don’t need to be dragged into their mess,”
“Let’s head home, then. I’m a bit tired.” A flash of disappointment flickered across Christina’s eyes. She wasn’t interested in the bustling atmosphere around her.
Catching the look in her eyes, Nathaniel didn’t expose her thoughts immediately. “Sebastian, I’m putting you in charge of sending Ms. Lesley home.”“
Sebastian nodded. “Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley. Be careful on the road.”
Before leaving, Victoria grabbed Christina’s arm and said, “I heard Winston is going to part ways with David. The conflict between them has made them turn against each other.”
Christina said impa*sively. “I’m free tomorrow. I can keep you company.”
Victoria understood her implication. “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When Christina and Nathaniel returned to the car, Nathaniel asked, “What did you talk about with Victoria earlier? You guys were being mysterious, so I’m a bit curious.”
Christina smiled in response. “It’s nothing. Victoria wants to join my fashion design studio. Since the renovation is near completion, she wants to take a look around. Also, she asked for my company to shop for her wedding ring as a surprise for Sebastian.”
She wasn’t lying. She and Victoria had talked about it on WhatsApp. They merely brought forward the date to purchase the wedding ring.
Nathaniel looked indifferent, so she couldn’t gauge his thoughts.
“Nathaniel, you can’t tell anyone about her being the chief designer of my studio. I would like to wait until the day the studio resumes business before making a solemn announcement to the public. Oh, keep that tidbit about her proposal to Sebastian a secret, too,” Christina added.
Nathaniel wrapped his arms around her. “Okay. Let me know if your studio needs my help. I have a few media companies that can help promote and advertise your studio.”“
“I’m sure the fee is expensive. I can’t afford that.”
She had already poured a lot of her savings into renovating the studio. When it started operating, it still needed a large sum of money. There was also Gibson Corporation taking off on top of that. Christina had lost two–thirds of her savings.
Nathaniel chuckled. “I’m not taking your money. It’s free advertising. The media companies are considered matrimonial properties, so you have ownership over them as well. We’re married. You don’t have to draw a line with me. I don’t like that.”
Nathaniel’s considerate offer made Christina feel guilty. She regretted lying to him and omitting the truth.
Her apology was already on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it back at the very last minute. She decided to tell him everything once she found out the reason why David and Winston fell out after meeting with Victoria the next day,
Christina tried comforting herself with that excuse but couldn’t convince herself.
“Christina, I have something to ask you, and I hope you can tell me the truth.” Nathaniel’s smile slowly faded. “I heard you’ve been investigating Yerek’s a*sets overseas. What are you trying to do?”
Yerek’s circumstances were vastly different from before. Those who willingly supported him weren’t good people. For such an egoist like Yerek, he would surely take his revenge against Christina once he could stand on his own feet.
Nathaniel couldn’t handle things getting out of his control. He hoped Christina would choose to rely on him forever.
“My father’s cut is among the a*sets Nigel’s transferred overseas. I have to get it back for him. Based on my investigations, it seems Yerek has no a*sets under his name, both domestically and internationally, except for the companies in the country that are facing bankruptcy.”
