Chapter 700
Everyone in the studio knew how hard Draco had been working on the project. Nothing would happen if Mandy did not ruin her collaboration with Draco.
“So you’re saying this is Mandy’s fault?” Brenna asked with a chuckle.
“I didn’t say that it is entirely her fault. She is equally as responsible for the project as Mr. Wesley. It would be best to ask her about it too,” Elizabeth explained after a short pause.
Brenna was furious when she heard Elizabeth’s reply. Her tone turned cold, “I didn’t expect this from W Marks. Not only are you not admitting to your mistakes, but you’re also trying to shirk away your responsibilities. I trusted you to design the dress on Mandy’s account. But not only has Draco not finished the design, but he also created trouble for Mandy. I hope he can reflect on his inabilities and apologize to Mandy.”
“You must be joking. It was…” Elizabeth was so angry she was about to argue. However, she gritted her teeth and restrained herself as she dared not to offend someone as reputable as Brenna.
Natalie turned around when she heard Elizabeth raising her voice. She couldn’t tell what had happened but only saw Elizabeth trembling with annoyance as she held the phone.
Natalie got up and took the phone from her, putting it against her ear. However, the phone was already hung up. “Who was it? Why are you so angry?” Natalie asked with a frown as she put her arm around Elizabeth’s shoulder.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and sat down. “It was Brenna Olson. She called to urge Mr. Wesley to hurry up with her dress’ design. She said that it was our fault for being slow. I have never seen someone so unreasonable in my life!”
Natalie glanced towards the closed doors of Draco’s office and whispered, “It’s been a long time. Haven’t Mandy and Mr. Wesley made up? Their feud had even delayed the project…”
“I am also surprised. I thought it was just a small quarrel. I didn’t expect Mandy to neglect her work. No one expected things to escalate this far,” Elizabeth replied in her ear.
Half an hour after Brenna’s call, Draco returned to the studio with the design draft in his arms.
Elizabeth gently kicked Natalie’s leg under the table and murmured, “You have a good relationship with Mr. Wesley. Can you tell him about it for me?”
Elizabeth couldn’t bring herself to inform Draco of such terrible news.
Natalie nodded reluctantly as she understood Elizabeth’s dilemma. She stood up and knocked on Draco’s door. “Come in.”
Natalie pushed open the door and walked in but hesitated to say anything for a while.
Draco looked at her meaningfully and got straight to the point, “Did Brenna call?”
Draco’s voice was hoarse and evidently tired.
Natalie noticed he sounded off but didn’t probe any further. Instead, she answered dutifully, “You’ve guessed it. It’s Brenna. She called to urge for the design draft. Her attitude was not good. It’s most likely because I offended Mandy. Mr. Wesley, do you need me to explain to her?”
“No need. I’ll handle it,” Draco replied calmly and lowered his head, resuming his sketch. Natalie could not tell if he was serious or angry. She could only nod and was about to leave when suddenly, Draco said in a deep voice, “Brenna and Mandy’s families are very close. They might be using this matter to pressure me. They want to make me yield to them.”
Draco was a little rebellious. The more they cornered him, the less likely he was to yield.
Natalie paused for thought before replying in a low voice, “Okay, I’ll inform everyone not to get involved.”
Draco nodded before adding, “I have something to deal with this afternoon. Get everyone to continue with their work as usual. Just don’t let Mandy step foot into the studio again before the matter is settled.” Natalie wanted to offer advice but couldn’t figure him out. Sometimes, he could be very stubborn.
With both sides refusing to budge, would Mandy even return to the studio?
Natalie only hoped the matter could be swiftly settled. She didn’t want W Marks’ reputation to be tarnished.
In the afternoon, a security guard entered and reported, “A Miss Hamilton is at the door. She asked us to let her in.”
“Mandy’s here?” Elizabeth sounded a little surprised. “Draco was right.”
Natalie kept her eyes on her sketch and said indifferently, “Stop her. Tell her that she is not allowed to come in.”
The security guard nodded and hurried out to stop Mandy. However, Mandy shouted angrily outside the door a few moments later, “Natalie! I dare you to come out!” The security guard could stop Mandy’s car, but he couldn’t stop her.
Just as Mandy was about to barge through the studio’s doors, a group of security guards appeared and surrounded her. “I want to see Draco. Why are you stopping me?” Mandy exclaimed furiously. When she saw Natalie coming out, her rage grew, and she yelled, “You’ve succeeded in sowing discord between Draco and me. You must be satisfied now that our collaboration has broken down, right?”
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. But I’m definitely not the one who destroyed your collaboration, Natalie said in confusion.
Natalie played the recording from Brenna’s call.
“There, you heard it clearly. Brenna is so protective of you. Do you dare to say you have nothing to do with this matter?” she demanded. In actuality, she already knew the answer in her heart. She continued reproachfully, “Mr. Wesley has always regarded you as a trusted friend and partner. If you treat him as a friend too, you shouldn’t have ganged up with an outsider to pressure him.”
Mandy’s face darkened, and her arrogance disappeared. She stammered, “I have always regarded Draco as a good friend. I’m not aware of Brenna’s intention. Maybe there is a misunderstanding!” Natalie felt disgusted. However, she stayed indifferent and retorted, “You’re still lying. You know what? Mr. Wesley told me not to let you in. He has already seen through your tricks. Not only did you destroy your friendship with Draco, but you also smeared W Marks’ reputation. Do you think you’re still welcome here? Please go back. W Marks has nothing to do with you from now on.”
Mandy jerked her head up a little. Her eyes were full of shock. She was indeed unaware of Brenna’s call to the studio to pressure Draco.
Realizing there was no room for negotiation, Mandy put away her embarrassment and forced a smile. “There really is a misunderstanding. I’ll find Brenna and deal with it. I’ll give you an appropriate reply soon.”
Mandy got in her car and shut the door. She gripped the steering wheel tightly until she felt calm enough to drive to the Olson family’s home.
A servant heard the knock at the door. When she saw Mandy, she welcomed her warmly. “Miss Hamilton, please come in.”
Mandy went straight to the garden and looked around. “Where is Mrs. Olson?” she asked. “She’s usually lending to the flower beds at this time of day.”
