Chapter 757
“Who is this?” Clyde gave Brandon a confused look as if he didn’t actually know him.
Walking up to Brandon, Natalie intimately clung her arm around Brandon’s and introduced him to Clyde. “This is my husband, Brandon Larson.”
Then, with her usual grace, she introduced Clyde to Brandon. “This is Clyde Lambert, the artist who photographed Hannah.”
Brandon looked at Clyde and smiled provocatively. “I know.”
Natalie gazed up at him in surprise. “You know Mr. Lambert?”
Brandon glanced at Natalie and immediately, his smile turned fond. “I remember all the men who try to get close to you.”
Natalie’s face heated up all of a sudden. She gave Brandon a gentle punch and pouted, “What are you talking about?”
The scene before him was too sweet that Clyde clenched his teeth as jealousy engulfed him.
What an arrogant man Brandon was! How could the man just show up when Natalie and he were still dating!
He endured his displeasure, reeled it in, and calmly stood up before extending a hand to Brandon. He flashed a smile. “Hello, Mr. Larson. I’ve heard so much about you.”
For a few seconds, Brandon simply stared at Clyde coldly. Finally, he shook hands with him and smiled indifferently. “Hello, Mr. Lambert.”
The two of them just held each other’s hands, looking square into each other’s eyes with fake smiles plastered on their lips.
It didn’t take Natalie long to sense that something was wrong.
With a provocative smile, Clyde said, “Mr. Larson, you seem to be worried about me staying with Mrs. Larson. I was merely discussing the designs of Hannah’s clothes with her. You can rest assured.”
In his eyes, Brandon was just a businessman who knew nothing about art and design.
He thought that Brandon didn’t understand Natalie’s work and that was why Brandon was so hostile to him.
But then, Brandon raised his eyebrows and asked, “Is that so? Are you talking about Hannah’s clothes?”
He withdrew his hand and sat down next to Natalie. An arrogant smile appeared on his lips. “Mr. Lambert, what a coincidence. I happen to be the real client of this order. Perhaps you should discuss the design of this apparel with me,” he said casually but with a hint of taunting.
Clyde frowned, feeling surprised. This was unexpected.
He had not known that. Brandon had kept this information secret. The only thing the public knew was that a mysterious rich man had entrusted Natalie to design clothes, but no one knew it was Brandon.
In this way, Clyde had no reason to send Brandon out.
Clyde’s anger was obvious on his face now.
He pursed his lips, holding on to the last bit of patience he had. It was a losing battle. His face darkened.
He had formulated an extensive plan to get Natalie alone so he would have a chance to win her heart.
But in the end, Brandon trampled on it like trash on the ground.
Clyde was more convinced now that Brandon was only a barbarian who knew nothing but business. Someone as disrespectful as him did not deserve Natalie. Natalie didn’t mind at all. Besides, she thought that as the client, Brandon had the right to discuss the promotion plan with them.
Clyde tucked his anger inside him, smiling his usual elegant smile as he returned to his seat.
The three of them talked about the publicity.
“Public exposure is indeed important to a successful independent designer, I believe,” Clyde said, analyzing the matter logically. “I will reveal your identity on social media platforms at some point and arrange an exclusive interview with you. What do you think?”
Natalie scrunched her face, looking skeptical. “Isn’t it too much?”
Clyde smiled reassuringly. “You deserve this kind of publicity. It’s just right.”
Natalie’s frown persisted. She couldn’t decide what to do.
“I don’t think so.”
Brandon’s voice cut Natalie’s failed attempt to refuse before she could even say it.
Clyde’s frown deepened, betraying his displeasure as he turned to Brandon. “Well, does Mr. Larson have any more enlightening suggestions?” he inquired.
With his arms crossed, Brandon elevated his chin and uttered in a hushed tone, “The essence of fashion design lies within the creation, not the creator. A designer’s allure to clients hinges on their prowess. Natalie possesses that skill. She doesn’t require excessive self-promotion.”
The retort came swiftly. “It’s called establishing a personal brand, Mr. Larson. Haven’t you grasped that yet?”
Dismissing the comment with an indifferent glance, Brandon countered, “Natalie’s lineage is evident to all. Exaggerating her self-promotion will only divert public attention towards her background, overshadowing her talents and inciting scrutiny.”
With a sneer, Clyde challenged, “I believe Miss White can disperse any negative rumors with her abilities. As her husband, don’t you trust her strength?”
His words were a transparent attempt to drive a wedge between the couple.
A fierce glint flashed in Brandon’s eyes, barely masking the simmering anger. “Natalie is my wife. I comprehend her nature better than you could, and I’m more devoted to protecting her than you are.”
Defiant, Clyde locked gazes with Brandon. “Then Mr. Larson should also have faith in Miss White.”
Desiring to end the dispute, Brandon’s eyes softened as they met Natalie’s. “Natalie, the decision is yours.”
Eagerly, Clyde awaited her verdict.
Furrowing her brow, Natalie lapsed into deep contemplation.
Moments later, she offered an apologetic smile to Clyde. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lambert, but I concur that it’s best not to be overly ostentatious,” she conceded.
His disappointment palpable, Clyde argued, “Given Miss White’s capabilities, it’s hardly ostentatious.”
Natalie elucidated, “While I do become an independent designer, my personal studio is a recent endeavor. I’m essentially a novice in the industry. That’s why I prefer not to be too flamboyant. My current goal is to establish a solid reputation for my designs and introduce them to the public in a sensible manner.”
Clyde remained silent, though his disappointment lingered.
He nodded reluctantly. “Then let’s proceed with your approach, Miss White.”
After hashing out the promotion plan’s particulars, Clyde, unable to stomach the couple’s affectionate exchanges any longer, excused himself.
As he departed, Brandon arched an eyebrow and flashed a provocative grin. Clyde’s fists clenched in fury.
On the way home, Natalie recalled the earlier tension and teased, “You were jealous, weren’t you?”
With a nonchalant shrug, Brandon replied, “Why would I envy a man who pales in comparison to me on all fronts?”
“Conceited,” Natalie chuckled.
Gazing out the window, she suddenly felt disoriented by the unfamiliar landscape. Puzzled, she inquired, “This isn’t the route home. Where are we headed?”
With a cryptic smile, Brandon assured her, “You’ll discover our destination soon enough.”
Moments later, the car eased to a stop in front of an elegantly adorned boutique.
Surprised, Natalie exclaimed, “Isn’t this the store we visited earlier? How did they complete the renovations so swiftly?”
First to exit the vehicle, Brandon chivalrously opened the door for Natalie. “Come, let’s take a closer look.”
Her heart swelled with affection.
She hadn’t anticipated that Brandon would go to such lengths to orchestrate her dream studio.
Entering hand in hand, Natalie marveled at the interior.
The decor mirrored her vision perfectly, and even the receptionist and assistanthad been meticulously selected by Brandon.
Tears brimmed in Natalie’s eyes as she choked out, “When did you find the time to transform this vast space?”
Tenderly wiping her tears, Brandon confessed, “I began preparations the day we chose a name for your atelier.”
The more she explored the studio, the more t*ouched Natalie felt.
Brandon had everything prepared for her, as it turned out. He was keen to arrange even the smallest details.
“Thank you, Brandon.” Natalie looked at him sincerely as she thanked him from the bottom of her heart.
Brandon affectionately pinched the tip of her nose. “Silly girl, I’m your husband, you don’t have to thank me. It’s my duty.”
Once again, she scanned the studio, silently calculating how much the rent would cost for a month and how many orders it would take to get back the money invested. Natalie’s anxiety increased the more she thought about it.
This shop was luxuriously decorated and not to mention was located in the center of the city, so the rent must be expensive. As a new independent designer, would she be able to pay the rent?
