Chapter 3 Rewards

How could Nathaniel do this?

The Rivers Group I was supposed to work with is Nathaniel's company.

He knew perfectly well how hard it was for me to convince Knox to agree to work with me and teach me embroidery.

He knew that this collaboration with the Rivers Group could happen because of this design concept.

But he just gave this opportunity to Ruby instead.

I remember Ruby went abroad to study business and trade.

Ruby acted like she just noticed me and came over to greet me.

"Seraphina, are you here to see Mr. Pemberton too? Are you also here to ask him to be your teacher? Sorry, but you seem to be too late. Mr. Pemberton has already agreed to take me as his student. Thanks to Nathaniel for this, otherwise I really couldn't have convinced Mr. Pemberton. After all, he already said I'm the last student he'll ever take."

Ruby said it all so innocently.

But it felt more like a provocation.

A sour feeling spread through my chest.

I looked at Nathaniel, waiting for his response.

Nathaniel glared at Ruby, "This is a rare opportunity. If you mess around and waste such a good chance, don't blame me for not helping you anymore."

"I know, I know. With such a great teacher, I'll definitely take it seriously." Ruby playfully stuck her tongue out at Nathaniel.

Intimate and bold.

After giving his instructions, Nathaniel was about to take me away.

He naturally came over and put his arm around my shoulder, "Whatever you want to say, let's talk in the car."

He knew why I came to find Knox. Now that the opportunity to study with Knox was gone, there really was no reason for me to stay.

After all, it was to show Nathaniel some respect.

And probably also to maintain some dignity for myself.

I didn't struggle and left with Nathaniel.

In the car.

I immediately pulled away from Nathaniel.

Nathaniel chuckled, "Still angry?"

"You knew I'd be angry, so why did you give the opportunity to Ruby?" The anger I'd been holding back in my chest finally broke free, and I said this furiously.

Probably not expecting me to get this angry, Nathaniel was clearly stunned for a moment.

Then he moved closer and took my hand, "I thought it was just a learning opportunity. Ruby asked me for help, and I didn't want to upset her, so I agreed."

So you decided to wrong me instead?

I said unhappily, "Just a learning opportunity? Do you know that I signed a contract with the Rivers Group? This counts as breaking the contract, and my studio might face huge compensation."

A company like the Rivers Group has the best legal team. If it goes to court, I'll definitely lose.

Nathaniel laughed, couldn't help but tap my nose, "Is that all? Have you forgotten that you're the lady of the Rivers Group? You just need to say the word, and a contract can be handled."

"A lady with no real power that nobody knows about. Besides, this will affect my studio."

I laughed sarcastically.

Back then, our wedding was very low-key, so low-key that only a handful of people attended. Basically no one knew that Nathaniel's wife was me.

He married me following his family's arrangement.

He agreed, but on the condition that we keep the marriage secret.

I liked him, and being able to marry him already felt like a huge surprise falling into my lap. How could I ask for more? Of course I agreed.

And I never felt wronged about it.

But now, watching him so openly use his status to pave the way for Ruby, making even Knox agree to take her as a student.

I felt like a mouse that couldn't see the light, overjoyed just from stealing a piece of cheese.

I was like a joke.

"So that's what you care about. What do you want? To announce that you're the lady of the Rivers Group?"

Nathaniel just looked at me like that.

As if trying to see through my soul.

Was this a test? Or was he really planning to make our relationship public?

My heart was racing.

For a moment, I wanted to go along with what he said and agree to go public.

But I also knew that once my identity as his wife was made public, I would be completely tied to him forever.

It was something I once longed for, but now I found myself strangely hesitant.

I looked up at him and replied seriously, "You remember we signed a prenup, right? Since you want to give me rights, how about we revise the prenup?"

After saying this, I was actually shocked by my own sudden boldness.

But then I thought, I'm the one who deserves compensation.

Why can't I make my own demands?

The original prenup was something I proposed to show the purity of my feelings for him.

For a shrewd businessman, I thought Nathaniel would at least hesitate, or even think I was greedy.

Unexpectedly, Nathaniel agreed right away, "Sure, I'll have my assistant draft a new agreement and give it to you tomorrow."

"Okay."

I nodded, then brought up another topic, "The collaboration between the Rivers Group and my studio will continue?"

Maybe because of my personality, I always like to overthink things.

I was worried I wouldn't be able to win over Knox initially, so I had a backup plan, which I had added as a clause in the contract.

I didn't even explain this to Nathaniel, but he directly called the project manager who signed the contract with me, right in front of me, to continue our collaboration.

"Feel better now?"

Nathaniel pulled me into his arms.

This time, I didn't refuse his closeness and nodded gently.

The discomfort I had felt in my heart disappeared.

My hand unconsciously touched my belly, thinking about when to tell him the surprise about the pregnancy.

His breath suddenly became hot against my neck, his voice low and husky, "So how are you going to reward me?"

I thought of the baby in my belly and had a plan, "The reward will come naturally."

Nathaniel's lips accidentally touched my earlobe, stirring ripples in my heart, "That outfit from last time, as a reward, how about it?"

Thinking of that sexy nightgown, my ears turned burning red. I pushed him a bit, "Stop it, we're still outside!"

"Okay, then let's talk about it at home!"

I fell silent.

I didn't dare agree to that.

With a baby in my belly now, if I really put on that dress, Nathaniel, who was already wild and intense in bed, who knows what would happen.

......

I felt relieved too soon about the collaboration with the Rivers Group.

The very next day, when I arrived at the Rivers Group to sign the new contract.

The project manager I was dealing with suddenly received a phone call and changed his tune.

"Ms. Wells, sorry, we can let go of your breach of contract, but as for the new collaboration, let's forget about it this time."

I looked at him in disbelief as he said this, "Why? Who just called you and told you to do this?"

Could it be Nathaniel?

Was he playing games with me?

The manager said apologetically, "Ms. Wells, I'm sorry, this is all arranged by upper management. Maybe we can work together in the future."

"I don't accept that. Tell me who required this, and I'll go find them right now!"

The manager looked at me awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

"Of course it's because someone else has been chosen as the partner for this design project."

Suddenly, a smug female voice came from outside the door.

As the voice sounded, the clicking of high heels grew closer and closer.