Chapter 66

The next morning, Natalie woke up naturally. Just as she opened her eyes, her phone rang. It was Luna.

"Luna, what’s up?" asked Natalie.

Luna replied, "Ms. Shawn, today is the regular meeting day, and I was worried you might forget. There’s been a little issue with our fashion designs lately. Carl said you should drop by the office today."

Natalie frowned and asked casually, "What’s the problem?"

Luna’s voice was cold and angry as she said, "Easton’s company has poached our design director."

Natalie was furious and thought, ‘Damn! Why does Easton always have to go against me?’

She replied, "It’s fine. I’ve been free lately. I’ll take over as the company’s design director myself. Let Carl know I’ll assume the role and ask him to keep my identity confidential."

Luna sounded delighted. "With you stepping in, that woman will definitely be humiliated. She even took our fall collection with her."

Natalie’s eyes darkened abruptly. "It’s not just the design drafts she took. It’s very likely she has company secrets. Have Carl investigate what’s going on right away. Once we know what she took, we’ll be able to respond accordingly."

Luna replied, "Understood."

Natalie hung up the phone, her eyes filled with a cold glint. She hadn’t expected Isabelle to defect to the Garcia Group. Isabelle really caught her off guard. Natalie didn’t hold a grudge against those who chose to leave for better opportunities, but this time, she was furious, all because of the abruptness of Isabelle’s departure. After all, Isabelle had not been wronged at all during her two years at Fashion Fusion.

Natalie got up and washed up, preparing to head to the office. When she came downstairs for breakfast, she was already dressed for work. Lambert and James exchanged looks of disbelief, thinking, ‘Natalie is going to work today?!’

Lambert couldn’t stop grinning at the thought of his little girl all grown up. "Natalie, the sun must be rising from the west—you’re finally going to the office."

Natalie smiled a little sheepishly. She didn’t like the backstabbing and politics of the corporate world; she preferred cooking. "Grandpa, James, I think making money is more appealing. What’s better than earning millions a month at my age?"

Right now, Natalie’s only desire was to have more money than Easton. Both James and Lambert applauded. Lambert was moved to tears and excited. "Our Natalie has grown up! Come over and eat."

Natalie walked over with a smile and sat next to James. "James, is Valerie not up yet?"

"She had something to do and left early," James replied, handing Natalie a glass of milk. "Shall I arrange for a driver to take you to the office?"

Natalie shook her head. "No need. I’ll drive myself. My company’s design director was poached. I’m taking on the role personally now. I’d like to see who dares to try again. There’s no problem I can’t overcome." She downed the milk in one go, looking quite energetic.

Seeing her so energized, James felt unexpectedly relieved. He hoped this wasn’t just a temporary burst of enthusiasm but something she would stick with.

After breakfast, Natalie drove to work. Her company was located across the street from Easton’s. The Garcia Group operated out of Shagrity’s tallest skyscraper, positioned in the city’s most prestigious and costly district. In contrast, Fashion Fusion occupied a modest five-story building. In terms of financial resources, Natalie still couldn’t quite compare to Easton.

On the top floor of the skyscraper across the street, Easton stepped out of the elevator, radiating an imposing presence that kept others at bay. His two assistants, Xavier and Ryan, followed closely behind.

Ryan stepped forward to report, "Mr. Garcia, the woman we recruited from Fashion Fusion has arrived. Her contract there has expired. And I’ve received word that Fashion Fusion’s new design director was appointed this morning."

Ryan hesitated, and Easton stopped in his tracks, his sharp gaze locking onto Ryan, and asked, "Who is it?"

Ryan shook his head. "We haven’t been able to find out who it is yet, but the company has already announced on its official website that its former design director has left, taking the fall collection designs and some internal secrets with her.

"It has quickly filed for patents and made adjustments. Then the company announced that a new design director was appointed, encouraging everyone to stay tuned."

So, Isabelle wasn’t that valuable after all. Fashion Fusion was both mysterious and capable, having made a net profit of 200 million dollars last year. In the fashion industry, it didn’t quite match the Garcia Group’s luxury labels, but it was already very stable as a small to medium-sized business.

Easton was slightly surprised. He’d never been able to find out who owned this company. Then he ordered, "Look into who Fashion Fusion’s new design director is."

Ryan nodded. "Understood, Mr. Garcia."

The office door opened to reveal a stylish woman sitting inside. She was tall with striking features, radiating confidence. When she saw Easton enter, she stood up with a bright smile, her long legs seemingly glowing in the light. As she looked at the captivating Easton, her eyes were filled with infatuation.

She said, "Mr. Garcia, hello. I’m Isabelle Marshall."

She’d been poached by the Garcia Group, with her salary now doubled. But she was aware that the pressure here would be much greater.

Easton nodded slightly and said indifferently, "Fashion Fusion has already known about the business secrets you obtained. Apart from the design drafts, the rest of the information is useless. Go report to the fashion design department on the twelfth floor."

Isabelle was momentarily stunned, thinking, ‘So, he’s seen the update on Fashion Fusion’s official website too. They moved fast—I just left, and they’ve already found someone to take my place.

Curious about the new design director, she had already asked a friend in Fashion Fusion’s design department, and they sent her a photo.

"Mr. Garcia, this is the new design director. Could you help me look into her?" asked Isabelle, showing the photo to Easton.

When Easton saw the photo, he frowned in surprise and then fixed his eyes on Isabelle. "Are you sure it’s her?"

Xavier and Ryan, who had also seen the photo, were equally shocked to discover it was Natalie.

Isabelle replied, "Yes, she’s the new design director who started today—Natalie Shawn."

Easton narrowed his eyes as he wondered, ‘Natalie has expertise in fashion design?’

Xavier was astonished. "That’s impossible!"

Isabelle was puzzled by their stunned reactions and asked, "Xavier, do you know her?"

Isabelle had assumed that after she left, Fashion Fusion would lose its core strength. She hadn’t expected that she was only a replaceable figure and that within minutes of her departure, a new design director had already been found.

Xavier glanced at Easton but dared not speak. Easton’s presence was chilly and intimidating, making the three of them feel like they couldn’t breathe. Since Xavier said nothing, Isabelle didn’t press further.

Easton instructed, "Xavier, take Ms. Marshall to the HR department to complete her onboarding process."

Xavier said respectfully, "Ms. Marshall, this way, please."

Isabelle glanced at the cold, handsome Easton before leaving reluctantly. Her goal was to get close to him, which was why she had switched companies without hesitation.

Easton sat in his swivel chair, his expression dark. He thought, ‘Since leaving me, Natalie has been on such a roll that I can barely recognize her anymore. She is fluent in Ardonian, skilled in fashion design, and knowledgeable in medicine—what else is she capable of?’