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


    "Luna, what''s up?"


    "Miss, it''s the day of our regr meeting. I was afraid you''d forgotten. There''s a problem with our fashion design division. Keith said you need toe into the office today."


    Natalie frowned, stretching slowly. "What kind of problem?"


    Luna''s voice was cold with anger. "Our design director, Ms. Young, was poached. And thepany that poached her was Sebastian''s."


    Natalie froze. Damn it. Why did Sebastian have to oppose her in everything?


    "It''s fine," she said, her voice calm. "I happen to have some free time. I''ll personally take over as design director. Tell Keith to put my name on the roster, but don''t reveal my identity."


    Luna''s spirits lifted. "Miss, with you in charge, Ms. Young will be utterly humiliated. She also took the new designs for the fall collection with her."


    Natalie''s gaze sharpened. "She took more than just the designs. It''s likely she tookpany secrets. Have Keith investigate immediately. We need to know exactly what she took so we can formte a response. And we need to be fast." "Right away, Miss."


    Natalie hung up, her eyes glinting with a cold light. Verna Young had jumped ship to the Griffith Group. She hadn''t seen thating. This woman had really blindsided her. She didn''t normally hold a grudge against people she couldn''t keep, but this sudden departure infuriated her. Q&N Collective had treated her well these past two years.


    She got up and started getting ready for the office.


    When she came downstairs for breakfast, she was already dressed for work. Her grandfather and Wayne exchanged a look of disbelief. Was Natalie really going to the office?


    Her grandfather''s face broke into a wide grin. His girl was finally growing up. "Sweetheart, has the sun risen in the west? You''re finally going to thepany!"


    Natalie smiled sheepishly. She


    wasn''t a fan of corporate


    backstabbing; she much preferred cooking "Grandpa Wayne I''ve decided prefer money What''s not to love about earning millions a month at my age?" Her new life goal was simple: make more money than Sebastian.


    Wayne and her grandfather apuded. Tears of joy welled up in the old man''s


    eyes. "Natty''s all grown up! Come, eat your breakfast."


    Natalie smiled and sat down next to Wayne. "Is Queena not up yet?"


    "Oh, she had something to do. She left early this morning." Wayne handed her a


    ss of milk. "Should I have the driver take you?"


    Natalie shook her head. "No, I''ll drive


    myself. My design director was poached, so I''m taking over the position myself. Let''s see who dares to try and poach me. Hmph. There''s no challenge I can''t ovee." She downed the milk in one go, looking every bit the conquering hero.


    Seeing her so energized, Wayne felt a sense of relief. He hoped this wasn''t just a


    passing phase but asting change.


    After breakfast, Natalie drove herself to the office. Herpany was located directly across the street from Sebastian''s. His was a


    towering skyscraper the


    city''s


    most expensivemercial district. Hers was a modest five-story


    building. In terms of financial power, she was still no match for him.


    ...


    Ding.


    On the top floor of the skyscraper opposite, Sebastian strode out of the elevator,


    his imposing aura keeping everyone at a distance. His two assistants, Sean and Boris, followed closely behind him.


    Boris stepped forward to give his report. "Sir, the design director from Q&N Collective has arrived. Her contract with them had expired. And I''ve received word that Q&N Collective appointed a new design director this morning."