Sebastian was usuallyposed, but looking at her now, the corners of his lips lifted slightly.


    It wasn''t a beaming smile, but a gentle and reserved one.


    "Don''t forget that for the three years you''re under contract with ourpany, all your design work and fashion styles belong to us. You''ve already finished the designs for Matthew, so shouldn''t you start preparing our spring collection?"


    He had indeede to see her.


    But it was also about work. Thest time she met with Matthew, it was to give him the designs for his new line.


    Natalie had almost forgotten about that. The damn contract was in ck and white.


    She was furious, her bright eyes burning with anger.


    Looking at the mature and poised Sebastian across from her, it felt as if he had herpletely under his thumb, and she hated it.


    "Mr. Griffith, you tricked me. If you hadn''t poached my design director, I wouldn''t be stuck here. I could have been livingfortably at home, doing nothing.”


    To avoid any friction with Joanna, she had been keeping a low profile, deliberately avoiding the spotlight.


    "Natalie, everyone''s trying to climb thedder." His smile had a hint of boldness, making him even more captivating.


    Natalie knew that people always aimed higher.


    But Sebastian had gone too far, even trapping her with the contract.


    "I get it. I''ll have the new designs for you before the end of the year. I''m participating


    in a designpetition in a few days, so I''ll give them to you before then.”


    She was feeling inspired, and she was genuinely busytely.


    Sebastian was relieved to see her agree. "Good. Your designs have been selling very well. I''ve already appointed you as thepany''s Design Director. From now on, the fashion department won''t have another director-just you."


    Natalie shook her head. "No, that won''t work. I''m the director at thispany now. I can''t be the director at yourpany too. Find someone else. I''ll provide you with designs for three years, as agreed."


    Any otherpany would have sued her by now.


    The one good thing was that she could design in various styles.


    Sebastian''s eyes lowered in thought. The designer he had been searching for all those years ago was Natalie.


    But he''d had her right beside him and let her slip away.


    "We''ll talk about it again in three years."


    There were still three years left. They had plenty of time.


    His smile was calm, free of arrogance or impatience, possessing a steady strength that put people at ease. The slight curve of his tips was like a warm sun in winter, capable of dispelling the gloom in one''s heart.


    Natalie was a bit surprised. How could Sebastian make her feel this way?


    Sebastian had other matters to


    attend to. He sat for a little while With a


    tonger before Sean arrived wit small cake that Natalie liked."


    Sebastian gave the cake to Natalie before leaving for the office.


    Natalie just stared at the small cake.


    How strange. Sebastian had bought her a cake.


    It was even her favorite vor, chocte cream cake. He must have noticed the


    brand she liked when they were at the hotel.


    But why did she have no desire to eat it?


    Natalie didn''t touch it. She sat for a moment longer before getting back to work.


    ***


    Joanna waited dejectedly outside Sebastian''spany building for his return. Soon, she saw him arrive.


    He wore a ck overcoat, his posture ramrod straight. Against the backdrop of the swirling snow, he seemed to stand out even more.


    Sebastian was exceptional, with a unique presence. If his personality


    hen''t so cold his pet


    she really would have fallen in love with him. >


    MS


    This man had onceid the best things in the world at her feet.


    And him...?


    Joanna didn''t dare to make theparison. The moment she did, all that was left was heartache.


    Her rtionship with that other man was just like Sebastian''s devotion to her.


    That person was blind to all she did for him.