Chapter 129

Natalie was taken aback that Shane was leaving so soon. “You’re leaving already? Aren’t you going to
come in and sit for a bit?”

“No. I see that you have a friend with you already.” Shane’s brows furrowed when he noticed how Joyce
kept staring at him.

Knowing he did not like to be around strangers, Natalie reluctantly nodded. “Alright then. Be careful on
your way back.”

“Okay,” was his only response before he turned to leave.

Joyce watched him go. Once he was out of sight, she complained, “Oh my god, they’re just so similar!
Nat, why didn’t you ever tell me that he looks just like Connor!”

Natalie shrugged and replied, “I thought there wasn’t any point since you two would never meet.”

“That’s a good point.” Joyce rubbed her chin thoughtfully before something seemed to occur to her. Her
voice was urgent as she asked, “Nat, you don’t think he’s Connor and Sharon’s – “

Predicting what she was about to say, Natalie’s eyes flashed before she hurriedly interrupted, “No! I
already told you that their father is an old man in his fifties.”

Joyce, who had been getting worked up at the prospect, instantly deflated at Natalie’s words. She sighed
regretfully and lamented, “But they seriously resemble each other so much! How could they not be
related?”

Natalie chuckled nervously before quickly changing the subject. “Alright, that’s enough about this. Where
are the kids?”

“They were playing games earlier and only just fell asleep.”



“I’ll go check on them.” Natalie changed into a pair of house slippers then padded into the apartment.

Joyce shut the door behind them and followed her inside.

Natalie stared down at her sound asleep children, her eyes filled with warmth and love. “Joyce, thanks
for looking after them.”

“Don’t mention it.” Joyce waved her hand to brush off her thanks.

Gently closing the children’s room door, Natalie asked, “Wanna drink?”

“Sure!” Joyce’s eyes lit up at the idea.

Thus, Natalie headed into the kitchen and pulled out two cans of beer. She tossed one at her best friend.

Joyce caught it with both hands and instantly popped it open. She took a deep gulp and smacked her
lips. “Ahh, that hits the spot!”

Laughing at her friend’s antics, Natalie drank from her own can. Then, she asked about how things were
going at the studio.

Ever since she started working at Thompson Group, she had not stepped foot in the studio again. That
was why she knew absolutely nothing about what was going on there.

Joyce was the one who managed everything there now.

Upon hearing that question, Joyce stopped drinking as a solemn expression appeared on her face.

Natalie noticed it and put down her beer. “Did something happen?”

Joyce ran her fingers through her hair before answering, “It’s not something really serious. It’s just that a
studio much bigger than ours has been causing a lot of trouble for us lately.”



“Why?” Natalie frowned.

“I guess they’re jealous of us!” The can in Joyce’s hand crumpled as her fingers clenched tightly, fury
blazing through her. “You’re always coming up with new designs, so we’re able to constantly launch new
clothing lines and at a relatively fast rate. They sent someone over in hopes of poaching you.”

“Oh?” Natalie raised an eyebrow.

Joyce scowled and continued, “You’re one of my studio’s boss and also our chief designer; I would be a
fool to agree to them! So now they’re deliberately going against us. They even ruined our collaboration
with one of the clothing factories! Not only that, but they’re also even plagiarizing our designs!”

“What’s the name of that studio? Who owns it?” Natalie questioned while pressing her lips into a thin line.

Finishing off her beer, Joyce set the crumpled can down and replied, “The studio is called Jasminum. I
have no idea who the boss is. It’s a mystery.”

After some thought, Natalie suggested, “I’ll have Connor look into them later.”

Even though using such tactics was quite despicable, she absolutely hated it when she did not know who
her enemy was. Hidden in the shadows, it was easy for the enemy to have the advantage.

“Okay. Let me know what you find out.” With that said, Joyce got to her feet.

Natalie knew the other woman was preparing to leave so she nodded in agreement.

That night, Natalie told Connor everything after he woke up from his nap.

It was not hard for him to find out who the boss was.

When Natalie saw who it was, she was delighted.



It was none other than Jasmine!


62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda