Chapter 71
Connor looked at Natalie. "Mommy, has Mr. Shane been busy these past few days? He hasn't come to see us."
Hearing this, Natalie caressed both kids on their heads. "Of course. Mr. Shane is looking after such a huge company. How can he find time to go out every day? That's enough; don't complain anymore. Eat your dinner and go to bed early."
"Sure." The kids nodded.
The next day, Natalie started work officially.
Natalie punched her card and then went to the procurement department to check the fabrics sent by the textile mills three days ago. After confirming that everything was fine, she walked to the CEO's office. Hearing a knock on the door, Shane called out without raising his head, "Come in!"
When she heard the reply, Natalie pushed open the door and went in. "Mr. Shane."
At the sound of her voice, Shane's eyes flickered and he stopped writing with the pen still in his hand. He looked at her coldly and asked, "What's the matter?"
Natalie stopped at Shane's desk, "Mr. Shane, in order to prevent other designers from misusing Project Rebirth fabrics, I want to request a separate warehouse for which only I have the key."
Other than the reason she cited, she had another reason-
-Jasmine.
Based on her understanding of Jasmine, she knew this woman would not stand by and watch the fabric being delivered while doing nothing. Jasmine would try anything to drive her out of the Thompson Group so she had to take precautions. If not, there would be dire consequences.
"Permission granted." Shane agreed without hesitation. His gaze returned to normal and he added, "In the future, for minor issues like this, you do not need to see me. Just approach Silas. He can handle things like that!"
Hearing the indifference in his tone, Natalie was surprised. She nodded. "Yes, I understand."
"You may leave. I'll get someone to bring you the key." With that, Shane dismissed her.
Feeling downcast, Natalie cast him a glance before she obediently turned around and left.
For some reason, she felt that he had become cold towards her.
Have I done something to displease him?
Natalie tilted her head to ponder but was unable to understand why, so she eventually dismissed the thought. She closed Shane's office door and returned to the design department. As soon as she sat down, her cell phone rang.
"Nat, congratulations! You've won first place in the Golden Feather Awards!" Joyce told her joyfully.
Natalie was confused. "Joyce, what are you talking about? What first place?"
"You don't know? Are you kidding?"
Natalie was unsure of how to react. "Seriously, I'm not kidding!"
Joyce seemed to understand that something was going on. She swallowed and replied, "Nat, don't tell me you did not submit an entry for the Golden Feather Awards?" Natalie grunted in reply, "That's right."
She knew that the Golden Feather Awards was one of the most authoritative fashion design competitions in the country.
From the start, she had wanted to participate but because she had had too many errands to run upon returning from overseas, she missed the registration deadline.
"There must be a mistake!" Joyce frowned. "If you didn't participate, who is this Ms. Smith who won first place?"
"Ms. Smith?" Natalie narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"That's right." Joyce nodded. "I have seen the winning design before. It was done by you. This picture is the same and it is signed by a 'Ms. Smith', so I thought it was you. I am surprised that you didn't enter the competition. Nat, did someone steal your design and pretend to be you to participate?"
Hearing this, Natalie's expression turned gloomy as the smile left her ruby red lips. "I probably know what's going on. Maybe you're right that someone has stolen my design, but she is not pretending to be me. Besides me, there is indeed another Ms. Smith."
Joyce put two and two together and realized who that person must be. "Nat, are you saying it's your elder half-sister?"
"Well, it should be her, but I have to check on the official website."
With that, Natalie put down the phone and visited the official Golden Feather Awards website. When she saw the winning design in the J City Division, her hand on the mouse stiffened.