Chapter 163: The luncheon with an old client

Words : 1156 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

Nathaniel brought Zara into an upscale restaurant and guided her directly to a private room he had reserved. Not long after, a man arrived with his wife.Rising to his feet, Nathaniel greeted them warmly. "Mr. Corby," he said, shaking his hand. "Good to see you, Mrs. Corby." Zara remained at his side, her eyes fixed on the man. Memories from the past stirred within her, rushing back unbidden as she studied him. The man stood tall with a composed air; his presence was such that he could immediately command attention. A pair of thin-rimmed glasses rested neatly on the sharp bridge of his nose. He seemed to be in his forties. The sheen of his bald head catching the light above was what made Zara’s eyes narrow in recognition. In a blink, her mind raced back to the past. She had seen this very man once before at Nathaniel’s office during her first visit. A quiet realization settled over her. ’So, they’ve been working together all along.’ That explained why Nathaniel had wanted her to join him—this man wasn’t just another business associate; he was someone important to Nathaniel. And the woman – Nathaniel was right. She was elegant, polished, and undeniably striking. The sleek lines of her designer dress, the flawless finish of her makeup, the soft cascade of curls perfectly arranged to frame her face – every detail about her appearance spoke of refinement. Even for a simple business luncheon, she had clearly visited the parlor for a full makeover. Zara’s eyes instinctively dropped to her own attire—a gray skirt and a blue blouse she had worn countless times before. She thought it was comfortable, but now, it looked too plain. She smoothed her skirt with her palm, self-conscious. Her confidence wavered in front of the woman’s elegance. She regretted not changing her dress before coming here. "This is my wife, Zara..." Nathaniel said, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. Zara forced a polite smile. "Hello." "So, this is your wife," Mr. Corby remarked. "You’ve been keeping her hidden—never once bringing her to a gathering. I used to wonder why. Now I understand. She is a natural beauty, unadulterated, unlike those who spend endless hours in salons." He cast a playful look at his own wife, earning himself a sharp glare in return. "Are you criticizing me?" she retorted. "How could I? I was only praising the lady." His attention shifted back to Zara as he extended his hand. "A pleasure to meet you." Zara accepted the handshake gracefully. "Thank you." But Nathaniel quickly stepped in, gently freeing her hand from the man’s grasp. He couldn’t explain the unease curling inside him, even though it had been nothing more than courtesy. Masking his reaction with a polite smile, he said, "Please, have a seat." They all settled into their chairs. "I admit, I never brought Zara to those parties," Nathaniel began. "She has always been occupied with looking after our son. But from now on, you will see her by my side at those parties." He cast a glance at Zara, offering her a reassuring smile as though he was making a silent promise. Zara couldn’t stop her heart from skipping a beat. Her emotions swirled in a rush she could barely contain. For years, she had carried the silent ache of being hidden in the shadows, watching him attend parties and events without her, as if her place by his side didn’t exist. In those lonely nights, she had often wondered if he truly saw her as his wife in every sense. But his sudden declaration caught her off guard, leaving her reeling from disbelief. It felt surreal. He was finally giving her a place in his world, she thought she would never have. "Besides, Zara is also shifting her focus back to her career as a designer," Nathaniel added, his fingers threading through hers. "Attending gatherings like these will open new doors for her as well." "Oh, a designer?" Mrs. Corby’s brows lifted with sudden interest. "I had no idea you were working in that field. Share your boutique’s address with me—I’d love to see your collections. I can even recommend you to my circle of friends." Zara glanced at Nathaniel, remembering his earlier words, then turned back to Mrs. Corby with a smile. "Of course. You are always welcome to my boutique." She slipped a business card into the woman’s hand. "Just call me before you come." Mrs. Corby tucked the card into her bag with a casual air. "I usually prefer branded clothing," she remarked, her tone edged with arrogance. "But I do appreciate custom-made pieces. Having someone like you design for me could be... convenient." The subtle jab of sarcasm in her words stung Zara, but Mrs. Corby adjusted her tone quickly, masking it with feigned warmth. "What I mean is—you will be a great designer soon. It would be an honor to wear one of your creations." Zara held back her words and simply offered a polite smile. For the sake of Nathaniel’s business ties with Mr. Corby, she chose to endure the slight in silence. When she glanced at Nathaniel, she saw him fully engaged in conversation with the man. "About this project," Nathaniel said, "I am quite confident about it. This will make things easier." He leaned forward as he explained. "The AI system we are developing isn’t just another automation tool. It’s designed to understand human behavior and adapt accordingly. Imagine the convenience for businesses—more accurate and more efficient..." Zara watched him quietly, not listening to what Mrs. Corby was saying. Her entire focus was on her husband. She had always known Nathaniel was serious when it came to work. But it was the first time she had seen him in action, up close, negotiating, persuading, commanding. It was like glimpsing a side of him she had never truly known. The sharp intellect behind his calm exterior, the conviction with which he spoke, the authority in his voice—all of it stirred a deep, unexpected awe in her. She felt as though she were seeing him with new eyes. "See this ring?" Mrs. Corby lifted her hand toward Zara, displaying the ruby gleaming on her finger, demanding her attention. "I picked it up at an antique auction. I enjoy collecting rare jewelry pieces. You should attend events like these—it’s the best way to connect with people in elite circles. Don’t just keep yourself tucked away at home." Zara offered a faint smile and nodded. "This weekend, there is a kitty party at a friend’s place," the woman went on. "Why don’t you come along? I’ll introduce you to my circle." "Thank you... I’ll think about it." "When my secretary mentioned you, I was intrigued." Mr. Corby’s voice drew Zara’s attention. "But I also heard you were considering a collaboration with Mr. Gibson. Why did you suddenly drop the plan?"

Chapter 163: The luncheon with an old client

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