Chapter 11 Making an Appointment With Gardner Corporation’s President
Nicole curled her lips into a smile while stroking Hayden’s soft hair in gratification. She didn’t really take offense to Joseph’s words. After all, although she had slept with Joseph that night, she had never thought of becoming a couple with him. “I’m not angry. I’m content with having you.” It’s just that I’ve come for nothing today. I’ve thought that Joseph is only an ignorant and incompetent playboy, but I didn’t expect this playboy to also be a narrow-minded good-for-nothing. She quickly left the mall with Hayden in her arms.
Meanwhile, Queenie was talking and joking with several young ladies nearby as they came shopping here. When she saw Nicole, she had wanted to walk up to her and taunt her a little. However, upon seeing the features of the kid in Nicole’s arms, she was completely stunned. That boy looks just like the miniature version of Colton! He seems to be about four or five years old, which happens to match up with what happened five years ago… C-Could he be Nicole and Colton’s son?!
For a moment, Queenie froze on the spot, as though she had been struck by a thunderbolt. Colton will definitely get suspicious if he sees that boy. If he continues to look into it, will he find out what actually happened five years ago? Once he learns about everything, not only will the Andersons lose the great wealth and glory that we’re currently enjoying, but we’ll be offending the Gardner Family thoroughly! No one dares to fool Colton like this… She couldn’t help trembling at the thought of how harsh Colton could be.
“Queenie? Queenie!”
“Huh?” Queenie came to her senses, only to see her friend next to her looking at her with concern. The friend asked, “Are you alright? You look so ghastly.”
“I-I’m fine.” Queenie pulled herself together. By the time she turned to look at Nicole again, the latter had gotten into her car with the boy and left.
Queenie’s expression was ferocious as she watched the car drive off into the distance. To think that Nicole, that damn b*tch, was secretly pregnant with Colton’s child and even gave birth to the boy! No one knows what happened five years ago except Dad, Mom, and I. The matter’s supposed to be over, but now there’s a boy popping up from nowhere! I’d never let Nicole destroy everything I have now—never!
…
After returning home with Hayden in her arms, Nicole thought back on what had happened, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt that something was amiss. Why would both Queenie and Joseph not believe that I’m Lisa? Not only that, but they both think that Lisa is a middle-aged woman in her forties! After turning it over in her mind, she figured that this could only be Zachary’s doing.
Zachary Yates was the president of F&M Apparel. Having assumed the position at a young age, he was a man with extraordinary means, only that he had bad taste. Nicole had no idea what had gotten into him, but three years ago, he fell in love with her at first sight and began courting her aggressively, disregarding the fact that she already had a child. Nicole rejected his advances in an uncompromising manner without giving him the slightest opportunity, but the more steadfast she was in turning him down, the more aggressively he courted her.
At the thought of Zachary, a hint of helplessness crept over Nicole’s face. She took out her cell phone and dialed his number.
“Hi, babe! Why do you have time to call me today? Is it because you miss me?”
Nicole summoned up her patience as she listened to Zachary’s voice, which sounded like he needed a spanking. She asked, “Why are there rumors going around that I’m a middle-aged woman in my forties? Is that your doing?”
Zachary’s voice took on a hint of puzzlement. “Are there such rumors? How come I don’t know about them?”
Nicole gnashed her teeth in anger. “Who else could have spread the rumors if it weren’t you? Now no one believes me whenever I go around telling people that I’m Lisa!”
Upon hearing Nicole’s furious voice, Zachary pretended as though he had finally remembered what had happened. “Ah!” he exclaimed softly. “I forgot about it. It was probably because those in the country were asking about you two years ago. Well, you’re F&M Apparel’s Chief Designer, and I was worried that you might get headhunted, so I came up with that dumb idea,” he explained nonchalantly.
Nicole shot back, “Do you know how much your dumb idea is hurting me? People come to me, asking if I could work with them, but they don’t believe me when I say I’m Lisa!” She was boiling with anger. No wonder Joseph and Queenie don’t believe that I’m Lisa. Turns out Zachary was the one spreading the rumors!
Noticing how more and more agitated Nicole sounded, Zachary hurriedly reassured her, saying, “No matter whether they believe it or not, you’re F&M Apparel’s one and only Chief Designer. I’ll personally testify for you at F&M Apparel’s annual dinner a week later, okay?”
Nicole rolled her eyes. It wasn’t like she cared much about her status as Chief Designer; it was just that she was angry because they wrote her off as an impersonator. “Don’t spread the rumors around anymore. Otherwise, you’re gonna screw up your own company’s business,” she muttered. Even if she did end up striking a business deal with the Mann Family, the deal wouldn’t be worth more than scraps to F&M Apparel. Still, she couldn’t help getting furious when she heard Joseph speaking of her and her son like that.
“Okay, okay. Whatever you say is right, Miss Anderson.” Zachary laughed in a deep and attractive voice.
Nicole asked, “By the way, are we supposed to close the deal with Gardner Corporation before the turn of the year?” She recalled what she was supposed to do. Her life had been in a mess since she returned to the country several days ago. Firstly, there was Colton, because of whom she then ran into Queenie. And lastly, there was the incident with Joseph… She was so tied up by these matters that she had almost forgotten the real purpose she had returned to the country.
Upon speaking of work-related matters, Zachary finally began to sound more serious. “There’s no need to be in such a hurry. Our collaboration with the Gardner Family this time will begin after the turn of the year, and the Gardners are invited to the annual dinner. Still, you can visit Gardner Corporation tomorrow to take a look first.”
Nicole pondered for a moment. Indeed, I need to go to Gardner Corporation to meet with the person in charge before the collaboration. Otherwise, with little to no knowledge of the company, I might not be able to come up with satisfactory clothing designs. “Okay then, help me make an appointment with Gardner Corporation’s president tomorrow. I’ll be going to take a look.”
