Joyce added with a nod, “Well, it doesn’t make any sense for you to give up when you have just gotten married some time ago.”
“I’m afraid the children will be the sole victim of our strained relationship. Shane didn’t even bother to defend them when Jacqueline picked on them over a trivial matter.”
Infuriated, Joyce slammed the table and yelled, “What the heck! How dare Jacqueline pick on my godchildren? This is so irritating! I’ll get her back in the near future! What on earth is wrong with Mr. Shane? How can he neglect his biological children? Wait, it’s your fault for keeping him in the dark!”
“I had long let the cat out of the bag.”
“Huh? Have you told him he’s Sharon and Connor’s father?”
“Mmm!” Natalie nodded and said, “However, he said that was not the case because the DNA result indicated otherwise. He once did it with Connor, and the result indicated they weren’t related at all.”
“Wait! What do you mean?” Joyce was confused and spent the next few seconds gathering her thoughts. “Are you telling me they’re not biologically related? How is that possible? Haven’t you told me Mr. Shane is their father? They can’t be unrelated when Connor resembles Mr. Shane so much!”
“I can’t figure out the things going on as well.” Natalie buried her face in her hands and said, “He’s the only man I have engaged in such an intimate session with. However, the DNA result indicates otherwise. I can’t help but think if someone else was there during that particular night.”
Joyce felt awful because of the things her best friend had to go through. She asked, “Has the thought of the DNA result being messed up not cross your mind?”
Natalie shook her head and rebuked, “I ruled out the possibility of that being the case because Jackson was the one who had conducted the examination.”
It doesn’t make any sense for him to do that!
“If that’s the case, what could’ve gone wrong?” After much considerations, Joyce suggested, “Why don’t you engage another doctor’s service to conduct the examination? You need to keep others in the dark until you get your hands on the report!”
Natalie’s eyes gleamed because she thought that would be her next best course of action just to be sure.
If the outcome indicated they were biologically related, she could prove someone had been messing with the result behind the scenes.
“Alright, thanks for the wonderful suggestion!” Natalie expressed her gratitude with a bright grin.
Joyce tapped on her friend’s shoulder and asserted, “Shall we put that aside and go get ourselves something to eat?”
Natalie nodded and showed Joyce the way out.
After they finished their meal, she took a short break in her office before heading over to the hotel for the interview session.
As soon as Natalie reached the entrance, a woman who was almost her height showed up in an ostentatious outfit and stopped her. “Ms. Smith.”
“Yes?” Natalie asked after bringing herself to a halt.
She started sizing the woman up, but she couldn’t recall anything about the woman in front of her. However, that woman seemed to be well aware of her identity.
The mysterious woman ran her fingers through her hair and introduced herself with a proud grin, “Hello, I’m Jessie. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Jessie?” Natalie’s eyes widened in disbelief. Seconds after she snapped out of bewilderment, she said, “Hello, I’m Natalie!”
“I’m conscious of that much because I have long heard about you, Ms. Smith. After all, you’re considered a prodigy as well. I had always wanted to meet you when we were abroad. I can’t believe I only get to meet you in person today.”
Natalie answered with her eyes flickering, “I have always wanted to meet you in person as well. After all, I have been keeping the content of the email in mind.”
“Ms. Smith, I’m glad you’re still keeping that in mind. Since it’s about time for the once-in-a-year competition, don’t you think it’s a great venue for a showdown? I can’t wait to figure out who’s the future of the fashion industry! What do you think, Ms. Smith?” Jessie provocatively repeated herself.
Although Jessie had made her intention clear, Natalie was confused by the hostile intent she detected from her.
Why is she picking on me when I have never encountered her? Is she jealous of my achievement because we’re equally skilled?
Well, since I can’t think of anything else, I think that must be the case. I guess I’ll have to be on my guard against her in the future.
Natalie returned the favor and remarked in a sarcastic manner, “Sure! It’s a pleasure of mine, Ms. Syke! I mean, I can’t possibly turn you down when you have indicated the will to have a showdown with me ever since such ages ago, can I?”
