The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband

Even if she truly detested Natalie, she’d compete honorably through her designs, not with underhanded tactics.

Momentarily entranced by her resolve, Draco soon regained his composure, regarded Mandy calmly, ands replied fiatly, “You’ve misunderstood, Miss Hamilton. Your character is none of my concern.”

Tears brimming, Mandy’s voice quivered. “What do you mean it’s not your concern? Am I that insignificant to you, Draco?”

Unmoved by her distress, Draco remained poised, his tone polite but distant.

“Miss Hamilton, we have no real connection. At most, we’re merely peers in the design industry.”

His words shattered Mandy’s heart, the pain so suffocating that she struggled to breathe.

Biting her lip, Mandy’s eyes reddened. Her tears threatened to spill.

Knowing Draco already harbored a strong dislike for her, she didn’t want to prolong the scene by crying in front of the man she admired. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to walk away either.

She didn’t want Draco to misunderstand her, despite her disheveled state.

And so, they stood in a silent standoff near the restroom door, neither one yielding.

At last, Draco’s heart softened, and he sighed. “Miss Hamilton, how long do you plan to stand here blocking my path?”

Feeling wronged, Mandy glared at him. “I just want to tell you that I’m not the despicable and incompetent person you think I am. I aim to beat Natalie, but only by relying on my own abilities! You’ll

see. I’ll prove it to you!” Without waiting for his response, she spun around and dashed off.

Draco watched her flustered retreat, his feelings inscrutable.

Mandy found a secluded corner and lingered there, her heart gradually calming. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Taking deep breaths, she replayed her bold declaration, embarrassment threatening to engulf her.

“Am I an idiot?” she muttered, stomping her foot. “I’ve ruined any chance I had with Draco!”

Within the exhibition hall, Natalie guided Brandon, her elegant hand pointing out the symphony of colors and lines that made up Nelson’s masterpieces. With the practiced air of a seasoned designer, she dissected the intricate details and design principles of each piece. Brandon, an art neophyte, found himself ensnared by the alluring labyrinth of creativity unfolding before him.

As Natalie’s enthusiasm soared, an unwelcome voice pierced her joyful bubble.

“Miss White, what a delightful surprise!” Clyde, decked out in a meticulously chosen ensemble, flashed a smile at Natalie. Catching sight of Brandon, his eyes. briefly flickered with thinly veiled disdain. His heart had not prepared for the revelation that Natalie’s companion would be Brandon, and he wondered if the latter had the capacity to comprehend the art pieces.

With a smirk, he blurted, “Ah, Mr. Larson graces us with his presence. Does he find Mr. Nixon’s art to his taste?”

Natalie’s eyebrows knitted into a delicate frown, and she quickly stepped into the breach for her husband. “Whether my husband appreciates these art pieces or not, surely, Mr. Lambert, is none of your concern.”

Clyde offered a placating smile, swiftly apologizing when he saw Natalie’s rising ire, “Don’t take offense, Natalie. I merely thought Mr. Nixon’s raw, primal style might not sit well with a hard-nosed

businessman. No harm intended.”

Natalie, rendered speechless by Clyde’s audacity, barely resisted rolling her eyes.

She clutched Brandon’s hand, ready to extricate themselves from the conversation.

As they began to retreat, Clyde leaped into their path, his tone dripping with arrogance. “Just a small piece of information, Miss White. I’ve had the pleasure of Mr. Nixon’s company thrice and maintain a cordial relationship with him.

Later, I could introduce you. If he’s in good spirits, he might even provide some insight into your design conundrums.”

Brandon’s eyebrows, sharp as an artist’s chisel, arched upward, and a glimmer of contempt shone in his penetrating gaze.

He deemed Clyde unworthy of his time. Cutting off the latter’s prattle mid- sentence, he guided Natalie toward Nelson, who was hovering nearby.

Clyde, stung by the blatant snub, yearned to renew his mockery but was silenced as he watched Brandon warmly greet Nelson while still holding Natalie’s hand.

Observing their camaraderie, it was unmistakably clear they shared a close and amicable relationship.

The baffling bond between Nelson and a man like Brandon, whose understanding of design was as limited as a fish’s understanding of flight, was something Clyde couldn’t wrap his head around. He had poured so much effort into currying favor with Nelson, and yet, Brandon had seemingly waltzed into an intimate relationship with him. Clyde was left, befuddled and frustrated.

His earlier grandstanding left a bitter taste in his mouth. Clyde wished he could evaporate, leaving nothing behind but a memory of his embarrassment.

Brandon, however, was indifferent to Clyde’s mental turmoil. He greeted Nelson with a respectful nod before turning to introduce Natalie. “This is my better half, Natalie,” he declared, a proud glint in his eyes. “She’s the creative genius behind this ensemble I’m sporting.”

Natalie blinked, taken aback. The reality of her husband’s casual camaraderie with Nelson, a titan of the art world, had her reeling. Brandon, seizing the moment, raised his glass to Nelson, an impish grin dancing on his lips. “Mr.

Nixon, what’s your take on my wife’s creations? Don’t they remind you of your early masterpieces?”

Natalie’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. The idea of her work being likened to

Nelson’s was something she wouldn’t dare entertain, even in her wildest dreams.

She gave Brandon a sharp pinch, silently beseeching him to keep his wild notions to himself.

Yet, Nelson, having heard Brandon’s audacious question, took a moment to scrutinize the pair’s attire. Nodding in approval, he commented, “Your wife’s designs are an echo of my own earlier work-simple, elegant, and distinct. Should she continue honing her craft, I foresee her carving a unique niche in the design world, with a legacy that could rival my own.”

Hearing her role model’s praises, Natalie’s heart fluttered like a hummingbird. Her cheeks burned with joy, a stark contrast to the coolness she felt moments ago.

She’d imagined, at best, gaining a nugget of wisdom from Nelson. His high praise, however, was an unexpected accolade that made her head spin.

Having sung Natalie’s praises, Nelson turned his attention to Brandon. With a playful shake of his head, he jested, “You fortunate scoundrel! To have wedded such a captivating, talented woman.”

Wrapping a protective arm around Natalie, Brandon beamed back, “It’s my impeccable taste. I always pick the cream of the crop.” Feeling the heat nse in her cheeks, Natalie demurred, “You flatter me too much, Mr. Nixon. I’m but a novice in the design world, with mountains yet to climb.”

Nelson laughed heartily, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Your humility is refreshing, I’ve always been a straight shooter, and I only lavish praise where it’s due. Brandon better watch his step. If he ever fails you, you know who to turn to for backup.”