Chapter 51 Who Is Paying
The atmosphere at the table was slightly awkward. Christina took a sip of water and spoke plainly. “Since you all seem to have finished your meals, it’s time to pay the bill.
The crowd was disappointed. “You’re no fun, Christina.”
Just as they were going to ask more questions, Gina stopped them. Meanwhile, Anna hailed a server to pay the bill because she couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
Soon, a server entered the room with a credit card machine. “Thank you for spending eighty thousand. Who’ll be paying for it?”
The crowd turned their attention to Christina.
In response, the server approached her. “Will you be paying with a card or WhatsApp, miss?”
Christina started sweating bullets. I didn’t pay attention to the price when I came here with Nathaniel for a meal last time, so I didn’t expect eating here would be this expensive. Then again, if it’s a place he picks, then there’s no doubt it’s expensive. I don’t think I have much money left on my card after paying Mom’s hospital fee and Granny’s living expenses. What do I do? I can’t pay the bill, but I can’t ask my colleagues to do it either.
Moments later, Anna approached her and questioned, “Christina, don’t tell me you don’t have a few tens of thousands.”
Abruptly, the table became unusually quiet. The others stared at Christina with mockery.
“Don’t tell us you didn’t get anything after being with Mr. Hadley for so long.”
“Maybe Mr. Hadley doesn’t care about her at all.”
Aside from Christina’s good looks, they didn’t believe she had any advantage that could win over Nathaniel’s heart.
They a**umed those who dated prominent figures like Nathaniel would automatically have a black card, branded items, and a fancy mansion, among other things.
Therefore, when Christina didn’t immediately pay the bill, they concluded that Nathaniel was just playing with her.
The fact that she was cagey about her relationship with Nathaniel only strengthened their speculation.
A faintly tense expression was present on Christina’s face as she spoke calmly. “While Mr. Hadley and I are in a relationship, I’m not his sugar baby, so how rich he is has nothing to do with me.”
When the crowd heard that, they started gloating at her as they shot her mocking looks.
From their perspective, Christina was still pretending to be Nathaniel’s queen when she was just his plaything
That amused them.
Then, Christina removed her phone from her bag. “However, if I want to spend his money, I can just ask him for it.”
She proceeded to dial Nathaniel’s number and put the call on loudspeaker mode.
Seconds later, he answered with his lazy, magnetic voice, “Do you miss me, ‘Christina?”
That instantly silenced the room because the crowd could scarcely believe Nathaniel would talk to Christina in such a gentle tone.
Christina coughed and went straight to the point as she was worried he would say something inappropriate, “My colleagues and I are dining at the restaurant you brought me to before you left for your trip.”
Swiftly, he understood what she meant. “Ah, so you want to drink their fruit wine. I’ll ask someone to bring you a bottle.”
“Thank you.” She then ended the call.
The instant she did that, the women in the room screamed. Mr. Hadley’s voice sounds so good that it I make anyone’s heart race! Christina is so lucky. She can listen to his lazy but gentle voice whenever she wants! If they weren’t a couple, there’s no way Mr. Hadley would’ve given her his number. It seems like her relationship with him is genuine.
It was then the owner brought a freshly opened bottle of fruit wine into the room. “Mr. Hadley has paid for your bill, Ms. Steele. Also, this is the fruit wine he ordered for
you.”
The owner only left after personally pouring her a gla** of wine.
Those who laughed at her earlier lowered their heads in shame.
Upon taking a sip of the wine, Christina explained, “This fruit wine is from the owner’s personal stash. Enjoy it. I’ll be taking my leave now,”
Anna, who had ridiculed Christina earlier, smiled brightly and opened the door for the latter.
After leaving the building, Christina went home in a taxi. Granny should be out dancing right now.
Sitting before her computer, she called Nathaniel.
He asked, “You finished your meal this quickly?”
With reddened cheeks, she thanked, “Thank you for helping me out earlier. When I get my salary next month, I’ll return the money to you.”
As he imagined her blushing like a shy teenager, he replied, “Do you think I want that money back? If you want to thank me, give me a kiss when I return home.”
She simply chuckled in response. “Rest early”
As Nathaniel still had matters to attend to, he hung up the call after saying goodnight.
The next day, when Christina arrived at the company, her colleagues treated her much more
enthusiastically than before.
Truthfully, she disliked that sort of shallow social interaction, which was why she had intentionally hidden her relationship with Nathaniel.
She ignored that matter as she turned on the computer.
It was then Gina returned to the office with a scowl from her morning meeting.
She arrived in the center of the office space before commanding, “Christina, Anna, Pearl, I want you three in my office right now.”
Her tone suggested something terrible had happened.
The three of them left their seats, puzzled. Suddenly, someone shouted, “One of Radiant Corporation’s new designs is suspected to be plagiarized!”
To a designer, the word “plagiarize” was a death sentence.
Paling, the trio exchanged glances as though they were speculating who was responsible.
Christina’s heart lurched. No wonder Gina looks so pissed.
“What are you three standing there for? Come in!” shouted Gina.
Wordlessly, the trio entered Gina’s office and closed the door.
Gina slammed her hand on her desk with considerable force. It was evident she was furious. “Why is one of the designs plagiarized? Explain!”
Earlier, during the meeting, Zachary admonished her as she was the group leader.
Pearl glanced askance at her group mates. “I never plagiarize, but I don’t know if it’s the same for colleagues.”
my
Feeling insulted, Anna barked, “What do you mean by that? Christina and I will never plagiarize anyone’s work!”
“Stop arguing!” Gina glared at them before showing the picture of a design to them. “This design was said to be plagiarized. Who’s responsible for this?”
When the trio saw that, Anna and Pearl turned to Christina.
Gina’s heart wrenched as she questioned. “Did you design this?”
Christina was stunned for a moment before nodding. “I a**ure you that this design is mine. I’ve never plagiarized anyone’s work.”
A complicated expression settled on Gina’s countenance as she asked the other two to leave.
Then she turned on her laptop and showed Christina a warning letter from an art gallery, asking Radiant Corporation to remove all clothing with a specific pattern from the market.
Christina glanced at the warning letter and spoke calmly. “Ms. Tanner, please post a notice on the company’s website clarifying that there is no plagiarism. Tomorrow, this art gallery will issue an apology.”
Enraged, Gina questioned, “Who do you think you are. Christina? I can’t believe you’re asking the company to support you unconditionally. Do you have any proof of your innocence?”
