章 17: Chapter 17: I Trust You
Nathalia had been putting a lot of effort into her study, but secretly. She tried not to make it known at school or home as she knew it would not please the Carter couple at all.
She had been hanging out with Sophie. Every day she would go to Sophie's after school, and the two girls would study together. She had even bought herself some books on Business and Finance. Very often, she would stay and study till midnight. She was determined.
Mrs. Watson was very caring for Nathalia, preparing dinner for both girls every evening and night time snacks to recharge. When the girls finished their studies, she would drive Nathalia home.
Nathalia felt loved, a feeling she hadn't had for a long time. She was very grateful to Sophie and Mrs. Watson. A bond was being built amongst the three, like a family.
Sophie's change was also apparent. She had regained confidence, and one would often see her with a happy, smiling face.
The Carter couple couldn't care less where Nathalia had been, what she had been up to. All Nathalia had to tell them was that she was out shopping or hanging out with friends.
It was another evening at Mrs. Watson's. Nathalia had just finished her homework. She nibbled on some nuts, the nighttime energy snacks Mrs. Watson prepared, and then casually pulled out some paper from her bag to show Mrs. Watson.
"Mrs. Watson, would you like to have a look?"
Lisa Watson smiled, wondering what it was about. They were fashion design sketches, creative, stylish, and innovative. With her expertise in the fashion field, she could tell straight away that the designs were exceptional.
"Did you draw these?"
"Uh-huh." Nathalia nodded.
Sophie couldn't help taking a curious look. "Wow. They are so beautiful!"
They displayed trendy and modern dresses for teenagers, bright and colorful, with interesting patterns and exquisite details. Sophie just fell in love with them.
Mrs. Watson went through the designs and saw, at the bottom, a business plan. Meticulous. Target customers, pricing strategies, distribution methods, advertising, promotion plans, and every other aspect were all elaborated, even goals and objectives were set for both 5-year and 10-year plans.
If she had not seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't believe that it was a plan made by an 18-year-old girl.
"You are…" She looked at Nathalia, speechlessly impressed and shocked. It was like she had never known her before. True, she had noticed that Nathalia had been reading books on business, but how could she had thought of this.
I guess it's in her blood. She was born into business. She's definitely a clever and talented one.
Nathalia told her thoughts in a straightforward way, and with sincerity, "Mrs. Watson, I'm going to start a company. You will be the manager and in charge of everything. I will invest. We share the profits, 50% each. What do you think?"
This would be the first step on the road to revenge. Whatever it had to take, her mind was made up.
It all seemed to make sense, yet too much to take in. Lisa Watson wasn't sure what to do. "But Nathalia, there's a lot of trust here."
Lisa wondered what it was for and felt a great sense of responsibility and pressure. It shouldn't be money, nor power that she wants. But she seems so determined and serious.
Nathalia smiled and assured Lisa, "Mrs. Watson, I know I can trust you. I trust you as a person, and I trust you are competent to run the business well. I know someone might make it difficult for us, but I'm not scared…"
They understood what Nathalia meant. She was prepared. If anyone intervened, she would not retreat but fight.
She was still the daughter of the Carter's, who had the power in Miami that no one should ever underrate.
Lisa hesitated. This is a great opportunity, but it can also be big trouble. It will be a decision that affects the rest of me and my daughter's life.
Sophie didn't really understand much about business, but she knew she wanted to help her friend. If it was important to Nathalia, then it was important to her.
"Mum, please say yes. I trust Nathalia, and I trust you."
Seeing the sincerity on her daughter's face and the determination on Nathalia's, lots of thoughts flashed by her head, and suddenly, she decided, "Sure. I will do my best, but I don't need 50%. It's too much."
What she didn't know was that it was a decision that would bring lots of changes, wonders, ups, and downs to her life afterward.
Nathalia was relieved. She said yes. That's one step forward.
"You deserve it, Mrs. Watson."
Nathalia had been observing Lisa and noticed that she was competent, organized, and managing the shop excellently, though she played it a bit too safe and needed a little push, which wasn't a negative thing as Nathalia herself was a bit impulsive. The two of them would work perfectly together.
The most important thing was that Mrs. Watson was honest and reliable.
Lisa rejected with a friendly smile "Thanks for saying that Nathalia, but you are far more talented than me and one day you will run the company yourself, I'm just managing it for you temporarily."
She's young, but she's ambitious and sophisticated. One day, she will be somebody. Lisa thought. She knew herself well and how much she should take.
Nathalia didn't expect such generosity from Lisa, and for this, she respected her even more. Lisa was the perfect partner she needed, generous, open-minded, and a long term thinker.
She would remember everyone that had helped her and make sure to return their favor one day.
After some discussion and negotiation, they agreed that Mrs. Watson would take 30%, Nathalia, 70%, and it would be registered under Lisa's name for now.
Nathalia took out a box from her bag, opened it, and in it was the jewelry she got from Mrs. Carter from BlueStone Gold & Diamond Jewellery the other day.
"Please sell these for me."
I want to keep the ones from mum, but these, I can just sell them for cash.
"Will you get into trouble for it?" Mrs. Watson was a bit concerned, thinking She doesn't even dare to be herself at home and has to study secretly here. The jewelry looked extremely expensive. Where did she get them from?
"Don't worry. I've got a plan." Nathalia replied reassuringly.
Seeing her confidence, Lisa accepted.
The next day, Nathalia was about to leave with Sophie after school when her phone rang.
Sophie saw a frown on Nathalia's face and wondered what it was about. "Is everything ok? Who was it?"
Nathalia rarely used her phone, and people rarely called her. This was unusual.
"It was my step-mother. She said there was something to talk to me about and asked me to go home now." Nathalia answered while thinking, What is it about? This is weird.
Puzzled, she rushed home. As soon as she opened the door, she heard Anne Carter laughing flirtatiously, and wondered what was happening.
Slowly she walked into the living room to see Anne Carter sitting on the sofa, dressed up, make-up on, beaming with joy.
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