One Night Surprise

Chapter 278 Can I Be Your Apprentice?

The atmosphere grew heavy almost instantly.

The director of the manufacturing company was a middle-aged man who wore a pair of little round spectacles. He looked bright and capable, but his expression was now stony as he pointed out, “Mr. Dawson, there’s nothing wrong with these.”

“Nothing wrong?” Bill repeated incredulously as his hand swept down to pick up one of the discarded shirts and waved it in front of the director’s face. “The shirt placket is all messed up and look at the stitching! As soon as this batch goes out the door, it carries with it the pride and dignity of the entire Hunter Group! With a quality like this, you’re going to cost us our reputation!”

“Well…”

The director looked uneasy at the confrontation. Upon seeing that, Courtney stepped up and assumed the role of a mediator; she tugged at Bill’s sleeve as she said, “Stop talking for a bit and let me have a word with the director.”

“And you are…” The director adjusted his spectacles and appraised Courtney curiously.

Most of the work that required trips to the manufacturing company were all previously done by the designers. As such, she had never officially met the director.

Standing at one side, Natasha promptly made the necessary introductions. “This is Courtney Hunter—President Hunter, the director of Hunter Group.

“President Hunter?” The older man blinked. “I beg your pardon, Miss. I didn’t think you’d be so young!”

“That’s all right,” Courtney answered pleasantly. She looked at Bill and silently indicated for him to step aside. She then went over to the director to have a private word with him.

“Mr. Finch, please excuse Mr. Dawson. He’s actually great at everything except keeping his temper in check,” Courtney began. “Here’s the thing—we need this batch to be ready within a month. With a deadline like this, you’ll understand why we can’t afford even the slightest of mistakes. We’re terribly sorry if we offended you in any way.”

“Please don’t apologize. After all, it was our fault in the first place. I just returned from Elmsbury and I was just about to supervise the production for your batch. I didn’t think we’d run

she lifted a slender finger like she was drawing an idea out of thin air. “How about this? If you can finish the production earlier, then we’ll incentivize you on a contractual basis. If quality is ensured and you finish the work a day earlier than the deadline, you will

out the calculations as he grinned at Courtney. He did not have to say anything to let her know that he was more than

with the way businessmen worked—she drove a hard bargain, but

sure that things turned out the way they wanted. After all, they did not want to come

at the manufacturing company. She offered to drop Bill and Natasha off along the way. The villa on Lotus Road had been vacant

the villa when Natasha asked suddenly, “Bill, I was wondering—can I be your apprentice and

and saw that Bill’s eyebrows were drawn together. He asked in reply, “Why do you want to learn

“Because I like it.”

it. That’s just how the world works. Have you dabbled in fashion designing

“I… I have not.”

time that she knew Natasha, it was the first time that she saw a sheepish look pass across the girl’s face—a stark contrast from her usually composed

he had no idea about the effect his words had on Natasha. Like most men, he was oblivious to the many aspects of chivalry and he had a mind that was straighter than steel. It was no wonder that he was single even though he was nearly forty years

life, Courtney teased lightly, “You know, it’s pretty clever of you to come up with the strategy of learning fashion designing from Bill. I mean, designing is all he ever thinks about. There’s nothing much

said, she quickly explained, “Miss Hunter, I’m afraid you’ve taken this the

Courtney mused, her hands on the steering wheel as she kept her eyes on the road beyond the windscreen. “You know how proud these artistic types are and they show little mercy to those who are weaker than them in the industry. If you really become his apprentice—and that’s on the basis that he’s even willing to

“As long as Bill is willing to take me

a brow as she asked. “Are you really that interested in fashion design? Let me have a word with Bill to see whether he’s willing to take you in as an

on my own. He wouldn’t turn you down if you asked, but I really want him

the matter any further. After all,

bag of potatoes. A nearby grocery store was offering discounts for potatoes and they were being sold in two