Reclaimed By My Ex-husband
Chapter 95: Did Nathaniel ask you to help me?

Chapter 95: Did Nathaniel ask you to help me?

With adrenaline coursing through her, she walked off the stage. Backstage, Bree was already waiting, bouncing on her heels with excitement.

Zara couldn’t stop smiling. Neither could Bree.

Before Bree could even speak, Zara blurted out, "Nicole wants to talk to me." Her whole body trembled with the rush of joy and disbelief.

Bree’s eyes widened in shock. "What? Are you serious?"

Zara nodded, still unable to believe.

A slow, radiant smile spread across Bree’s face. "Zara, I am so happy. Nicole Cook noticed you. This is huge."

Zara’s fingers tightened around the award. "I need to see Nathaniel," she said, breathless.

"Then go," Bree urged. "Find him. I’m sure he is bursting with pride right now."

Grinning with excitement, Zara turned and rushed toward the exit leading to the main hall. Her eyes searched, skipping past faces and shoulders until she noticed the familiar figure. In the far corner of the hall, near the curtains that framed the stage, she spotted him.

Nathaniel stood tall, hands in his pockets, exuding that quiet confidence she knew so well. Even from a distance, she could see the curve of a smile on his face as he conversed with someone hidden behind the sweeping drapes.

Zara quickened her pace, her smile widening as she moved closer. But then, her steps faltered.

The drapes parted just enough to reveal Nicole.

Zara stopped dead in her tracks. Her smile faded. The surge of joy in her chest flickered with uncertainty. Her thoughts spiraled.

Nathaniel and Nicole were friends. How could she have forgotten?

The words Nicole whispered echoed in her mind — ’Meet me after this.’

Had Nicole decided to speak to her because of Nathaniel? Was this opportunity something he had arranged behind the scenes? Was he using his influence to push her forward?

Her gaze lingered on the two of them—laughing, talking.

A storm of doubt swept through her. Her heart pounded with confusion.

Zara wanted success, untainted by favors or connections. A strange weight settled in her chest.

She stood frozen there, hesitating whether to go back to Bree or talk to Nicole. Just as she was dithering, she noticed Nathaniel pulling out his phone and walking away, leaving Nicole behind. She thought it was the right moment to talk to Nicole.

Drawing a deep breath, Zara took a step forward.

"Nicole," she called out.

Nicole turned around, and the instant her eyes landed on Zara, a warm smile bloomed on her face. "Zara... congratulations again. You truly impressed the judges tonight." Her eyes held genuine admiration. "And I must say, I’m pleasantly surprised. I had no idea Nathaniel was hiding such a talented wife at home."

She laughed. "You must be curious how I know your husband. Well, Nathaniel and I go way back. We were part of a close-knit group — five of us: Nathaniel, Eugen, Liam, my husband, and I. We grew up together, practically inseparable. Played together, studied together... all of it."

Zara listened intently, her gaze fixed on Nicole’s expressive face. This was the first time she had heard anything about Nathaniel’s friends. It felt like stepping into a part of his world that had always been closed off.

She knew Eugen, yes, but the others were names she had only heard in passing. Liam Lawson, especially—she remembered the elders of the family mentioned him quite a few times, saying Liam and Nathaniel were close. But she had never had the chance to meet with him personally.

Nicole’s voice turned softer, more wistful. "We were wild, carefree, full of dreams. But after high school, life pulled us in different directions. Different colleges, different cities, different ambitions. We all kept in touch, met whenever we could. But after Nora passed..."

A shadow crossed her features, her smile fading. "Nathaniel changed. He shut himself off from all of us. Stopped meeting, stopped talking, just buried himself in his work like a ghost."

She paused for a moment. Her smile returned when she looked back at Zara. "But tonight, I saw him smiling again. The old Nathaniel is back. And that’s because of you."

Nicole reached out and took Zara’s hand. "He cares for you. More than you realize. Trust me."

The last words struck a chord that deepened Zara’s doubts. Was this really about her talent, or was Nathaniel pulling strings behind the scenes? The thought unsettled her.

She needed clarity. She needed to hear the truth from Nicole.

"You mentioned earlier you wanted to talk to me. What was it about?" Zara asked carefully.

Nicole let out a light laugh. "Ah, yes... Well, I’m planning to expand my brand here," she explained. "And for that, I need people who are skilled, passionate about their work. That’s why I came to this event, scouting for talent. And you impressed me. You are exactly what I’m looking for."

Zara blinked, caught off guard.

"I want you to join my team and take the reins as the head designer for this branch."

For a moment, Zara forgot how to breathe.

The offer was massive, undeniably enticing. It had the power to change everything for her. If she accepted, there would be no need to look back. Collaborating with someone like Nicole was a rare opportunity, one that most people would seize without hesitation. Nicole actually wanted her to lead as the head designer. It was an opportunity too significant to dismiss.

Her heart pounded. Yet, despite the allure, Zara’s sense of pride held her back, urging her to think it through. Doubts still lingered in her heart. What if Nathaniel had made this happen behind the curtain?

She forced herself to stay composed. "It’s an incredible honor," she said, her nerves fluttering beneath the surface. "I don’t even know how to respond. But... are you sure? I’ve been away from the industry for five years. I’m just getting back on my feet. There are others—more experienced, more deserving..."

"No one is more fitting than you," Nicole interjected.

Zara was taken aback. The certainty in Nicole’s eyes, the seriousness in her voice, shook her. And that sincerity began to chip away at Zara’s suspicion, replacing it with hope.

"Even after being away from the fashion scene for so many years, you managed to grab the judges’ attention," Nicole added. "Believe me, there was quite a debate because of you. The judges actually split into two groups because of you. One group was adamant that you should be in the top three, but others were reluctant since you are not yet a well-known name, unlike the more established participants. Ultimately, they selected the top three based on popularity. Still, they all agreed on one thing—you deserved to be recognized. That’s why they came up with the idea of a special award."

Nicole smiled reassuringly. "So don’t ever doubt your worth. I’ve been in this business long enough to recognize true talent. I don’t need anyone to tell me who is capable—I can see it for myself in your work."

Zara felt a swirl of confusion and hesitation rise within her. Her earlier assumptions began to waver. Had she misjudged the situation? Perhaps Nathaniel hadn’t pulled any strings after all. Maybe Nicole had truly seen potential in her.

Yet, she needed to be certain.

Biting her lip, she met Nicole’s gaze carefully and asked, "Can I ask you something? Did... Did Nathaniel ask you to help me? Is that why you are offering me this position?"