Chapter 30
“Miss Foster, kindly bear in mind that the Hart Group is not a wet market where deals are made by haggling. Director Hart has already pointed out that the design draft from Chase Group is quite crude. The Hart Group has doubts about Miss Stark’s commitment to the project. If this situation continues, the collaboration between the Hart and Chase Groups will end here,” Leo said firmly, without holding back. Myra felt humiliated in front of Sasha and her designer, and to make matters worse, she hadn’t even had the chance to meet Director Hart.
Throughout the return journey to the company, Elsie had been venting her frustration at Myra. Watching Elsie lash out, Myra finally couldn’t take it any longer. “I don’t know what I did to hurt the company,” she said coldly.
“How dare you talk back! Do you even understand what the Hart Group said about you? They’ve called you irresponsible, claiming that your design draft is crude. Myra, you are a real piece of work! How dare you give me such a subpar draft? Are you trying to land me in trouble because you’re upset that I’m your superior now? What do you think you’ll gain if the Chase Group loses the Sunny Bay Project?”
“Miss Foster!” Myra raised her voice to interrupt her. “I think I finally understand what’s going on. The quality of the design draft from Chase Group is not up to par, and that’s why the Hart Group is unhappy. How could you use that as an excuse to blame everything on me?”
Myra’s fury was palpable as she continued. “Miss Foster, we’re both designers. How could you not notice if I handed you a design draft of poor quality? Why would I intentionally sabotage myself?”
“Well, who knows? Maybe you switched the draft yourself! The Hart Group specifically mentioned that you provoked them, which is why they’ve found fault with the Chase Group,” Elsie spat.
No one knew how, but it seemed that the Director of the Design Department had overheard their argument when he was speaking with Sean, and both of them came over to the Design Department.
When Elsie saw Sean, she was reminded of their interaction from two days ago and felt a wave of fear. But now, she thought she had an upper hand, especially after he demoted Myra and made her his subordinate. She hurried over to him but didn’t have the courage to reach out to him directly. Instead, she started to complain, “Director Chase, you transferred Myra as my subordinate, and I’ve been patient with her. But she embarrassed me in front of the Hart Group, and now they have a bad impression of the Chase Group. The Hart Group specifically mentioned that she’s irresponsible, and her design draft is crude. They even threatened to end our collaboration on the Sunny Bay Project!”
Myra couldn’t hold back her bitterness. She knew not to expect any justice, but her frustration still bubbled over. She looked up at Sean, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, and said in a hoarse voice, “I worked on the design draft seriously. I don’t know how it ended up like this, but—”
“Apologize to Miss Foster,” Sean cut her off sharply.
Myra was stunned. She looked at the cold, handsome man standing before her. “D-Director Chase, this is—”
“Miss Stark, you’ve been working at the company for two years now. Aren’t you familiar with the rules?” Sean’s icy gaze sent a shiver through her. “You need to apologize because you made the mistake. Since your actions have affected the project’s progress, the company has no choice but to consider either firing you or sending you an attorney’s letter. We may need to involve solicitors to resolve this.”
The mention of solicitors made Myra feel humiliated beyond measure. How could Sean use a minor issue with the project as an excuse to punish her without considering their relationship? And even if the draft had flaws, could he seriously hold her solely responsible for everything?
“Why should I apologize to her?” Myra suddenly laughed bitterly, her expression contorting with frustration. “If Miss Foster hadn’t sent me away during the meeting with the Hart Group, they would have reprimanded me anyway. And if the draft was of poor quality… if Miss Foster had helped with the design, do you think we’d have been ridiculed like this?”
Her sarcasm hit Elsie hard. The latter’s face changed dramatically.
“Myra, how dare you accuse me? You’re the one at fault, and yet you’re blaming others! I’m disgusted by someone as cruel and vindictive as you!” Elsie yelled.
“Did you just call me cruel and vindictive?” Myra trembled in anger. “I’ve never fought with anyone at this company, nor have I ever competed for anything. But you, you stole my husband and now you’re playing the victim while accusing me?”
Myra pressed her temples to steady herself, her cold expression returning. “Miss Foster, do you remember what you said when we went to the Hart Group? You told me I would embarrass the company if I attended the meeting because of my status. Do you have the nerve to deny it?”
Elsie’s pupils widened in shock, but she quickly straightened her posture. “You think people here will believe you? You’re just making things up!”
“I’m making things up, you say?” Myra’s voice was steady now, her anger controlled. “Then should I assume that everything you’ve told Director Chase was pure nonsense, Miss Foster?”
“I—” Elsie faltered, but Myra wasn’t done.
“Why don’t we compare the data of the design drafts? Nothing is more convincing than the truth,” Myra said, her voice firm.
“Enough!” Sean’s voice cut through the tension, his words sharp and commanding.
Myra’s heart sank at his anger. She had thought that she might have a chance to defend herself, but his interruption dashed that hope.
“Miss Stark, since you’re the one who made the mistake, your salary will be deducted for three months. Furthermore, since your negligence has cost us our collaboration with the Hart Group, the company will…”
“Who says I cost us the collaboration with the Hart Group?” Myra clenched her fists tightly. Her palms were clammy, but the heartache she felt was far worse.
Elsie stood behind her, smug and gloating. Myra’s heart sank even further. “Earlier, Miss Foster said that if this continues, the collaboration with the Hart Group would end. But that just means there’s still hope. The two companies could still work together.”
Myra’s words were heavy, and she could barely hold back her tears. She looked into Sean’s eyes, trying to maintain her dignity. “Since it’s my fault, I will secure the project.”
Elsie interrupted with a sneer. “Why should we trust you to secure the collaboration with the Hart Group?”
Myra turned to leave, her eyes bloodshot, but Elsie stopped her.
“I secured the collaboration in the beginning, and it’s none of your business if I lose it now, Elsie!” Myra’s voice was cold, every word sharp as a knife.
Elsie’s face flushed with fury, but Myra was already walking away. It was the same feeling she had every time she left Sean—feeling the pain he caused her, but he never tried to stop her.
Elsie stomped her feet in frustration, turning to Sean with a triumphant look. “Director Chase, you saw how arrogant Myra is!”
But Sean’s attention was elsewhere, his expression unreadable. Elsie thought she had won, but she missed the mark when she reached out to tug at his sleeve.