Christina’s POV
I didn’t waste ti with excuses or sob stories. I simply apologized for being late and launched straight into my presentation.
While the projector ward up, I tugged my shirt into place and used those precious seconds to steady my breathing.
Akira was still on high alert after our mad dash to the office, and I needed her calm.
"Today I’m presenting BloomState," I began, finding my professional voice despite my racing heart. "Each piece captures the fleeting monts in a flower’s lifecycle."
I clicked through my designs one by one—tiny spiral bud earrings, an open heart necklace resembling a full bloom, the structural Seed Pod Ring with its sharp angles, and finally the Dewdrop Collar with its light-catching stones.
"I’ve studied Ms.Black’s entire catalog and public persona,"I explained,my confidence building. "While her brand is known for playfulness, these pieces will elevate her to iconic status."
Throughout my presentation, Eliza Black sat motionless behind her designer mask. Not a single nod, no hint of approval or disapproval—just the perfect poker face. Her eyes, the only visible part of her face, gave away nothing.
When I finished, her agent imdiately stood. "She has a photo shoot. We’re already running late. We’ll be in touch with our decision."
And just like that, they were gone.
The mont the door closed, Savannah rounded on .
"Do you have any idea how many people sat here waiting for you? If I hadn’t begged like a bloody hostage negotiator, they would have walked out!"
I didn’t argue. Savannah had the mouth of a guillotine but a heart of marshmallow. She wasn’t truly angry at ,she was upset about how close I’d co to missing the opportunity of the year.
After downing an entire bottle of water, I finally spoke. "Savannah, I swear I didn’t know they changed the ti. Do you honestly think I’d have been at ho in my pajamas if I’d known?"
She studied carefully. We’d worked together long enough for her to know I wasn’t the type to blow off important etings. I’d earned my reputation through late nights and dedication, contract designer or not.
Then her gaze shifted, landing on Chloe with laser precision.
"Did you not inform Christina about the eting ti change?"Savannah demanded.
Chloe looked like a startled fawn caught in headlights.
Fresh off probation and officially hired last month, she still walked like she hadn’t broken in her heels.
"I did tell her!" Her voice took on a whiny, defensive edge. "I told everyone like two days ago. I specifically spoke to Christina in person. There’s no way she didn’t know!"
I snapped my laptop shut. "Strange. I haven’t seen you in days. What ti exactly did you tell ? Give the details,tistamp and all."
Her face twitched nervously."Around 4:30 on Friday?Savannah stressed how important it was, so I made sure to tell everyone face-to-face."
A voice piped up from behind . "Yeah, Chloe was super clear about it. Kept reminding like ten tis. You don’t get interns this conscientious anymore."
I recognized the voice imdiately,one of Violet’s loyal followers.
My wolf growled internally.
The rival designer had clearly planed this whole thing.
My voice went cold as I addressed Chloe."If you truly ca to tell on Friday afternoon, soone must have seen you. Who can back up your story?"
"I, um, went to your desk when the office was empty. No one was around," she stamred.
I laughed—not an amused laugh, but the kind that says ’you’ve got to be kidding .’
"Really? At 4:30, just before everyone leaves? You expect to believe the entire design floor was completely empty?"
I crossed my arms. "If no one saw you, no one can verify your story. You should have co up with a better lie."
Her lips trembled before the waterworks started—theatrical, calculated tears designed to win sympathy.
"Christina,I swear I told you! Why would I lie? I know you think I’m inexperienced. Fine, I’m just a fresh graduate, but I take my job seriously! It ans everything to . You’ll get fired with accusations like that!"
Violet glided over and handed Chloe a tissue.
"Co on, Christina," Violet said smoothly. "Chloe has never had any issues with you. Why would she deliberately leave you out? You’re just lashing out because you were late."
Another designer jumped in. "Yeah, poor Chloe would never do that on purpose. Look at her, she’s devastated."
"She’s always the first one in, last one out," soone else added. "Don’t throw her under the bus like that."
The crowd murmured their approval. Apparently, I was now the wicked wolf who picked on helpless interns for sport.
I exhaled slowly, tamping down Akira’s desire to snarl at them all.
"I haven’t even raised my voice, and she’s already sobbing like I keyed her car. No one saw you tell , Chloe. You have zero proof. I’m the one you supposedly talked to, and I don’t rember it happening. That doesn’t add up. We could always check the security footage."
Her crying intensified. "I did tell you, I swear! It just happened that no one saw it. You were late, you almost ruined everything, and now you’re blaming because you’re scared of getting in trouble!"
She sniffled dramatically. "If you want to throw accusations at , fine. I’m just the lowest-ranking nobody here. All I do is fetch coffee and organize supplies. I’ll just quit."
On cue, the chorus erupted, "Don’t quit, Chloe!" It was like she’d announced she had two days to live.
"Enough!" Savannah slamd her hand on the table. "I don’t care if Chloe forgot to pass the ssage or if Christina slept through her alarm.This ends now. From today forward, every communication gets docunted—text, email, whatever. eting over."
The crowd dispersed quickly after that.
I maintained a stone-cold psychopath expression as I gathered my things, but inside, Akira was pacing restlessly.
Just before reaching the door, I caught Violet Lin watching , a smug smirk playing at her lips.
The ssage was clear,this was just the beginning of her gas.
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