Free Web NovelChapter 62: Chapter 62 Backstabbed
Christina’s POV
I didn’t waste time with excuses or sob stories. I simply apologized for being late and launched straight into my presentation.
While the projector warmed 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 moments in a flower’s lifecycle." freewebnøvel.com
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 immediately 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 moment the door closed, Savannah rounded on me.
"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 me,she was upset about how close I’d come 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 time. Do you honestly think I’d have been at home in my pajamas if I’d known?"
She studied me carefully. We’d worked together long enough for her to know I wasn’t the type to blow off important meetings. 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 meeting time 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. freёweɓnovel.com
"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 time exactly did you tell me? Give me the details,timestamp 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 me. "Yeah, Chloe was super clear about it. Kept reminding me like ten times. You don’t get interns this conscientious anymore."
I recognized the voice immediately,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 came to tell me on Friday afternoon, someone 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 stammered.
I laughed—not an amused laugh, but the kind that says ’you’ve got to be kidding me.’
"Really? At 4:30, just before everyone leaves? You expect me 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 come 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 means everything to me. You’ll get me fired with accusations like that!"
Violet glided over and handed Chloe a tissue.
"Come 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," someone 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 me, Chloe. You have zero proof. I’m the one you supposedly talked to, and I don’t remember 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 me because you’re scared of getting in trouble!"
She sniffled dramatically. "If you want to throw accusations at me, 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 slammed her hand on the table. "I don’t care if Chloe forgot to pass the message or if Christina slept through her alarm.This ends now. From today forward, every communication gets documented—text, email, whatever. Meeting 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 me, a smug smirk playing at her lips.
The message was clear,this was just the beginning of her games.
