Chapter 167
Ward let out a heavy sigh. “What’s the point, Lindsay? Even your parents couldn’t stand up to them. What could you possibly do? You’ll only get yourself killed for nothing.”
“Mr. Carter, I’m not as fragile as you think,” Lindsay replied, her voice steady. “I’’II prove it to you with my actions. I will find out why the Nelson Group went under all those years ago.” She paused, then added, “Even if you refuse to tell me anything, I won’t give up.”
Ward shook his head in exasperation. “You’re just too stubborn for your own good.”
Lindsay let out a soft laugh. “That’s what keeps me going.”
Ward looked at her for a long moment, opening his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.
“Well, Mr. Carter, I won’t take up any more of your time. I’m heading home. If you ever need anything, you know where to find me.” With a polite nod, Lindsay turned and walked away.
Ward watched as she climbed into the luxury car, and only when it disappeared from view did he finally look away.
Three days later, in Bloom.
Naomi was released after three days in holding. In that short time, she’d emerged a shadow of her former self-her skin was dry and flaky, fine lines etched deeper around her eyes, and she looked as though she’d aged several years.
A few gossip-hungry coworkers crowded around her, feigning concern but clearly hungry for details.
Naomi clenched her fists and forced a weak smile. “It’s all fine. Just a misunderstanding. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson decided not to press charges.”
The truth was, she’d avoided jail only because Joseph was hopelessly infatuated with her. In order to keep Mrs. Wilson from pursuing criminal charges, he not only paid out a hefty settlement but also convinced the Wood Group to withdraw from the entire Vogue Vision campaign.
The news had sent Mr. and Mrs. Wood straight to the ER, and Mrs. Wood, in her fury, blocked Joseph on every possible channel. She even announced to the family that, from now on, she’d pretend Joseph never existed.
For Naomi, Joseph had practically turned his back on everyone for her sake.
“Just three days in holding? And you didn’t have to pay anything?” a coworker asked skeptically. Everyone had seen Mrs. Wilson’s fury that day-there was no way she’d let Naomi off so easily.
Naomi’s eyes darted. The truth was, even she wasn’t sure how long her luck would last. No one here was an idiot.
“Why don’t you all get back to work? Let’s have lunch together later,” she said, forcing a lighter tone.
The coworkers exchanged glances, then drifted back to their desks.
Since Naomi’s return, Lindsay had buried herself in her own work, not even glancing up.
That didn’t stop Naomi from glaring daggers at her, practically trembling with rage, Her hands clenched so tightly. her knuckles whitened, veins tanding out against her skin f looks could kill, Lindsay wouldn’t have made it out of the office alive.
At ten a.m., the manager called everyone into the conference room.
Once everyone had settled, he glanced at Naomi. “Back again, I see.”
Naomi nodded curtly. “Yes. The final draft should be done by now. I’d like to see the finished product.”
The manager ignored her comment and switched on the projector. A brand new layout appeared on the screen.
Lindsay froze in shock, eyes wide with disbelief.
A hush fell over the conference room, followed by a wave of hushed whispers.
“The manager swapped Naomi’s draft. Looks like she’s out.”
“This new version is gorgeous. I think that’s Lindsay’s work.” ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ
“It is look at her signature in the corner.”
Naomi’s eyes filled with tears, jaw clenched so tightly she thought her teeth might crack. Her fingers dug into her palms as a sharp pain stabbed at her heart.
Why?
Why had she lost to Lindsay again?
She’d been certain her draft would win-after all, it was the very design that had earned her the top prize in her previous life. How could
not
even make the shortlist this time?.net “After careful consideration with upper management, we’ve decided to replace Naomi’s submission with Lindsay’s the manager had barely finished when Naomi shot to her feet.