Lenny and Scarlett novel Chapter 21
There was a bidding war this afternoon.
After finding out the address of the bidding, Lenny looked up and said, "I'm downstairs now. I'll be up in a minute."
He didn't expect that the bidding would be held in the same office building where Scarlet worked.
When Scarlet returned to the studio, she walked in on a serious and grim atmosphere. Everyone was looking at her.
"What's going on?" Scarlet limped in and asked.
Dina walked toward her and pointed to her angrily.
"I put the dress and silk scarf in the box and asked you to take them to the restaurant. How could the scarf disappear?"
"There was no silk scarf in the box, Dina. Only the dress was in it. When I took the box from your office, I opened it and confirmed its contents with you, remember?" Scarlet explained immediately.
"Are you lying because you know that there's no surveillance camera in my office, Scarlet? I've been working for this studio for several years. Everyone knows what kind of person I am and how I treat my job. I'm strict with my work, and I don't lose or miss anything that belongs to our clients.
I was busy this afternoon, so I couldn't spare some time to deliver the package myself. I asked you to run the errand for me. What is this? Are you angry that I delayed your lunch? Is that why you're playing this trick on me right now? Did you deliberately hide the silk scarf and frame me? Mrs. Santos complained to my boss. Do you want me to get fired?"
Tears began welling up in Dina's eyes as she looked at Scarlet with grievance.
Everyone's heart softened at the sight of it. After all, Dina had been working in the studio since it was established. She had taught and mentored every newcomer that came in.
So, naturally, everyone was inclined to believe Dina, not Scarlet.
"I've been working with Dina for a long time. She has never made a mistake."
"That's right. Dina takes her job seriously and meticulously. How could she make such a rookie mistake? Just give the scarf back, Scarlet, and nothing will happen to you."
"If you don't return the scarf, we will call the police!"
Scarlet's colleagues began chiming in. They surrounded and glared at her.
"I didn't take the scarf. It wasn't in the box. I swear..."
"You still don't want to give up, do you? Then we have no choice but to send you to the police station. I can't believe that an undergraduate student would steal things from the company. If we don't teach you a lesson now, you will be capable of something worse in the future."
A male colleague of Scarlet's immediately stood up and grabbed her, wanting to take her to the police station.
Seeing that the situation was getting out of control, Dina immediately stepped forward.
"Scarlet, do you really want to maintain your innocence on this?"
"Dina, I am innocent. I didn't take the scarf. You didn't give it to me..."
"Enough. That's it. I'll just pay for the damned thing. But your internship here is over. Please leave."
"Wow! That is so generous of you, Dina! That silk scarf is worth about twenty thousand dollars!"
"Exactly. Is she worth that kind of money?"
"She's still a student. If she goes to the police station now and gets booked, she will have a criminal record. That could ruin her future, and I don't want that on my conscience. Pack up your things and leave, Scarlet." Dina spoke seriously.
Scarlet felt so wronged. She was sure that there was no silk scarf in the box and that Dina was talking nonsense.
Dina pretended to be kind-hearted by not throwing Scarlet in jail. In this way, she wasn't only able to leave a good impression on her colleagues but also drive Scarlet away.
Scarlet was willing to go to the police station and explain herself, but Dina refused to give her a chance and asked someone to escort her out of the studio.
With her shoulders slumped in defeat, Scarlet went to her desk, collected her things, and put them in a box.
Then, she walked into the elevator with her head down. There were many people in the elevator. She didn't look up, so she didn't notice Lenny.
Lenny fixed his eyes on Scarlet. When she boarded the elevator, she went right into a corner and bowed her head. Then, her shoulders started trembling. It looked like she was crying.
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