CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 364

Chapter 364: Chapter 364 A Perfect Sketch

Serena’s POV

I watched as Vivi raised her hand, threatening Claire with pure fury in her eyes.

"You’re talking nonsense! I’ll rip your mouth apart!" she shouted.

"Stop it!" I commanded sharply.

Vivi halted mid-motion, her face flushed crimson with anger. The entire design department had gone silent, everyone pretending not to stare while obviously hanging on every word of this public showdown.

"Mrs. Lancaster, I... Claire is deliberately slandering me! I would never do something like this!" Vivi protested, her voice trembling with indignation.

I kept my expression neutral, though internally I was exhausted by these theatrics. "Enough of this public spectacle. Both of you, come to my office now."

As they followed me in, I could feel Vivi’s death glare burning into Claire’s back. The tension between them was palpable, suffocating the air in my usually peaceful sanctuary. I set down the files I’d been holding and looked up at them, taking in their contrasting demeanors—Vivi practically vibrating with rage while Claire seemed to shrink into herself.

"Explain what’s happening," I said calmly.

Vivi immediately opened her mouth to launch into what I assumed would be a tirade, but I cut her off with a raised hand.

"Claire, you first."

Claire took a deep breath before meeting my eyes. "Mrs. Lancaster, I swear I didn’t leak the designs. Vivi suspects me without any evidence and dragged me here to see you."

She glanced nervously at Vivi before continuing. "With the studio being so busy preparing for Fashion Week, I didn’t want to disturb you, but Vivi wouldn’t let it go..."

Her voice trailed off as she shot another anxious look at her supervisor. "That’s why I suspect she might be... covering her own tracks by shifting blame to me."

"You’re lying!" Vivi erupted beside her.

I observed Claire as she shrank away from Vivi’s outburst, tears welling in her eyes. The performance was impressive—whether genuine or calculated, I couldn’t yet determine.

"Mrs. Lancaster, I’m innocent," Claire insisted, her voice small but steady. "Vivi is the team leader. I barely get any opportunity to access the designs. How could I possibly leak them?"

I had to admit, the dynamic between them was working in Claire’s favor. Next to Vivi’s aggression, Claire’s meekness made her seem more credible. But I’ve learned never to trust appearances in this industry.

My gaze shifted between them, weighing possibilities.

"Mrs. Lancaster, don’t listen to this backstabbing little—" Vivi caught herself before finishing the insult. "I’ve reviewed the security footage. The day before yesterday, before leaving work, I gave Claire the finalized designs to adjust some minor details."

She leaned forward, speaking with renewed conviction. "She disappeared from camera view for over two minutes, claiming she went to the bathroom! If she’s innocent, why would she try to pin this on me?"

Vivi was practically trembling with rage now. I could see she truly believed Claire was guilty.

"Vivi," I said carefully, "you just said you gave the finished designs to Claire to modify the details?"

Her voice grew more passionate as she continued. "But I absolutely did not leak those designs! I would never betray Elegant Realm like that!" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

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