Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3017

"I'll head back to my desk."

"My door is always open if you need help."

"Thank you."

Leaving the director's office, Edwina returned to her desk. She glanced at the empty chair beside her, suddenly realizing that it was only a matter of time before Adelaide forced Emily out of the company entirely.

If Emily was destined to crash and burn anyway, using her designs to secure a promotion was basically a favor, right? It wasn't as if the two of them could team up and actually defeat a department head.

Opening her bottom drawer, Edwina pulled out the stolen drafts.

*

Wednesday arrived in a flash.

Having finalized the Sterling file, Emily stayed at the office, waiting for the clients to arrive.

Around 10:00 AM, word came that the Sterling team was in the lobby. Adelaide dispatched an assistant to summon Emily to the main conference room.

Walking in, Emily noted that Edwina was already seated at the table.

Adelaide turned to her with a sickly-sweet smile. "Emily, this project is incredibly high-stakes, and the higher-ups are watching it closely. I was worried Mr. Greco might not be thrilled with a solo draft, so I had Edwina prepare a backup option. Once he arrives, he can simply pick whichever one he prefers. I'm sure you don't mind, right?"

Edwina kept her eyes glued to the mahogany table, refusing to even glance in Emily's direction.

Without missing a beat, Emily replied smoothly, "Of course. It's a very thorough strategy. I have no objections."

"You are always such a team player," Adelaide praised falsely.

"Please, don't," Orval said, raising a hand. "I had another meeting in the building and merely tagged along with Mr. Greco to review the concepts. There's no need for a fuss."

"Understood. Whatever you prefer," she deferred flawlessly.

Pivoting to the presentation, her smile was picture-perfect. "Allow me to introduce two of our most brilliant designers: Edwina Edgar Bishop and Emily Sullivan."

Both women offered their professional greetings.

Orval nodded approvingly. "Very young. Our company's core directive for this project is to appeal to modern sensibilities, so this is perfect."

Emily almost smirked. They had debated this exact topic over dinner weeks ago. Back then, Orval had fiercely argued that traditional Eastern aesthetics blended with classical European architecture was the superior, more timeless choice.

Emily had countered that classical foundations needed to be aggressively modernized for younger demographics to actually want to live there.