Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3020

"Resigned?" Adelaide feigned utter shock. "Emily's design was just greenlit by the head of Sterling Properties this morning, and she turns around and quits? And with Padgett? Don't you think this sounds like some sort of coordinated stunt?"

Ron glared at her coldly. "Are you seriously going to stand there and tell me you have no idea why she's leaving?"

Playing the victim perfectly, she scoffed, "What does their resignation have to do with me? Her initial drafts were subpar, so I ordered a rewrite. Today proved my management style yields results—Sterling was thrilled with her second iteration. Ask anyone in the bullpen; I have incredibly high expectations for Emily, which is why I push her so hard. Is it suddenly a crime to demand excellence?

"I run a tight ship. I don't accept mediocrity, and everyone knows it.

"If she requires constant coddling and can't handle constructive criticism, that is entirely on her. My conscience is perfectly clear."

"Since you're so confident in your narrative, I'll pass your exact words along to the board," Ron said flatly.

"Please do," she countered smoothly. "Corporate turnover is perfectly natural. If employees are unhappy, they leave. No one can stop them. Besides, designers are a dime a dozen. If two leave, we'll hire three more. The world won't stop spinning, and Paragon Pixel Design will survive without them. Wouldn't you agree?"

The corner of Ron's mouth twitched into a dark smirk. "Emily is a rising star and a major asset this company has spent resources cultivating. Padgett is the absolute backbone of the design department. Have you even begun to calculate the financial hemorrhage their simultaneous exit will cause this firm?"

She quickly masked her smugness with a look of deep concern. "Obviously, the firm's bottom line is paramount. But since I'm new to headquarters, I don't have your established rapport with them. Perhaps you should try talking them off the ledge?"

Ron stared her down, a cynical smile touching his lips. "You are their direct supervisor. I think it is entirely appropriate that you handle it."

"I'm afraid I have to decline," she replied evenly. "I'm focused on the broader vision. I won't waste my time begging two disgruntled employees to stay."

"Arrogance is truly the luxury of the ignorant. Let's see how long you can maintain that smug composure." Ron nodded toward the door. "Get back to work. I'll be in touch."

Offering a polite, dismissive nod, Adelaide turned and strutted out of his office.

Watching her leave, Ron let out a dark chuckle, his eyes filled with absolute contempt—and a heavy dose of pity.

As the office began to empty out on Friday evening, Edwina approached Emily's desk to sign off on a final handover document. She looked profoundly guilty. "I am so sorry about all of this."

"It's fine," Emily smiled warmly. "I'm honestly just thrilled you didn't let Adelaide force you into presenting my stolen work to the Sterling team."

Edwina's jaw dropped. "You knew?"

"I guessed," Emily laughed softly. "She's been obsessed with getting me fired since day one. When she forced you onto the Sterling account, it wasn't hard to put the pieces together."

Edwina nodded, realizing she had been right all along. Emily had been steps ahead of the ambush. If Edwina had actually presented the plagiarized files, Emily would have publicly destroyed them both. Her reputation would have been completely ruined right alongside Adelaide's.

And knowing Adelaide, she would have happily thrown Edwina under the bus to save herself.