A plagiarism scandal would have torpedoed her entire career!
The very thought sent a cold sweat breaking out across Edwina Edgar Bishop's shoulders. Thankfully, for whatever reason, she had maintained a shred of sanity in the end—or perhaps, a shred of conscience.
Emily packed her belongings, glancing around the office where she had grown and worked so hard. A wave of bittersweet nostalgia washed over her.
She turned to Edwina and smiled. "I understand the position you were in. You couldn't defy Adelaide, but you didn't want to lose me as a friend either. You were just trying to survive the crossfire."
"It'll be easier for you once I'm gone. At the very least, you won't be a pawn in Adelaide's games anymore," Emily continued. "But working under someone like her means you have to be sharper than she is. Otherwise, she'll eventually throw you under the bus."
Edwina stared at her. After everything that had happened, Emily's eyes remained clear and untainted. Edwina wondered if she could ever maintain that same purity in such a toxic environment.
They had shared similar temperaments and worked side by side for their dreams. Even the most tedious tasks had felt light and enjoyable because they understood each other so well.
A massive lump formed in Edwina's throat. Her eyes filled with reluctance as she looked at Emily. "What... what are your plans now?"
"I think I'll open my own studio," Emily smiled. "It's time to push myself and see what I'm truly capable of."
Tears spilled over Edwina's lashes as she laughed. "You're going to crush it!"
"Let's both do our best," Emily said gently. "I hope the next time we meet, you'll be a senior designer."
Edwina couldn't hold back anymore. She threw her arms around Emily, sobbing openly. "I'm so sorry, Emily. I'm really, really sorry!"
Emily patted her back soothingly and didn't say another word.
Magdalen laughed brightly. "I'll take that as a compliment!"
She paused for a beat before adding, "If you find yourself lonely tonight, Mr. Lamont, I can always send Mr. Langston over to keep you company."
In the driver's seat, Morrison Langston shot Magdalen a complicated look. He didn't say a word, just turned his handsome face back to the road.
Jonathan's voice remained calm and steady. "You misunderstand me, Ms. Sampson. I simply meant that since Emily just quit, you should be mindful of how you go about this celebration."
"Absolutely!"
Magdalen agreed without missing a beat, then promptly dragged Estelle and Emily to a nightclub.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Thank you for the updates....
I love it, I love it! Thank you for the updates....
Dear author Lucy, may we please have updates. Thank you....
There's a song currently playing via YouTube and TikToc by LowDii "Touch Me Softly" that makes me think of Norah and Xavier (Gonzalez). Please, I'm looking forward to updates. Thank you for your writing....
May we please have updates. Thank you....
As the plot thicken. Adrian is done for and he can't try to control Norah, so he'd probably tattle to Janice who's gone for two weeks. Thank you soooo much for the updates....
These updates were too funny. Thank you so much for the updates....
I forgot to add Amy to the group of pregnant women,since she was the first. Emily and Sylvia better be careful since pregnancy is in the air....
Wow! This is great, both Estelle and Magdalen are pregnant at the same time and I hope that Xavier is Norah neighbor. Thank you for the updates....
Author Lucy you're a blessing. Thank you so my for the updates. I hope that Norah's neighbor is Xavier she gets her memory back....