The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 187

That afternoon, Felice gave her assistant a few instructions before heading into her office to grab the Midlake Estates folder for the presentation.

She pulled the folder out from the bottom of the pile on her desk.

Suddenly, something caught her eye. She glanced at the topmost folder and frowned, sensing something was wrong. She took out her phone and opened her photo gallery.

She had always been cautious, and since officially taking over the design department, she had made it a habit to take a picture of her desk whenever she left her office for more than half an hour, just to ensure no one entered in her absence.

If she remembered correctly, there had been a pen on top of that folder before she left for lunch.

Felice opened the most recent photo in her gallery and zoomed in. Sure enough, a silver pen was resting on the folder's surface. Now, it was gone.

Her heart skipped a beat. She looked down at the folder in her hand and quickly opened it to check the contents.

Her mind went blank.

After flipping through the pages three times, the thread of her anxiety finally snapped.

The Midlake Estates design drafts...

They were gone.

With less than an hour before the presentation, Felice had no time to think. She grabbed the folder and was about to go find Victoria to figure out a solution. But just as she was about to pull the office door open, someone pushed it from the other side, and they nearly collided.

Felice looked up at the visitor, startled. "...Genevieve?"

Genevieve smiled, her gaze pointedly shifting to the folder in Felice's hand. "You seem to be in quite a hurry, Ms. Donald. Did something happen?"

Felice's expression changed. "Genevieve, did you steal the Midlake Estates design drafts? Give them back!"

Genevieve closed the door and leisurely walked over to the sofa to sit down. "What Midlake Estates designs? Ms. Donald, I just got here and haven't said a word, yet you immediately accuse me of stealing. Isn't that a bit unfair?"

Felice was frantic and in no mood to beat around the bush. Seeing that Genevieve wouldn't admit it, she hardened her tone and tried to dismiss her. "Genevieve, I have something urgent to attend to. If you have other business, you can wait until I get back. For now, please leave!"

"How do you know that what I want to discuss isn't the same urgent matter you're dealing with?" Genevieve remained unfazed, pouring herself a glass of water and taking a light sip.

Felice strode forward and snatched the folder Genevieve had brought. Confirming it was the project contract for Vista Heights Lodge, her pupils dilated with disbelief.

Vista Heights Lodge and Midlake Estates weren't even in the same league. If she could really sign Vista Heights, it wouldn't just be the position of Design Director; she could aim even higher.

At that thought, Felice's excitement grew, and the contract in her hands suddenly felt immensely heavy. But in the next moment, she calmed down. "No. If anyone finds out the bid failed because the Midlake Estates designs were missing, my position as director will be at risk!"

Genevieve scoffed. "You know perfectly well how valuable Vista Heights Lodge is, Ms. Donald. With this project under your belt, what do you have to fear? Besides..." She drew out the last word, standing up and walking over to Felice. Her gaze fell to the Midlake Estates folder. "Victoria was the one who gave you these documents. You trusted her and never opened them to check. So if there's a problem with the file, how could that possibly be your fault?"

Felice was stunned, her expression shifting.

Genevieve's voice was gentle but deeply alluring. "One is a guaranteed failure, the other is a sure thing. You're a smart woman, Ms. Donald. I'm sure you know what to do."

Felice's eyes darkened. She recalled the sense of awe she'd felt that morning when she saw Victoria's designs, and the intense feeling of crisis that had followed. At that moment, she had suddenly realized that Victoria was far superior to her, in terms of both background and design skill.

If Victoria used her status as the heiress of The Sanger Group to pressure the higher-ups... if Victoria decided to compete...

Victoria would undoubtedly become the most threatening rival on her path to the top.