Chapter 497 Hostility
The next day, Jennifer checked everyone's embroidery, giving feedback one by one. When she got to Sophia and Patricia, she frowned. "Why isn't it finished?"
Sophia started to explain, but Patricia jumped in. "Aunt, I'm sorry. We were working until after six yesterday, and it got dark. Sophia was worried about getting home late, so she left. I don't know much about embroidery, so even after working all night, I couldn't finish it."
Patricia's words made it seem like Sophia left because it was unsafe, but she was really blaming Sophia for leaving her, a newbie, to work alone all night.
This made Sophia look like a senior employee bullying a newcomer, which was pretty nasty.
Sophia didn't rush to defend herself.
The others whispered, "How could Sophia leave Patricia alone at Fusion Dynamics Corporation to embroider? Isn't she afraid of offending Jennifer and Celeste? This is going to be interesting. Jennifer will definitely protect Patricia."
Everyone waited for Jennifer to criticize Sophia.
But Jennifer just looked at the cloth, set it aside, and asked Sophia, "What do you have to say?"
Sophia calmly replied, "I know Ms. Johnson wanted me to guide Patricia. I'm happy to help. But this simple embroidery technique usually takes half a day to learn. I taught her all day, and she still couldn't finish it. It shows she has no talent for fashion design."
Everyone gasped. How dare Sophia say that! Was she really that bold?
Patricia's face went pale.
Celeste wanted to groom her as a successor, and Fusion Dynamics Corporation was in the fashion design business. If the successor didn't understand it at all, it would be hard to convince everyone in the future.
Sophia bluntly saying she had no talent was essentially blocking her path to becoming the successor!
Patricia gritted her teeth, clenching her fists. Even though she was furious, she tried hard to control her emotions, showing a pitiful expression. "I know I'm not very talented, but I worked really hard. I embroidered all night and didn't sleep."
Sophia's mouth twitched, and she retorted, "To become an excellent fashion designer, who doesn't work especially hard? Everyone here has had times when they didn't sleep for days just to design a good outfit."
Everyone nodded in agreement, resonating with the effort they had put in.
"Yeah, back in college, I didn't sleep for two days for a competition."
"Me too. I didn't sleep for three days and almost thought I was going to die suddenly."
Patricia cursed inwardly. 'Whose side are these idiots on?'
She wanted to explain further, looking pitiful.
Jennifer frowned and spoke, "Sophia, you've worked hard. Patricia does lack some talent. You should continue to teach her and be stricter with her."
'Stricter? Fine, I can teach.' Sophia pressed her lips together and gave Patricia a faint smile. "Yes."
Patricia had a bad feeling.
Jennifer returned to her office, and her assistant, Odette Stewart, followed her in.
Jennifer said, "Don't you think there's always something off between Patricia and Sophia?"
Odette remained silent.
Jennifer continued, "It's like they're naturally at odds. On the surface, they seem fine. Sophia takes care of Patricia, and Patricia listens to Sophia, but it always feels like Patricia has some hostility towards Sophia."
Odette tidied Jennifer's desk and said, "I've overheard people talking about them recently."
"Talking about what?" Jennifer asked.
"Comparing the two of them."
"Comparing what?" Jennifer was confused.
"One is your biological niece, and the other is your goddaughter. They're guessing who you'll groom as a successor." Odette paused. "Maybe these rumors are making them uncomfortable."
Jennifer was furious. This was clearly causing trouble between them.
"Spread the word. No one is allowed to discuss this anymore. Anyone who does will be fired!"
Odette responded seriously, "Yes."
But Celeste still heard about it.
First, Patricia came home exhausted and tearful, which Celeste noticed. Feeling heartbroken, Celeste asked her what was going on, but Patricia wouldn't say. So Celeste started asking around.
After various inquiries, Celeste learned about the situation.
Celeste was so angry she slammed her hand on the table.
Jennifer felt pain just watching Celeste.
Celeste better not hurt her hand.
"Who started this?" Celeste was furious.
Jennifer said, "It's hard to trace. It seems to have been brewing for a while, but I've already suppressed the rumors."
"No, we must find the instigator and fire them. Otherwise, how can we ensure a good learning environment at Fusion Dynamics Corporation? It will become a mess."
Jennifer initially wanted to just suppress the matter, but she didn't expect that Celeste couldn't stand it at all, making Jennifer realize that Patricia had become the most important person to Celeste.
Soon, Jennifer found out who started the rumor.
Larry was called to the office, looking puzzled.
Half an hour later, he came out looking like his soul had been drained.
"Larry, what did Ms. Johnson say to you?" Sophia asked, noticing something was wrong.
Larry's eyes were red. He wanted to cry, but as a man, he shouldn't cry easily.
"Sophia, I've been fired."
"Why?"
"Ms. Johnson said I was spreading rumors and wasn't suitable to study at Fusion Dynamics Corporation."
He was just a bit curious, but he didn't say as much as others did. Why was he the only one fired?
Larry felt wronged. He wanted to argue but was afraid Jennifer would think he was still not admitting it.
In the end, he could only leave feeling wronged.
Sophia felt something was off. "Wait, I'll go ask for you."
"Okay." Larry placed his hope on Sophia.
During his time at Fusion Dynamics Corporation, he had genuinely learned useful things.
He didn't want to be expelled halfway.
If word got out, it wouldn't be good for his reputation.
Which company would want him in the future?
Fusion Dynamics Corporation rarely expelled students, but he was one of the few exceptions.
Larry was dejected.
"Jennifer, what's wrong with Larry?" Sophia asked as soon as she came in.
Jennifer sighed. She didn't want to expel Larry either. Larry was very talented, and if he continued his studies at Fusion Dynamics Corporation, he had a bright future.
Such a talent, what a pity.
Jennifer had to tell Sophia what Celeste meant.
"Jennifer, I've worked with Larry for a long time. I know his character well. He's curious, but he never spreads rumors," Sophia said.
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