Chapter 203 A Transformation Unseen
"Was it not you then? Perhaps a phantom is to blame?" Hollis Sutton's voice dripped with sarcasm as she anticipated Violet Devereux's defense. Her sneer deepened as she continued her tirade. "If you had an ounce of dignity, you'd resign this instant and never dare to tread in the realm of design again."
Violet's lips pressed into a thin line, a determined glint in her eyes. "I will find the evidence to vindicate myself."
"Evidence? You're guilty, aren't you?" Hollis was on the verge of shattering her cup in a fit of rage when a firm hand suddenly reached out from the side, seizing her wrist.
Startled and abruptly restrained, Hollis instinctively glanced back, her eyes widening as she recognized Linda from the president's office. A sense of wariness quickly washed over Hollis, her hostility towards the executive staff prompting her to quell her anger.
With a timid bite of her lip, Hollis managed to inquire, "Linda... What brings you here?"
"Mr. Hall has summoned Ms. Devereux to the CEO's office to discuss today's incident," Linda stated, her knowledge of Mr. Hall's interest in Violet Devereux making her confident that he would stand in Devereux's defense. "Is it customary for the designers at JK to resort to violence? To douse each other with water at the slightest provocation? If Mr. Hall, who is so invested in nurturing JK's talent, learns of this incident, Ms. Sutton, how do you think he'll perceive your actions?"
The implications of Linda's words were not lost on Hollis Sutton. Was she insinuating that Hollis's behavior was tarnishing JK's reputation? Hollis's face drained of color, her posture sagging as if she had been struck at her core. She stuttered out a feeble response, "Linda, I didn't mean to... it was an accident."
She wasn't prepared to sever ties with JK. The company's prestigious reputation, coupled with the backing of the influential Hall family, made JK a place of boundless opportunities.
"Whether it was intentional or not, I witnessed it all," Linda declared, her tone unwavering.
Hollis was at a loss for words, managing only a meek, "Linda... I'm sorry."
"Ms. Sutton, your apology is misdirected," Linda responded coolly.
Hollis's complexion fluctuated rapidly, her face flushing with embarrassment. Realizing that she couldn't maintain her defiance, especially not in the current circumstances, she reluctantly bowed her head and extended an apology to Violet Devereux. "Ms. Devereux, I sincerely regret my earlier actions. I hope you won't hold it against me."
In the past, Violet Devereux would have dismissed the apology outright. It would have seemed futile. Furthermore, if she forgave too readily, others might take advantage of her leniency. But at present, an online crisis demanded her attention. She couldn't afford to squander time on petty disputes, not when she had to tackle that issue and prepare the design draft for the matriarch.
She reached for some paper towels from a nearby table, dabbing at the water stains on her blouse as she spoke. "Ms. Sutton, I will not accept blame for deeds I did not commit. I implore you to refrain from making unfounded allegations in the future. I will find the evidence to clear my name."
"I won't let this incident implicate any of our colleagues at JK."
Having stated her position, Violet turned to Linda, "Shall we proceed?"
Linda nodded, her voice soft as she replied, "We may leave now."
There was a hidden strength in Violet Devereux, a resilience that contradicted her otherwise fragile demeanor. No wonder Mr. Hall was intrigued. Violet Devereux and Linda, under the watchful gaze of the JK design team, ascended to the executive office.
The morning's gossip sparked anew, but Violet Devereux remained oblivious to it all. As they reached the top floor's executive office, Linda paused outside the door, knocking lightly and waiting for the warm, magnetic voice from within to invite them in. Only then did Linda dare to turn the doorknob and usher Violet Devereux inside.
The office was expansive, bathed in natural light, and adorned with opulent furnishings. A handsome man sat poised at his desk, twirling a pen as he perused a stack of documents. Linda stepped forward, announcing respectfully, "Mr. Hall, Ms. Devereux has arrived."
Brady Hall looked up, his gaze instinctively drawn to her slightly damp shirt. His eyes narrowed as he asked, "Why are you wet?"
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