Chapter 91
Chapter 91
Jessica's face twitched.
Her usually confident and arrogant gaze showed a hint of terror.
“I think you should just be honest, or this matter will never be resolved.”
A sarcastic voice came from the elevators beside them. Victoria had arrived quietly as she lazily leaned against the wall.
Jessica was so angry that she was trembling.
This woman is Bailey's best friend. How would this matter be easily resolved now that she has gotten involved?
Victoria waved her phone before Jessica and smiled. “As Mr. Luther has gone on a site visit and is not at the headquarters today, this matter may not have reached his ears yet. I will call and have him personally come over if you don't tell the truth.”
Jessica was speechless.
Quentin massaged his brow before walking to Victoria to tug on her arm. “For God's sake,” he muttered, “could you stop stirring up sh*t? Look at how many reporters are here. You'll ruin the company's reputation if you carry on with your nonsense.”
Raising her eyebrows, Victoria snickered. “What does that have to do with me? This company isn't mine, anyway. Artemis should be the one to worry about his reputation. None of this is my concern.”
Quentin gaped at her, at a loss for words. Growing up with Mr. Luther offers one special privilege. She's not even afraid of offending Luther Group.
Pointing at Victoria, Jessica fumed, “You're Bailey's friend. What right do you have to be speaking here?”
Victoria chuckled coldly. Is this woman trying to change the subject? That wouldn't do. I'd promised Bay to teach her a lesson.
“Yes, Bailey is my friend, and I'm defending her. You could call it defending a plagiarizer if it makes you happier. However, there is one thing I must warn you of. Before the trial verdict, you had best watch your filthy mouth and stop yapping false accusations.”
Then, she turned to address the group of reporters. “Under the misguidance of others, this stupid woman has told you that Bailey was in Century Hotel to use you to rattle her. You were just tools used by her for her grudge. A woman with conduct as poor as this is no different from Bailey.”
“Y-You...” Jessica was so furious that her body swayed on the spot. She could not even form proper sentences.
Letting out a snort, Victoria remarked, “You wanted headlines, didn't you? Here's one—'Colleague Makes A Scene: Luther Group's Chief Designer Jessica Tanner Jealous Of Bailey Jefferson And Leaked Her Whereabouts To The Press In An Attempt At Sabotage.' Go back and flesh this story out. I guarantee it will be a hit upon publishing from which you will earn a lot.”
The crowd of reporters was deathly silent at that proclamation.
This woman truly is a sh*t stirrer!
However, the passion with which she defended Bailey impressed Quentin.
What a pure and precious friendship they must share to compel her to defend her friend to this extent.
“That's an excellent idea, Ms. Saunders. We'll go back and do a full write-up according to this draft.”
“Can we really? We mustn't carelessly publish news on Luther Group, or we'll be subjects of a lawsuit. We were allowed to publish news on Bailey without fear due to her suspension from Luther Group. Before her reinstatement, she is not an employee of the company. On the other hand, as Ms. Tanner is the chief designer of Luther Group, she falls under the protection of the company's legal team.”
Hearing that, Victoria waved an arm airily. “Don't worry. Just publish it. I will cover for you if something happens.”
Though the reporters were still hesitating, they appeared appeased on second thought.
They were emboldened by the protection granted by the eldest daughter of the Saunders family, as her family was no less influential than Luther Group. Instead of standing around and accomplishing nothing, they would much rather be rolling up their sleeves and writing a killer article.
Jessica panicked as she watched the reporters leave like a tide ebbing away.
“Stop! Don't go! I was wrong, okay? I beg you not to report this. It will ruin me. You all will ruin me.”
As she spoke, she began weeping.
Though life was devastating, that was the worst of it.
She had even somewhat predicted her ending.
It would anger Artemis if the matter were to be leaked. By then, it would not be as simple as losing her source of income; she would be blacklisted by Luther Group and eventually fade into obscurity.
Quentin gazed helplessly at Jessica, who was seated on the floor howling. “This is a huge pickle, Ms. Saunders. You should explain it to Mr. Luther. Also, please don't implicate the public relations department in this. I worry.”
“How very brace of you,” Victoria spat.
At that, she leaned over and whispered, “Hey, this is what Mr. Luther wants. I'm just fanning the flames. Don't worry. Not only will he not blame us, but he will also give us a raise.”
Quentin was struck dumb with surprise, though he did not quite follow her logic. This woman's train of thought is weird. I've learned something new despite all these years.
“Are you saying Mr. Luther has taken an interest in Ms. Bailey and intends to destroy these women for her?”
Victoria patted him on the shoulder. “Your brains are not beyond redemption. From now on, ignore everything that might happen, and don't attempt to suppress the matter with the public relations
department of Luther Group. Let things worsen and enjoy the show. Got it?”
Pursing his lips, Quentin chuckled. “Since you've made it this clear, I have a feeling you'd tell me to go eat sh*t if I still don't get it.”
It was Victoria's turn to be rendered speechless.
That afternoon, Artemis flung a stack of newspapers onto his curved desk in the CEO's office of Luther Group. “Explain the contents of these papers, Ms. Tanner,” he snapped.
Jessica timidly stood in the middle of the office. Her slender body trembling. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
“I... I—”
Impatience flashed across Artemis' face. Raising his voice, he interrupted, “Even if Bailey's actions are despicable, she is a designer under Luther Group's employ. Before the verdict, nobody has the right to accuse her of plagiarizing. How dare you expose her hiding place to the media and smear Luther Group's reputation? Do you even consider yourself an employee of the company?”
“N-No, that's not what happened. I—”
“Enough. You don't have to explain anything. The facts are laid out before us. I'm not an idiot you can manipulate. I will not fire you as a gesture of respect to your master, but I will temporarily suspend you of all your duties.”
Stunned, Jessica gazed at him in disbelief. “Y-You're revoking me from my position as the chief designer?”
Artemis glared at her for a moment. “I will not revoke your position as the chief designer, though your performance in the coming days will determine your reinstation. However, don't ever dream of becoming the lead designer anymore. Learn to serve with humility under another.”
Serve under another.
Jessica's legs gave way as she slumped down to the floor.