Chapter 44 Establishing Her Superiority
Nicole looked up and darted an indifferent look at the woman before her. With a faint smile on her lips, she looked at Sabrina, saying, “Whatever you do, you have to face the consequences. If I didn’t come here today, were you going to act one way to my face and another behind my back?”
Nicole sounded extremely calm as she spoke, but her words rendered Sabrina lost for words. She turned crimson with embarrassment, but at the thought of her job, she grabbed the elevator doors tightly and pleaded in a humble tone, “Please forgive me, Miss Lisa. If I get fired by Gardner Corporation, I’ll never be able to work as a designer anymore.” Whatever the reason was, getting fired would be a black mark on a designer’s résumé.
Nicole stood in the elevator without moving as a smile appeared on her face. She said, “I won’t say anything to President Gardner.”
Sabrina had just let out a sigh of relief when she heard Nicole continue, “But do you think no one will tell him what happened today?”
Her words crushed Sabrina thoroughly. She’s right; everyone in the Design Department knows what happened today, so they know that I’ve offended Lisa, thought Sabrina to herself. If Lisa had been absent, she would still have Joanna backing her up, and those people wouldn’t dare to go around gossiping about her. But now that she had been caught in the act, even if Joanna were to side with her, it would be useless.
Nicole gave a light chuckle. Looking at the crestfallen woman before her, she joked, “Could you release your grip already, lady? It’s a little dangerous to do so after all.”
Sabrina also understood thoroughly that there was no hope for her even if Nicole kept mum about the incident. After all, how could she possibly keep everyone from talking about it? She slumped to the ground in despair.
Nicole’s face showed no sign of pity as she looked at the closing elevator door and the woman who sat slumped on the floor. To her, Sabrina only got what she deserved for being unable to hold her tongue. She was going to join Gardner Corporation’s Design Department. Without establishing her superiority, she might hear even more rumors about her in the future. Furthermore, Colton would definitely send Sabrina packing in order for her to join the Design Department smoothly. After all, anyone with half a brain would know who was more important once they weighed up the pros and cons.
After leaving Gardner Corporation, Nicole returned home right away. As soon as she opened the door, she heard the sound of Zachary and Hayden laughing and playing, which slowly soothed her tense nerves. She changed into her slippers and walked inside. With no regard to her image, she tossed her handbag onto the sofa and plonked herself down in her seat, throwing her head back in a comfortable posture.
Seeing how she seated herself, Zachary asked with amusement, “What’s the matter? Did you come across something tricky at Gardner Corporation?”
Upon hearing Zachary’s gentle voice, Nicole finally looked up at him. Breathing a soft sigh, she sat up and told him about what had happened today. “I just feel that the intrigues and plots over there are nothing inferior to those at F&M Apparel.” When she finished her sentence, the nanny at home happened to bring her a cup of coffee, so she took the cup of coffee without ceremony and sipped it.
Realizing what Nicole was hinting at, Zachary comforted her with a smile, saying, “If you feel uncomfortable, you don’t have to go there. We only needed to hand in our design drafts over the years during our collaborations, anyway.”
Nicole shook her head. Looking at Hayden, who was sitting on Zachary’s lap, she moved her butt a little closer to them and pulled Hayden into her arms. “President Gardner helped me a lot with Hayden last time. I don’t want to owe him any favors.”
Zachary knew Nicole’s temper. Once she had made up her mind on something, she would never go back on it. Therefore, he merely said with a laugh, “If that’s the case, then just go there. But if you come across anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, you can just quit by then. F&M Apparel will always be at your back.” He paused for a moment with a smile. Then, he added, “And so will I.”
