Chapter 1205

Caiden's face darkened in an instant, his tone sharp and cold. "Making wild guesses about other people—after all those years in school, is that really all you learned? Did you actually earn your degrees, or did you just buy them?"

Lydia fell silent. She'd only asked a simple question. Was it really worth getting so worked up over?

Standing off to the side, Lydia felt the awkwardness settle in, leaving her at a total loss for words.

Caiden didn't stop. "If you can't say anything smart, then say less. The less you say, the fewer mistakes you'll make."

Lydia tried to defend herself. "I just saw you and Josefina talking and laughing together—you two seemed close, so I asked. I honestly didn't mean anything by it." "Then what are you really trying to tell me?" Caiden shot back.

Lydia stepped back, forcing an awkward laugh. "It's nothing, seriously."

Without waiting for a response, Lydia spun around and bolted, running as if something was chasing her. She didn't stop until she reached the lake, where she pulled out her phone to make a call.

"I tested him. He's super protective of Josefina. There's no way we can get him on our side," she reported, frustration creeping into her voice.

She couldn't help but mutter, "Josefina has all the luck-every guy she meets is more loyal than the last."

Vent finished, Lydia continued, "Cassandra messed up big time. If the school won't tolerate her anymore, do you think she'll actually leave?"

On the other end, the voice finally replied, calm and unbothered. "Don't stick your nose in where it doesn't belong."

Then the call ended.

Lydia stared at her phone, swallowing any words she still wanted to say.

...

Josefina pulled up at the fashion company.

Alex was still nowhere to be seen, and Deanna looked busier than ever.

Lynn shot her a teasing smile. "Deanna, if Alex stays gone much longer, you might just end up with his desk."

Deanna didn't take the bait. She answered pleasantly, "Come on, Lynn, don't tease me. Even if Alex gets a promotion, there's no way I'd be next in line. I'm still on

aver

probation everyone here's got way. more experience and talent thăn do." S

Lynn grinned. "Don't be so humble! You're hands-down the most capable newcomer we've had. We all know it."

Deanna couldn't shake the feeling that Lynn was trying to single her out, maybe even stir up a little jealousy among the others.

It was easy for someone new and rising fast to attract resentment, especially from people like Lynn, who'd been around for years without much to show for it.

Still, Deanna kept her smile sweet and her eyes warm. "You really know how to make someone feel better Lynn Honestly, it's privilegeto have a mentor like you."

She linked her arm with Lynn's. "Hey, how about a spa night after work? I know a

place that's amazing—the staff, the products, everything. You'll love it."

Just a few words from Deanna, and the whole mood in the office shifted back to light and cheerful.

Right then, Josefina walked in. No one felt even a hint of awkwardness.

A little later, Deanna stepped into Josefina's office, carrying a few design sketches and a proposal.

“Ms. Josefina, here's the proposal I

wrote and some sketches I drew Alex is still on leave, so these landed on me. I'm a bit worried I won't do a good enough job. Please have a look-if anything's off, just tell me.

Josefina smiled, accepting the documents from Deanna's outstretched hands. She didn't say a word, just started reviewing them with a focused look.

"Sit down," she said. "Don't just stand there-relax. You've got talent. I trust you."

Deanna quickly took a seat. “Thank you, Ms. Josefina."

Josefina flipped through the pages so quickly that Deanna wondered if she was really reading them at all.

Can she actually process all that so fast? Does she even get what I've written? Deanna's mind buzzed with questions, but she didn't dare ask them out loud.