Chapter 1284

They hadn't done anything to hurt the company.

"Go ahead and step out. Send Deanna in-I need to talk to her."

"Okay." Alex stood up and left.

A minute later, Deanna slipped in.

Her eyes were red and puffy, and she wore a plain white turtleneck. Her hair was down, framing her face in soft waves. She looked so innocent, almost painfully fragile.

Josefina glanced her way and smiled, just a little. “Sit.”

Deanna sat, shoulders hunched. “Ms. Josefina, I'm sorry. I know I let you down."

Josefina's voice was cool. "You did."

Deanna blinked, startled. Was Ms. Josefina always this blunt?

Josefina started asking a few questions, pretty much the same ones she'd asked Alex.

Deanna felt like she was sitting in a police interrogation room. Josefina's questions came from every angle, leaving her nowhere to hide.

Shame burned hot in Deanna's chest. Her nose stung with the threat of more tears. She pulled a tissue from the box and wiped her eyes.

"Ms. Josefina, I never betrayed the company."

"I know," Josefina said. “I'm asking all this because I want to help clear your name. If it's too much, I can stop."

Deanna hesitated. Too much? What choice did she have? Even if she wanted to say no, she couldn't.

"I'm fine, Ms. Josefina. Ask me anything you want. I'll cooperate."

Josefina leaned forward. “You said you graduated from Berkeley, with a degree in fashion design?"

Deanna's heart skipped. Why was she bringing this up? Of all the questions, why that one?

Josefina's gaze was sharp, almost predatory, and Deanna felt trapped. She wanted to run.

Her hands clenched tight in her lap. "Yes."

Josefina's lips curved in a faint, knowing smile. "That's odd. The head of fashion at Berkeley told me they've never heard of you."

Deanna's mind went blank.

How could Josefina know someone at Berkeley? No way. She had to be bluffing. She had to be.

Deanna forced herself to stay calm. "What are you saying, Ms. Josefina?"

"Exactly what it sounds like,"

Josefina replied. "The school you et

Put on your resume doesn't match

up with reality. Deanna, you lied to the company. That's illegal

Deanna's heart was pounding so hard she could barely breathe. She wanted to

speak but the words just stuck in her throat.

Her whole body was shaking.

"If you're honest with me now, maybe I'll let it go. Think about it."

Tears rolled down Deanna's cheeks. She looked up, desperate. “Ms. Josefina, I'm sorry. I lied to you."

Josefina let out a short, cold laugh. "So you faked your degree."

Deanna hung her head, tears splattering onto the desk.

Josefina shook her head, disappointed. "You're really not honest, Deanna. I offered you a real partnership, and you couldn't even tell the truth about your background. What else are you hiding from me or from the company about the bridal show?"

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Deanna's head snapped up. She shook it, fast. "Ms. Josefina, I I'm not hiding anything else. I've never betrayed the company

Josefina's eyes were cold, judging, like she was looking at a criminal. Deanna's hands trembled in her lap.

"So, are you going to tell me, or should I? Because if I have to say it, it'll be too late. Do you understand?"

The threat in Josefina's voice made Deanna feel faint.

What did Josefina really know?