Hearing Erika’s accusation, Serena let out a cold snort in her heart and retorted, “Trika, how could you prove I plagiarized yout Clearly, you stole my desig
“You’re lying. That’s my original work. You’re trying to frame me,” shouted Erika,
Serena smiled, “Oh? Is that so?” She calmly turned to her computer and opened a new file.
“This is the second version of my design, the one updated lost night. It’s a more refined version of the original. Looks like when you stole my work, you
didn’t get to see the latest one.”
On the screen, the second version of the design temaled a more sophisticated touch. The lines were smoother and more delicate, and the entire piece exuded a vibrant sense of life. The refinements were evident,
Enka’s face turned ghostly pale. She hadn’t expected Serena to have kept a backup card. She stammered, “No. That’s not possible.”
Stacey watched Enka’s performance with growing disgust. She had always been aware of Erika’s character flaw, but she didn’t think she’d be this
foolish
Stacey said coldly. “Erika, do you have anything else to say for yourself?
Realizing she had no way out, Erika turned to Stacey and pleaded, “Ms. Mosher, I was wrong. Please give me one more chance I swear, neverla
Erika had spent so much time buttering up Stacey in the past. Though Stacy disliked her flattery, she’d usually let it slide.
“This is your first major offense. Consider this a warning” Stacey said her pause. “But if it happens again, you’re fired.”
Serena wasn’t satisfied with the result. She protested, “Ms. Mosher, I don’t think a warning is enough. Last time, Erika deliberately deleted my project files and tried to frame me. It was only thanks to the security footage that I cleared my name.
“And now she’s escalated to stealing my designs. What’s next? If you let her off so easily, what kind of message does that send? A warning is far from
enough”
Stacey’s brows knit together. She knew Serena had a point but was reluctant to let the matter blow up further. “What do you want, ther
“I request that Erika be fired,” said Serena firmly.
Erika gripped the design papers tightly, trying to explain, “Ms. Mosher, L… I just.. I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t mean to actually steal her drafts…
She reached out to bug at Stacey’s sleeve, but Stacey subtly stepped aside, avoiding the contact. Erika glancedup, trying to read Stacey’s expression.
Stacey was silent for a moment. She looked at Erika’s panic–stricken face, then at Serena’s calm but firm stance. A
Thesitation Bickered in her eyes.
Finally, Stacey announced, “Enough. What Erika did was clearly wrong, but she has a decent performance record with the team. Let’s give her one last
chance.”
Serena’s heart sank with disappointment upon heaping Stacey’s decision, but she kept her tone even. “Ms. Mosher, if that’s your decision, I’ll respect it. But I have one condition
She turned to Erika and continued. “Since you made the mistake, you need to take responsibility. I expect a formal apology”
Erika’s face drained of color. Her eyes darted back and forth as she thought, Apologice to Serena? That’s worse than being fired. Who does she think she
But under the weight of so many eyes watching, Erika had no choice. Forcing herself to nod, she muttered, “I was wrong. Serena, I’m sorry: lacted Impulsively. I promise it won’t happen again.”
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12.39 Wed, 16 Jul
Chapter 44
Serena smiled faintly, her bone tinged with mockery. “I hope you really mean that. Just make sure it’s not for show. Aber all, people’s loleranca int’s permission for you to cross their boundaries again and again.”
She turned to Stacey, her voice steady. “Ms. Mosher, I hope our team can operate with clearer boundaries. As designers, the effort and respecte put into our work should never be taken lightly.”
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