Chapter 318

The following morning.

T Corporation headquarters.

"I've completed the design you requested, Madam. The digital version has been sent to your inbox," Evelyn said as she handed the printed blueprint to the department head.

Vivienne Laurent examined Evelyn with suspicion. Her eyes widened dramatically when she saw the exquisite design. "You created this alone, Evelyn?" Her voice dripped with disbelief.

Evelyn nodded serenely, her flawless face maintaining its calm expression.

Vivienne scrutinized the design repeatedly.

The blueprint in her hands was perfection. Not even Vivienne could have conceived something so brilliant. The usually arrogant department head suddenly viewed the junior design assistant in a new light.

Had Evelyn truly designed this herself?

"Evelyn, you understand the severe consequences if we discover this isn't your original work?" Vivienne's tone turned icy.

Evelyn met her gaze steadily. "I worked through the night on this, Madam. I can recite every detail from memory if you'd like me to demonstrate."

Abigail overheard the exchange and approached. She couldn't resist glancing at Evelyn's design.

The sight left her speechless.

"Incredible work, Evelyn! This is truly exceptional," Abigail praised, giving an approving thumbs-up. "It blends classical elegance with cutting-edge functionality. I never would have guessed this came from you."

"You flatter me, Abigail. I still have much to learn from you," Evelyn replied modestly.

Evelyn finally allowed herself to relax slightly.

Countless hours had gone into this design. She prayed Jonathan Prescott would approve.

Vivienne snatched the design away with a derisive sniff. "Don't celebrate prematurely. If the client rejects this... well..."

Her stiletto heels clicked sharply as she marched away.

Evelyn ignored the department head's barb. Returning to her workstation, she hesitantly asked Abigail, "How is Olivia... doing?"

Olivia hadn't returned since the incident.

Patricia Kensington's constant presence had prevented Evelyn from visiting.

Nearly a week had passed without news. Evelyn's concern grew daily.

"Olivia's fine. Said she needed time to recover from work stress while battling illness. She'll return when she's better," Abigail explained.

Evelyn felt momentary relief, but guilt lingered.

Olivia wouldn't have suffered if not for her. Would their friendship ever fully recover?

As Evelyn lost herself in thought, Vivienne reappeared in the design department.

She clapped sharply for attention. "Everyone, pause current projects immediately. All designers report to Conference Room A606 for an emergency meeting."

Designers immediately rose to follow orders.

Evelyn smiled awkwardly.

Despite her tenure at T Corporation, she remained an assistant. Assistants didn't attend high-level design meetings.

She stayed behind with other junior staff.

While reviewing project notes, Evelyn's desk phone rang.

Dominic's commanding voice came through the receiver. "Report to Conference Room A606 immediately."

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood!" Evelyn rose eagerly.

The conference room housed T Corporation's elite designers.

As a multinational conglomerate, T Corporation maintained specialized design departments for architecture, fashion jewelry, landscaping, environmental design, industrial design, interior design, and more.

Conference Room A606 occupied the 88th floor.

The lavish space featured vaulted ceilings.

Masterpiece artworks adorned the walls, creating an atmosphere of refined creativity.

Impeccably dressed professionals filled the room - men in tailored suits, women in sophisticated office attire. Their confident bearing marked them as industry leaders.

Evelyn felt conspicuously out of place walking past these luminaries.

She approached Dominic, keeping her gaze fixed forward. "You requested me, Mr. Blackwood?"

Dominic gestured to an empty chair without looking up. "Sit."

"That... might not be appropriate," Evelyn murmured.

She knew her place in the corporate hierarchy. Junior assistants didn't belong here.

Dominic's frown brooked no argument. "Sit down and be quiet."

Abigail witnessed the exchange and understood the CEO's intent.

She pulled out a nearby chair. "Sit with me, Evelyn."

Evelyn reluctantly complied. "Thank you, Abigail."

"Don't mention it. You've been here long enough, Evelyn, and your designs speak for themselves. You'll earn that designer title soon enough. Attending these meetings will only accelerate your growth," Abigail said warmly.

Evelyn nodded and prepared for the meeting's start.

Vivienne noticed Evelyn's presence.

Her gaze lingered on the bowed head before twisting into a mask of jealous fury.

Evelyn had no business attending this meeting. Yet not only was she present, she sat disturbingly close to the CEO. What gave her that right?

The only explanation? She'd slept her way into favor.

Vivienne's contempt burned hotter.

'Enjoy it while it lasts. Once he tires of you, you'll be discarded like yesterday's trash.'

Yet she couldn't ignore the brilliance of Evelyn's earlier submission.

If that design truly came from Evelyn's hand, her talent couldn't be dismissed.

Vivienne suddenly felt the weight of competition. Unless she acted, this junior might soon surpass her...

Fear took root.

She glared at Evelyn, silently vowing to publicly humiliate this upstart.