Chapter 541
Chapter 541:
Tessa turned to Yelena, her voice tinged with worry. “Yelena, do you think Frieda’s really going to die p>
Yelena nodded gravely. “Yes, her illness is severe. Without surgery, her days might be numbered. Even if she opts for the operation, the odds are stacked against her. It’s like a coin toss—she might buy herself more time, or she could lose everything on the operating table p>
Tessa’s heart clenched. Her eyes welled up, and a tear slipped down her cheek before she hurriedly wiped it away.
“How tragic!” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “I just wish she could have a little more time. At least then, she could leave her daughter with fewer regrets, more moments to treasure p>
Yelena watched Tessa carefully, sensing shadows of a painful memory stirring within her. It felt as though Tessa was reliving an ache from her own past, something eerily akin to Frieda’s plight. But Tessa said nothing of it, and Yelena chose not to pry.
Back at the company, the air was heavy with unspoken anticipation. Colleagues in the design department exchanged conspiratorial glances, their faces alight with the thrill of impending drama. A few darted off to rap on Lynn’s office door, eager to announce Yelena and Tessa’s return.
No sooner had the news reached Lynn than she swept out of her office like a storm brewing on the horizon. Her presence was as commanding as a queen on the warpath.
“Yelena, do you recall the promise you made to me?” Lynn demanded, her tone sharp enough to cut glass.
“Of course,” Yelena replied, her voice calm and unwavering.
Lynn had expected hesitation, perhaps even pleading, but Yelena stood her ground with surprising grit. Still, Lynn was not one to be easily swayed.
“Then pack your things and leave,” Lynn said, her tone icy. “I won’t say it twice p>
𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 — 𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣:
Yelena blinked at Lynn, as if she’d just heard the most absurd jest.
“Excuse me? And why, exactly, do I need to leave?” Lynn’s face contorted between amusement and fury, as though she couldn’t decide whether to laugh or scold. “Don’t play coy. Why don’t you tell me what you’ve been up to p>
“We were securing a collaboration with Ms. Morphew,” Yelena answered, her calm demeanor unshaken.
“And did you succeed?” Lynn asked, her tone dripping with skepticism.
“I did,” Yelena replied without missing a beat.
Lynn let out a sharp laugh, a sound tinged with disbelief. “Yelena, you’re smarter than this—or so I thought. Even if you think it’s a success, it won’t mean much without the signed contract. Besides, without the client’s payment, it doesn’t really count, no matter what you say.” But Yelena’s knowing smile sent a shiver of unease racing down Lynn’s spine.
Could it be… Had Yelena really succeeded?
“Impossible,” Lynn thought.
“Yelena, this is just nonsense! Frieda already sent me a message, upset and saying she’ll never work with the Harris Group again. What exactly did you say to her to make her so angry p>
Yelena’s expression hardened. “We didn’t provoke her. Someone else might know why she’s upset p>
Her gaze flickered toward Bella, who responded with a smile as sweet as honey yet just as insincere.
After all, Yelena had chosen to shroud her true identity in secrecy within the company. That decision, whether wise or foolish, was a burden she alone had to bear. If her concealment led to her downfall, she would have no one but herself to blame. It was a path she had chosen, one that did not involve or implicate anyone else.
Naturally, Bella distanced herself from the matter entirely—it was, as far as she was concerned, none of her concern.
“Don’t shift the blame,” Bella chimed in. “Your failure is your own p>