Chapter 41 Attack back

The two of them engaged in a conversation, sharing their thoughts and ideas. Stella's boss, unaware of Stella's connection with Joslan Hughes, believed it to be a challenging task that no one dares to undertake. Stella, being diligent in her work, pays extra attention to the matters involving Alina since they have a closer relationship. It is important to establish effective communication beforehand and improve the collaboration between the two in their respective coverage areas.

Suddenly, a dissonant voice interrupted their relaxed and pleasant conversation. Alina and Stella exchanged contemptuous glances upon hearing the voice. Emma approached with several luxury bags in her hands, indicating recent shopping. Without waiting for an invitation, she brazenly took a seat at their table.

Stella suggested, "There's an empty table over there," implying her unwillingness to share a table with Emma. Alina, maintaining her poise, raised her coffee cup and took a graceful sip. Emma's eyes filled with jealousy as she observed Alina's elegance. Emma removed her sunglasses and looked at Stella disdainfully.

"So, Ms. Willis, you've worked hard to secure the position of editor-in-chief over the years, haven't you? Is the Oklens competition a threat to your coveted title?" Emma sneered.

"What's it to you?" Stella responded unkindly.

Emma continued her mockery, "Don't blame me for not reminding you, but she's not even qualified to participate now. It's futile for you to align yourself closely with her; she can't assist you."

Stella glanced at Alina, feeling worried. Why didn't Alina say anything earlier?

Addressing Emma, Alina retorted, "Miss Bell, you dare to flaunt yourself after engaging in wrongdoing. But aren't you overly confident?"

"It seems she hasn't informed you yet, Stella, but it's not too late. If you join me, I might consider offering you the main heel report position."

Without hesitation, Stella grabbed her coffee and poured it all over Emma. Alina, taken aback, never expected such a reaction from Stella.

"Stella!" Emma exclaimed, caught off guard by Stella's unexpected action. Fueled by anger, Emma grabbed her own coffee and threw it at Stella. However, Stella dodged the attack, causing the coffee to spill on the floor.

Emma seethed with anger, her heart pounding. Stella slapped her hand and disdainfully stated, "Emma, spare me your repulsiveness. You're an unworthy third party. Even if I don't get promoted for ten years, I would never stoop to follow your lead. You clearly have an inflated sense of self-importance."

With those words, Stella pulled a dumbfounded Alina to her feet and declared, "Alina, let's go."

Alina allowed Stella to guide her, recognizing Stella's fiery temperament. As they left, Alina spoke to Stella, "Stella, what she said is true; there's uncertainty regarding my participation in the upcoming competition." Despite her confidence, the situation was time-sensitive and required prompt action.

Stella, in a slightly unpleasant tone, asked, "She caused this, didn't she?" Letting go of Alina's hand.

Alina confirmed, "Yeah."

When she hadn't graduated, she used to plagiarize your work, and back then you didn't mind. See, I was right. She was still stealing as a habit.

"Yes, I'll handle this situation, but you should have also made plans early on your side."

"No need for early plans. I had already told my boss that I was only following you. If you weren't participating, then I wouldn't go to Oklens."

Upon hearing that, Alina was shocked. In that case, she had to enter the competition.

Taking a deep breath, she said, "We packed our bags and went to Oklens when the time came."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Even if I didn't participate, I made sure you got connected with an influential designer."

"Alina, you were amazing." Stella's mood instantly improved.

However, Stella couldn't let go of what Emma had done.

In fact, the hot-tempered Stella returned with an anonymous article that directly exposed Emma to the public.

The headline read, 'Third Party Suppresses Ex-Wife's Career and Illegitimately Takes Her Spot.'

The story caused a stir on the internet.

Who was the third party, and who was the ex-wife with a career? Even without explicitly mentioning names, it linked Emma and Alina together.

Emma, who had managed to suppress the initial news, was once again brought into the spotlight.

The internet was filled with criticism towards her.

In the AIG office, Emma struggled, looking visibly distressed.

"Go back and prepare yourself. I'll handle this matter."

"Caleb, I..."

"Sir, there's bad news." Before Emma could finish her sentence, Tomas entered the room again, wearing a serious expression.

"What is it?" Caleb's voice turned even colder.

Tomas glanced at Caleb and then at Emma, who was sitting on the couch with red and puffy eyes from crying.

Tomas said, "The story was initially suppressed, but now it has been leaked, and more people are discussing it."

Caleb finally realized the gravity of the situation when Tomas mentioned, "Joslan Hughes' exhibition was suspected of plagiarism. It matched an earlier story, and there were rumors of malicious competition. The internet was ablaze with discussions."

The previous story, the one about a third party suppressing an ex...

Now that Joslan Hughes' work had been exposed as plagiarism, it served as evidence.

The internet was in an uproar, calling out Emma.

Emma's phone rang, it was Kara calling. She answered, "Kara."

"With the studio under siege, don't you dare come back. And I want to know, did you have any involvement in Joslan Hughes' disqualification?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Emma subconsciously glanced in Caleb's direction.

Regardless of what happened between Caleb and Alina, she couldn't admit her actions against Alina in front of Caleb.

She never expected this whole situation to backfire.

Kara on the other end of the line was clearly furious.

She said, "So you met Master Caleb's wife today?"

"Yes."

"And you had a conflict?"

Emma looked at Caleb again and panicked even more, though she tried to conceal her emotions.

With a firm tone, she said, "I didn't start it."

But now she could do nothing else but deny it.