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Novel Catalog
Chapter 86
Riley stood there, her jaw tight and her fists clenched. Eden’s words hung in the air, each one sharp and deliberate. She had always been the type to quietly observe, but she had reached her limit. Victor’s rules, the Alwynn Group’s unforgiving nature—Riley knew them all too well, but for the first time, she felt as though she had underestimated Eden.
Eden’s calm, collected demeanor had thrown her off balance. Riley had expected to see a nervous, unsure young woman, someone easy to push around. But Eden was different. She wasn’t just another employee eager to please. She was sharp, capable, and unwilling to be intimidated.
“You think you can control everything, don’t you, Director Bleu?” Riley’s voice was low, simmering with frustration. “But remember, no one stays at the top forever. One mistake, one misstep, and you’ll fall just like everyone else.”
Eden paused her work and turned to face Riley, her expression as unreadable as always. “And you think that your little games will keep you at the top forever?” she asked, her tone unbothered. “In this company, it’s not about who’s closest to Mr. Alwynn or who can spread the best rumors. It’s about results. It’s about capability. And I’m here because I’ve earned my place, not because I’m anyone’s lapdog.”
Riley opened her mouth to retort, but Eden’s eyes, cold and unwavering, silenced her. There was no point in arguing further. Eden had drawn the line. Riley could either choose to respect it or continue digging herself into a hole.
After a long pause, Riley finally spoke, her voice bitter. “I’ll keep an eye on you, Director Bleu. Don’t think this is over.”
Eden didn’t flinch. “I never expected it to be.”
With that, Riley stormed out of the office, leaving Eden to her work. The air felt clearer now that the tension had broken. Eden didn’t let the confrontation affect her. It wasn’t the first time someone had tried to undermine her, and it wouldn’t be the last. But it reminded her of one important thing—she was not here to be anyone’s punching bag.
She sat back at her desk, adjusting her dress and refocusing on the task ahead. Today, there was a meeting with the design team to discuss the upcoming collection, and she wasn’t going to let anything or anyone get in the way of her work.
As she worked, her thoughts briefly drifted back to Victor, the strange mix of emotions she still felt for him. His face, his words, the things he had said. There was so much uncertainty surrounding their connection, but one thing was clear: she wouldn’t let it interfere with her ambitions. She had a life to build, a career to forge, and nothing—no one—was going to stop her.
But deep down, the question remained: Was she ready to confront the past? And more importantly, was Victor truly ready to face it with her?