?Chapter 179:

    These three seemed sure of one thing—that Vincent would never dismiss the entire design team just for Katelyn’s sake. Yet, they overlooked a critical fact—even if all of them toiled all night on designs, their collective efforts wouldn’t match the quality of Katelyn’s single sketch. Her exceptional talent had won her widespread admiration from many experts.

    Katelyn, also known by her pseudonym, stood at the summit of the domestic jewelry design field. She was in a league of her own—unmatched and unparalleled.

    After a three-year break at her peak, Iris returned to a world where demand for her designs skyrocketed, creating a massive backlog.

    Celia, watching Katelyn with barely hidden envy, couldn’t suppress a mocking smile.

    “Rightfully yours,” she said scornfully. “But if you can’t withstand the criticism, perhaps you should reconsider your methods?”

    Unperturbed, Katelyn offered a slight smile, gracefully tucking a stray hair behind her ear. Her beauty remained undiminished by the simplicity of the action.

    “Bold of you to spread rumors. You know how much Mr. Adams values me,” Katelyn replied, her voice calm. “Aren’t you worried about his reaction? ndering colleagues and stirring up trouble could sh your sry for at least six months. Maybe I should make your time here even more challenging. Do you think you could handle that?”

    Her direct approach caught Celia and the others off guard. As the head of the design department and a favorite of their boss, Katelyn wielded significant influence, and none could evade her watchful eye.

    The two colleagues who had been whispering suddenly looked regretful, while Celia’s expression remained bitter.

    “Mr. Adams has little patience for people like you,” Celia snapped. “You’ve just started here, and already you’re stirring things up. Doesn’t that worry you?”

    With confidence, Katelyn replied, “Who do you think Mr. Adams will lose faith in first—me or you?”

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    Throughout the exchange, Katelyn remainedposed, her confidence evident in her poised demeanor and firm stance.

    Anxiety surged among the two female colleagues, who regretted their failure to apologize to Katelyn sooner. Had they done so, they would have been entangled in the conflict between Celia and Katelyn.

    “You!” A wave of fear washed over Celia as well. Vincent had maintained a professional distance from all female staff, except for Katelyn, during his tenure. It was no surprise then that Celia felt boldly challenged by her.

    Celia’s frustration was evident as she tightly clenched her fists, each small gesture observed by Katelyn. Katelyn’s grin widened yfully, as if she had read Celia’s mind.

    Celia and her cohort clearly aimed to push Katelyn out with their harmful rumors and divisive tactics within the design team. Katelyn resolved not to let their ns seed.

    “I’ll give you three seconds to think it over. Apologize now.”

    Katelyn’s warning trailed off, leaving a palpable tension in the air. Her implied threat only heightened their unease. Fear had a way of ballooning into nightmares, leading many to crumble under the strain of their own thoughts. Katelyn was adept at manipting these fears.

    Her face remained serene, a trace of amusement ying across her features, starkly contrasting with the displeasure etched on Celia and the others. She slowly uttered, “Three.”

    As Katelyn counted down, panic gripped the first two colleagues. The promise of high wages and benefits at Adams Group usually drew intensepetition for positions. Their intention had been merely to bolster Celia’s position quietly without truly provoking Katelyn and getting themselves into trouble.

    Resentment flickered in Celia’s eyes, barely masked. Katelyn was infuriatingly untouchable.

    Why hadn’t she been the target of that earlier assassination attempt?

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