Chapter 85
The lights flickered on with a snap.
As the man suddenly appeared, not just the others but even Mathew was stunned.
“Mr. Neil, what brings you here?”
Neil was the big boss of NY, leagues above Mathew’s position as a department manager.
Hearing Mathew’s words, Neil couldn’t help but laugh and sigh of frustration, “Why do you think I’m here? Who did you award this trophy to? Are you deaf?”
Catching the fury in Neil’s eyes, Mathew felt a pang of guilt but didn’t get a chance to speak.
Susan jumped in, “Mr. Neil, Mathew awarded the trophy to me, but Lena was far from pleased. She even publicly questioned Mathew, questioning the integrity of our NY office!”
“That’s right, Mr. Neil. Lena has gone too far. Her submission didn’t even make it past the preliminaries, yet she dares to challenge me here,” Mathew scoffed.
Neil’s expression went from heated to icy instantly, his gaze shifting to Nancy and Judson, supporting her from below the stage.
Meeting Judson’s sharp, hawk–like gaze, Neil felt like he had a bucket of ice water dumped on him. He quickly turned to Mathew and snapped, “Shut up!”
Was this idiot trying to drag him into his mess? He had made it clear that this conference had to collaborate with Lena. Yet, this fool blatantly did the opposite! And to mock Lena before Judson was the height of foolishness!
Mathew’s face fell, “Mr. Neil, you’ve changed. Or do you think I’m wrong?”
Failing even to pass the preliminaries, why bother collaborating?
And after years at the NY office, could they afford to fire him for not choosing Lena?
Furrowing his brow, Neil was about to rebuke when an icy voice cut through, “Right or wrong, just bring out Lena’s draft. Everyone here can judge who’s superior.”
The crowd turned to Judson, who had spoken.
Catching Judson’s warning look, Neil was momentarily speechless. “Yes, this gentleman is right!”
Turning to his assistant, Neil instructed, “Fetch Miss Lena’s draft!”
The assistant nodded briskly, “Right away.”
Mathew said reluctantly, “Mr. Neil, is it necessary to revisit a submission that didn’t even pass the preliminaries?”
About to retort, Neil got interrupted.
“Mr. Mathew, are you avoiding a comparison because you fear it might outshine your chosen winner?” Nancy interjected smoothly.
Offended, Mathew snapped, “What do you mean by that?”
“What I mean,” Judson sneered, “is you’re protecting Susan. Her winning is all thanks to your manipulation. Surprised you couldn’t grasp that.”
Visibly shaken by Judson’s cold gaze, Mathew dared not say more, looking to Neil for support. “I haven’t protected Susan. It is all baseless…”
“Whether it’s baseless or not will soon be clear! Mathew, you know Evergreen Global despises nepotism. If you did favor Susan, both of you can forget about working in this industry again!” Neil’s voice was stern, leaving no
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room for jest.
Mathew’s face soured, dismissing Neil’s words.
Susan had assured him of Lena’s poor skills. Even if they found the draft, it wouldn’t win.
Meanwhile, Susan seemed lost, her gaze inadvertently meeting Nancy’s, who wore a mocking smile.
Susan thought, ‘This must be Lena bluffing! Lena has only returned a few days ago. How could she create a design superior to mine? It seems impossible.‘
But before Susan could gather her thoughts, an assistant rushed over. “Mr. Neil, we’ve found Lena’s draft!”
