Linda looked at Laurence thankfully.
"Thank you."
Laurence blushed and shook his head. "Don't say that. It's my pleasure. I noticed your nervousness… It's my first time seeing you like that."
Linda sighed softly. She wouldn't lie, she was afraid of Ezekiel.
"I like your killer aura," Laurence added with a small smile. "It suits you more."
Linda nodded. "Thank you. Can you… Help me with something?"
Laurence smiled. "Of course."
...
A few moments later, all the models were called to gather at the lobby. They whispered as they stopped in groups, wondering what was going on. Then the doors opened. Adam walked in, holding a file.
The moment Rosie saw him, her heart skipped a beat. She already knew what it meant. She saw it coming.
Adam didn't waste time. "Rosie," he called coldly.
The lobby fell silent.
Rosie stepped forward slowly, trembling. She had been trying hard to maintain her pure reputation until she got involved with Linda. She still had no idea how it leaked. There was no way Linda would find out…
"Yes… Mr Adam?"
Adam opened the file and looked straight at her. "You planned to sabotage your fellow model, Linda. Yes or yes."
The rest started murmuring among themselves. They had already seen the news and felt sorry for Linda. Even the other GL person was fired immediately when the news came out.
Rosie shook her head violently. "No! I didn't...."
"You didn't?" he cut her off coldly. "Apart from the evidence in the news, I personally checked the security cameras. You deleted the part where you did your nonsense, and you dare to lie?"
Rosie knelt on the floor immediately. "I'm sorry! I was wrong! I swear I won't do it again! Please don't fire me!" she begged, crying.
Adam didn't even stop her, letting her shed her crocodile tears. "Get up," he said coldly. "Kneeling won't change anything."
Rosie cried harder. "Please… I worked so hard for this..."
"The CEO has already made his decision," Adam said flatly. "You're fired."
Rosie looked like she would die of a heart attack at any moment. She knew she would become a laughingstock once she got fired.
Some models covered their mouths. Others exchanged excited looks.
Adam turned to the rest of them. "Let this be a warning. Keystone does not tolerate jealousy, schemes, or harming others to climb higher."
His eyes swept through the crowd. "If you try it, you leave the same way."
"Agreed," someone said from the entrance. A woman walked in confidently.
"Lena?" someone screamed excitedly. She was the top model of Keystone, with perfect skin, a gentle smile, and the best catwalk. The lobby stirred immediately.
"She's here…"
"So elegant…"
"She's so tall… what an angel…"
Lena walked straight to Rosie and helped her up. "Please," she said softly. "She made a mistake. Everyone deserves a second chance."
The models sighed in admiration.
Megan rolled her eyes and looked at Linda. "I knew it," she sneered.
"She's so kind…" the model beside her whispered.
"That's why she's different…"
Rosie clung to her arm, sobbing. "Lena, please help me…"
Adam frowned. "Miss Lena, this is none of your business."
Lena looked at him calmly. "Then I'll speak to the CEO myself."
The lobby exploded. Everyone stared at her in disbelief.
"She's going to the CEO's office?"
"As expected of Lena!"
"She's so brave!"
Some models even turned on Rosie.
"You shouldn't drag Lena down with you."
"You're lucky she's helping you."
Rosie cried harder, but Linda wasn't moved. The tears were just crocodile tears. She noticed the two models who had accepted Madam Eliza with her, Ava and Tyler, looking pale and tense the moment Lena entered.
Linda already knew Lena's pure reputation was fake. Not even her friendship with her stepsister could convince her otherwise.
Lena lifted her chin slightly. "I believe the CEO will listen to me."
Claps echoed in the lobby.
"Yehhhhh!"
"Lena! Lena!"
"She's truly an angel!"
Lena walked toward the elevator confidently and smirked at Linda. She did it on purpose, showing Linda how she ruled over Keystone.
She wouldn't attack Linda if Linda didn't move first, but she had to be careful. Her relationship with Ezekiel must not be exposed.
Linda was about to leave when she saw Lena return to the lobby with a bright smile.
"She's free," she announced softly. "Rosie won't be fired."
For a second, there was silence. Then the place exploded with applause.
"Oh my God!"
"Lena is so kind!"
"She really went to the CEO!"
Some even clapped "You should be grateful!"
"Taking advantage of Linda like that!"
"If not for Lena, you'd be done for!"
Rosie lowered her head, crying harder, nodding like a guilty child. "Thank you… thank you, Lena…"
Lena waved her hand gently, playing the angel. "It's fine. Just don't do such things again."
More admiration followed. Linda watched quietly, her expression unreadable.
Lena's eyes suddenly shifted to her. She slowly looked Linda up and down, her lips curling.
"Who's this?" she asked lightly, as if Linda were invisible.
Janet burst into laughter immediately. Rosie followed, laughing through her tears.
"Oh, her?" Janet sneered. "She's the one who climbed someone's bed to get here."
"A shortcut queen," Rosie added.
They laughed "What makes her think she belongs here?"
"She thinks entering the CEO's office is a golden ticket. Almost everyone on the top floor, I've entered there before," another model said.
Linda ignored them and frowned at her phone. Adam had just sent her a message: Ezekiel wants you in his office.
She scoffed and simply turned to walk away.
"Stop there," Lena yelled.
Linda seemed deaf to it and kept walking.
"I said stop," Lena repeated, her voice colder. Lena stepped forward and blocked her path. "I'm talking to you. Are you deaf? I said stop."
Linda finally lifted her head and smiled coldly at her. "Tell me, chipmunk," she said calmly, "who do you think you are to stop me?"
The entire lobby froze. Lena blinked in confusion. "Huh… me? Chipmunk?" She pointed at herself.
People passing by couldn't hold it anymore and laughed. Some covered their mouths. Everyone knew it was the best way to describe her—her voice was tiny like a chipmunk's, and she was always too forward. But no one ever dared to say it to her face.
Lena gritted her teeth. Before she could say another word, Linda had already walked past her.
"You…" Lena was speechless and she hated it.
Megan giggled as she stared at Linda's blank face. "You should be happy. What if the CEO wants to compensate you for what you went through?"
"Stay behind," Lena said.
She forgot to knock as she quietly opened the door, and she heard Ezekiel roaring at the calm Aaron.
"That is why I don't want to see her! I won't forgive you if Mom sees her! She's nobody to know my family. Did you forget she's a bitch I picked from the street?"
Megan froze and looked at Linda in horror. Linda was also shocked but paused, wanting to hear more.
Then Ezekiel added, "No! She ran into my assistant's car, knowing it would lead her to me. No wonder she asked for a laptop! She researched that old woman!"