?Chapter 445:


    With venom in her gaze, Kaya shot Charlette a fierce re that could have melted steel.


    Charlette, caughtpletely off-guard by the hostility, stood utterly speechless. Had Kayapletely lost her mind?


    Elena kept her gaze demurely lowered, carefully avoiding any eye contact with—


    Wesley frowned.


    That single frown sent Kaya’s heart racing with panic. The weight of guilt pressed upon her, triggering her nervous habit of rambling.


    Kaya blurted out anxiously, words tumbling out in a desperate cascade, “Mr. Spencer, I deeply misunderstood Miss Harper earlier. My only concern was for thepany’s reputation. Miss Harper hasn’t been with us long and hasn’t handled major projects before—I was merely worried she might make an error, which was why I took the initiative to organize the program revision. Had I known Miss Harper possessed such remarkable capabilities, I wouldn’t have intervened at all.”


    Having wed her way up to her current position through years of relentless effort, Kaya was desperate to preserve her career from the mes of her own making. She stered on an artificial smile, transparent in its attempt to curry favor with Wesley.


    “You certainly change your tune quickly,” Charlette remarked with a cutting sneer.


    Kaya’s smile crystallized on her face as she barely restrained herself from once again cursing Charlette as the most wretched woman alive.


    Several paces away, Wesley observed Elena with quiet intensity. His longshes cast subtle shadows across his eyes, rendering his thoughts and emotions entirely unreadable.


    Kaya secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Wesley’s silence seemed to suggest he wouldn’t pursue the matter further—a merciful reprieve.


    But then Wesley spoke to Elena, his voice stripped of all emotion. “How do you want to handle this?”


    Kaya’s heart, which had just begun to settle back into its normal rhythm, leapt violently into her throat. Following Wesley’s prating gaze, she found herself staring at the silent Elena.


    Kaya said awkwardly, drastically altering her tone, “Miss Harper, I sincerely apologize. I misunderstood you earlier. You’re clearly a person of grace and surely won’t hold this unfortunate incident against me.”


    L?t??τ cнαρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?l?.??????


    “So, if Miss Harper does hold it against you, she’s being petty?” Charlette interjected with a raised eyebrow.


    Kaya gritted her teeth, fighting back the overwhelming urge to strangle Charlette where she stood.


    Remembering what hung in the bnce, however, Kaya swallowed her rage. “Don’t twist my words. I’ve devoted years of service to thispany, always with—”


    Unwavering dedication. Everything I’ve done has been for thepany’s benefit. I’m certain Miss Harper can understand this perspective.”


    Kaya reassured herself that, having made this statement in Wesley’s presence, Elena would hardly dare to pursue the matter further. To do so would only make Elena appear vindictive and small-minded.


    “What if I don’t understand?” Elena retorted.


    Kaya stood frozen, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.


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