Emily’s absence was hardly noticed. She was seen as a minor figure by most. Her previous carelessness had caused trouble for others. They <b>were </b>resentful of her and not eager to see her.
The group then proceeded into a private room.
Their sesses werergely thanks to Violet’s contributions.
Inside, many raised their sses in Violet’s honor. She initially resisted but eventually
sumbed to the pressure and took a perfunctory sip with them.
“No way<b>, </b>that’s not enough. You need to consume all the beer to indicate a strong bond, a sip
shows a weak bond. Don’t you want to bond with us<b>?</b><b>” </b>
The crowd egged her on.
Violet was known for her straightforward nature. She gave in to peer pressure and started
consuming beer after beer, despite feeling full and slightly drunk.
Though she had only consumed beer, she soon felt bloated<b>, </b>and <b>her </b>stomach was ballooning<b>. </b>
“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom,” she excused herself and staggered out of the room.
Violet did not hurry back after leaving the restroom. She needed to get some fresh air to clear her
head from the effects of the alcohol. She went out and bnced herself by leaning against the
railing of a wide terrace.
Across from her stood the famed Pzzo Club, whose name was synonymous with opulence.
The massive sign glowed brightly at night, overshadowing other buildings in the area. Due to its
presence, the neighborhood’smercialndscape had changed, making it a central hub surrounded by mid–tier businesses.
It was an unusual phenomenon, but the neighboring businesses had thrived as people flocked to
catch a peek of <b>the </b>elites who frequented the Pzzo.
There were whispers that the Pzzo was part of arger, grand n.
Violet’s gaze dropped, and her focus blurred.
She noticed a group approaching the Pzzo. They were all elegantly dressed, but her gaze was. drawn to the individual on the left, like a ma.
It was Lucius.
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He strolled down the opulent street that surrounded the Pzzo. His demeanor exuded nobility. making him appear even more unreachable than before<b>. </b>
Violet could not take her gaze away from his form, as if she were glued to it.
Inadvertently, Lucius returned her gaze.
Despite the distance, Violet’s heart raced, and she quickly hid. Taking a peek, she saw only the backs of the departing group.
She sighed for no apparent reason. Violet became aware that her heart was thumping violently.
She assumed she had gone insane.
The event was more about drinking than eating. This asion was most likely the most alcohol
she had ever consumed in her life<b>. </b>
Despite being drunk, she kept herposure.
After the event, everyone<b>, </b>slightly inebriated<b>, </b>went their separate ways.
Violet sat at a bus stop. She stared nkly at the passing buses and mistakenly boarded one to
the office<b>. </b>
When the bus arrived at the office, she realized her mistake and got off.
The cool night air intensified her drunkenness. She turned to the 25th floor, where the lights were on. Was Lucius present, she wondered<b>? </b>
As she staggered into the building, she hit the button for the 25th floor almost reflexively. However, as the elevator doors opened, she became lost in her thoughts and did not enter.
The doors shut. She chose to return home instead.
On Monday, after lunch, Violet’s manager called her.
“Return to the office right now!”
Estelle’s voice was grave and uncharacteristically solemn.
Violet rushed back, unable to ask further as Estelle had already ended the call.
Everyone had returned to the office, and the atmosphere was strained when she arrived.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
Upon seeing Violet, Estelle’s face grew more somber. She announced, “Last night, Oberlo Group
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submitted a design to AKK Corporation remarkably simr to ours!”
Violet’s mind shed to a particr design, and her face drained of color.
“How could that happen?”
“Yet, it’s a fact. Oberlo Group did submit it to AKK Corporation.”
That morning, Estelle had personally taken theirpleted design to AKK Corporation, only toter be used of giarism, as Oberlo Group had already submitted a simr design.
Violet felt a cold dread. Was all her hard work for nothing?
“We need to resolve this. Who leaked our design to Oberlo Group? The senior management is
aware and has demanded an internal investigation before involving legal authorities,” Estelle
dered.