Memories Drifted Like Paper Boats by Zyra Cole 29

Chapter 29 

9%毫 

Edwina chuckled, a hint of scorn flickering in her eyes. “I’m honestly curious to see how you plan to pull any tricks with all this hard evidence right in front of you.” 

Edwina stood firm on the stage, her voice resolute. “I may not work for Design Harmony, but as its partner, Maberly Fashion has every right to keep an eye on its partner’s credentials.” 

She added, “And besides, I’m here for that girl from Maberly Fashion you tried to push around.” Every piece of evidence was solid, and every word hit home. 

Edwina stood before the entire Design Harmony production department and ruthlessly exposed Otis’s hypocrisy, leaving the crowd below buzzing with whispers. 

A steady voice suddenly cut through. “That’s enough, miss. We’ve heard your concerns, but today is Design Harmony’s awards ceremony.” 

“Regarding Maberly Fashion’s issue, we’ll look into it once the ceremony’s over,” the man added. 

“Awards? After everything that’s happened, you’re still going to honor Otis?” Edwina’s brows furrowed. 

The man nodded. “Of course. Otis has done a lot for the company this year. That’s plain for everyone to see.” 

Edwina’s expression grew even colder. She had gone through the company’s books herself. And out of all four production departments, Otis’s department was the worst performer. 

And now, this guy actually had the nerve to say Otis was the company’s top contributor. Edwina thought, “They’re all cut from the same cloth. 

Edwina glanced casually at the desk nameplate of the man speaking up for Otis. It read Roland Prichard, Vice President of Design Harmony. 

‘Now it all makes sense why Otis is so full of himself. He’s got the VP in his corner, Edwina thought. 

Roland said, “Do you really think you can turn facts on their head here with a few photos? 

“No one can tell if they’re real or not. Isn’t it way too hasty to ask me to condemn a department head just like that?” 

He snapped, “Shut down that screen and get off the stage now, or I’ll have security throw 

‘you out.” 

Otis slouched off to the side, his arm in a sling, his shifty eyes glued to Edwina. And he oozed smugness as he sized her up. 

He said with a grin, “Told you, young lady, don’t pick the wrong side. Kids like you never listen and always think better.” 

you 

know 

Edwina shot him a careless sideways glance, her tone cool. “Being young means we can afford to ignore advice. After all, we still have the chance to start over.” 

She turned, her eyes holding a pointed challenge as she looked at Roland. “And you? You’re not getting any younger. Can you really have a second chance at life?” 

“How dare you!” Roland slammed his hand on the table, jumping to his feet. “Utter rubbish.” 

“Security, Get this crazy woman out of here.” Roland’s eyes bulged with fury. “Who do you think you are to lecture me like this?” 

Otis sidled up, all sycophantic. “Relax, Mr. Prichard. Security’s already on their way. This bitch won’t be running her mouth for much longer. 

1/3 

14:55 Sat, Jan 3 DG. 

Chapter 29 

Otis had messaged the head of security, telling them to drag Edina out and lock her up in the security office. He would deal with her personally after the meeting 

Ous thought. As for how to deal with her then, isn’t it just whatever I want? At that thought, Otis couldn’t help but break into a lewd grin. 

Edwina’s expression was icy, She had never intended to let anyone know who she really was when she came here today. 

She figured flashing the evidence would be enough to bring Otis down, but she hadn’t expected Design Harmony’s higher- ups to be this corrupt and shameless. 

Otis lifted his chin. “What are you staring at? Just wait, I’ll show you what’s what. You think you’re clever, but you walked right into the trap. What a joke.” 

Edwina stood her ground, unfazed. She pulled out her phone and tapped Aubree’s contact, starting a WhatsApp voice call. 

Aubree was in her office, working through quarterly reports. Roland always organized these formal awards ceremonies, and she never attended them. 

When Edwina’s name flashed on her phone, Aubree was momentarily surprised before she picked up the call. 

Aubree wasn’t fond of Edwina, but she still kept things polite on the surface. “Ms. Lennox,” she said. 

*Come over to Conference Room 122,” Edwina said. 

Aubree sounded surprised. “Wait, you’re at Design Harmony? You- Edwina didn’t let her finish and hung up right away. 

With no CEO in place, Aubree was the acting president, running things from the executive office. She took the private elevator and headed directly to the conference room. 

Aubree pushed open the conference room door. She heard Otis speaking with a haughty air. “Here they come! Security’s here; hurry up.” 

When Otis saw Aubree, his words trailed off. He hung his head and fell silent right away. At Design Harmony, the person he feared most was Aubree. She never cut Roland any slack. 

Roland didn’t expect Aubree to show up unexpectedly, as she had never been one to attend his events. “Ms. Maxwell, what brings you here?” 

All eyes were on Aubree. She wore a charcoal gray professional suit, and her high heels clicked sharply as she crossed the conference room. She exuded the aura of a high–powered career woman. 

Aubree paid no mind to the others. Her eyes scanned quickly and finally settled on Edwina, who was on stage. So this is the Edwina?‘ she thought. 

Aubree couldn’t believe her eyes. The board really sent a kid like her to run the company? Is this some kind of joke?‘ she wondered. 

Aubree quickly composed herself, stepped up to Edwina, and said, “Ms. Lennox, nice to meet you. I’m Aubree.” 

Aubree’s words left everyone in the conference room stunned. Otis and Roland looked like they had just swallowed a mouthful of shit. 

“M–Ms. Lennox?” Otis stammered, his face twisted in disbelief. “Ms. Maxwell, are you serious? She’s just some young lady. and you’re calling her Ms. Lennox?” 

Aubree shot him a glare. “Shut up.” She then turned to everyone. Let me introduce her. This is our company’s new CEO, Ms. Lennox. Let’s give her a round of applause.” 

14:55 Sat, Jan 30D G. 

Chapter 29 

4% 

55 vouchers 

Aubree shifted her gaze to Edwina and said, “Sorry for the lack of a proper welcome. Your arrival caught us off guard. 

For a solid ten seconds, everyone stood there in shock, until Aubree snapped them out of it and got the applause going. 

With a small gesture, Edwina quieted the room. She pointed at the evidence on the screen, her voice cool and distant. “Ms. Maxwell, please take care of this.” 

Edwina looked totally casual, but the aura she gave off was impossible to ignore. After checking the evidence, Aubree’s face turned grim. 

Aubree had always known Otis was up to some dirty dealings, but she never imagined he’d be this brazen about embezzling company funds. 

Aubree declared, “From this moment on, Otis is suspended from all his duties at Design Harmony and will be investigated. 

“This is a criminal matter, and I’m handing it over to the police. There will be zero tolerance.” 

Otis’s face went ghostly pale, all that cocky swagger from just a second ago wiped out in an instant. 

His legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees, unable to even meet Edwina’s gaze, terror written all over his face. 

“Mr. Prichard, please, help me,” Otis pleaded desperately, his voice cracking with fear. 

“Get lost! Watch your mouth and quit spouting nonsense.” Roland shoved Otis aside, instantly distancing himself and cutting ties on the spot. 

Roland put on his best ingratiating smile and scurried over to Edwina. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Lennox. I didn’t realize who you really were, and I crossed the line earlier.” 

‘What a spineless fence–sitter,‘ Edwina thought. She hated people like that the most. “Roland, am I qualified to teach you a lesson now?” 

“Absolutely! It’s only right for a boss to set their subordinate straight,” Roland replied, his smile dripping with flattery. 

“It’s all on me. I put way too much faith in Otis. Who knew he’d use my trust to get up to so much shady stuff behind my back?” he added. 

AD