"I'm in charge here, and I will deal with this," Joseph asserted.

Tension hung in the meeting room for a spell, the other designers keeping mum, their eyes glued to the unfolding drama.

They weren't happy. Nevaeh's deeds were a serious breach of ethics.

Letting her go seemed right, yet Joseph wanted her to stay.

Relief washed over Nevaeh. Her connection to Joseph was her safeguard.

She knew she was untouchable with him in her corner. A smug sense of triumph took hold, and she boldly met Lilah's eyes, her look saying, "I got away with it. There's nothing you can do.”

“Mr. Merritt, given your decision, I'm left with no other option.”

Lilah finally spoke up, her voice steady.

A smirk crossed Joseph's face; he believed Lilah had accepted her defeat.

"I'll be taking this up with our superiors of the headquarters. It appears you're not fit for your role as the CEO of the branch."

"What?"

Anger contorted Joseph's features. "You're trying to get me sacked?

Go ahead, give it your best shot!"

He stormed out, fury in his wake.

After all his years at the company, the idea that the superiors would let him go over one designer seemed ludicrous to him.

Nevaeh hurried out after Joseph. The remaining designers looked anxiously at Lilah and questioned, "Miss Phillips, are you serious about this?"

"Absolutely. Unity and fairness are what Aurora Jewelers stands for,"

Lilah confirmed.

Yet, despite her words, apprehension lingered among the designers.

Was Lilah truly capable of ousting Joseph?

The rest of the day was tense, with everyone dreading news of Lilah's dismissal at any minute. But as the day neared its end, an email from the company's headquarters arrived. Joseph had been let go, and Lilah was stepping in as the new CEO. Relief swept through many, and respect for Lilah deepened.

Nevaeh, meanwhile, remained seated, her complexion ashen.

When Lilah emerged from her office heading upstairs, a group of her colleagues trailed behind.

Joseph was in the midst of packing up when he saw Lilah. His sneer was bitter. "I guess I didn't give you enough credit. Did you use your charm on someone higher up to get where you are?"