"It's Adaline."

“Adaline Phillips?" Nevaeh's surprise was palpable.

Given their companies' rivalry, this was unexpected.

Attempting to placate her, Adaline remarked, “I heard about Lilah's new position. It's intriguing how someone who didn't even finish school snagged the director's spot, especially when someone experienced like you was around."

Nevaeh countered, "Mr. Merritt said she was a recommendation from headquarters."

Adaline scoffed. "You think she didn't pull some strings?"

Nevaeh paused, her suspicions rising. The notion that Lilah might have deceived everyone didn't sit well with her.

As the call ended, Nevaeh emerged from her office to find an upset colleague exiting Lilah's office.

“What went wrong?"

“Lilah turned down my design."

“Can I take a look?" After examining it, Nevaeh remarked, "This is quite commendable."

The female designer's spirits lifted a bit. Nevaeh, seeing an opportunity, whispered, “Between us, Lilah isn't from headquarters.

I've learned from her family that she's here due to some powerful connections."

The female designer gasped. “How could our company have someone so deceptive?"

Nevaeh leaned in closer to whisper, “I've been thinking, if all of us withhold our designs, she won't be able to meet her target. That might just be the push she needs out the door."

The female designer nodded in agreement. "We can't let Lilah continue to lead us. I'll rally the others."

Nevaeh's eyes gleamed with resolution.

Meanwhile, Lilah, oblivious to Nevaeh's machinations, remained engrossed in assisting the designers with their projects.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Brenda. It read, “Miss Phillips, there's a slew of new jewelry stores in the First Mall. Would you like to explore them with me?"

Considering it an opportunity both to understand jewelry trends and to better acquaint herself with Brenda, Lilah agreed.

They fixed a time, and Lilah arrived at the mall's entrance punctually.

Shortly, an elegant and poised elderly lady approached her.

"You must be Lilah Phillips." Brenda observed, her eyes resting on the young woman in a tasteful light blue dress. Her cascading hair, radiant skin, and poised air caught Brenda's attention.

"Yes, and you're Brenda?"