"Gladys, where are you off to? Your projects have been starved of funding for quite some time, haven't they? Why the sudden revival?"

“What? You're unaware?"

Gladys, clamping her hand over her mouth, had a moment of realization.

“Ah, of course. You missed this morning's meeting, so you haven't received any project funds. Well... Why did you do it? No matter how pressing the matter, how could it outweigh the importance of project funding?"

“What are you talking about? Do you have funds for your projects?

How much did you obtain?"

"We secured ten million, sufficient for the time being. Other departments also received several million dollars."

Her words reverberated in the department director's ears.

The department director was nearly overcome with shock. He urgently inquired, “Where did the money come from?"

“Naturally, Miss Phillips instructed Chris to return the funds."

The department director stood agape, his voice eluding him entirely.

Staring at Gladys with a sense of disbelief, he couldn't help but realize that Lilah had indeed reclaimed the funds.

He marveled at her extraordinary competence, pondering how she could be so remarkably adept.

Upon deeper reflection, he speculated that Lilah might have dipped into her personal finances, disguising it as Chris' contribution.

Given her renown as a designer, the department director assumed she must have amassed some savings.

While idly perusing the news on her phone, Gladys suddenly exclaimed, “Look at the headlines. Miss Phillips not only recouped our funds but also reclaimed others'. She is truly extraordinary."

Admiration radiated from her eyes.

The other department director swiftly retrieved his phone, scanning the trending news. The developments were cause for celebration among the residents of Eleywood. Chris had owed a lot of people substantial sums for years and it seemed he had finally received a long-overdue lesson.

Numerous citizens openly conveyed their gratitude to Lilah.

The debts Chris owed had wreaked havoc on innumerable families. Lilah had forced him to return the money, offering salvation to numerous households.

“Very well, I find myself swamped with pressing projects that demand my undivided attention."

With that, Gladys hastened her departure.

The department director stood immobilized, perceiving the penetrating, scornful gazes directed at him. Swiftly, he made his way to Howard's office.

Concurrently, other department heads who were absent from the morning meeting received the news and promptly congregated at Howard's door to seek his counsel.