"I wish Aurora Jewelers the best of luck without me."

Steven harbored a silent wish that she would reconsider. Knowing her as L.P added a layer of complexity to his desire for her to remain.

Nonetheless, he respected her decision and had faith in his own capability to guide the company toward prosperity.

Rumors of Lilah's sudden dismissal from Aurora Jewelers spread Like wildfire on the Internet.

Vida, the mastermind, sat in her chair with an icy gaze fixed on her computer screen. She watched the unfolding drama with satisfaction.

"Lilah thought she could challenge me. She'll soon realize life doesn't coddle the defiant."

"You've hit the nail on the head, ma'am." The assistant was quick to agree, her voice dripping with eagerness. "Lilah was out of line to challenge you."

Vida's spirits lifted as she scrolled through the online onslaught against Lilah.

"She should count her blessings," she murmured. "The role of Deputy CEO was a gift, given her education. Yet, she dared to refuse it."

Her phone's ring cut through her thoughts, her face morphing to seriousness at the sight of the caller ID. Andrew Fowler, the name on the screen, was calling after a long absence.

With due deference, she answered, "Mr. Fowler."

Andrew's voice was clear. "I heard you fired Lilah."

Vida's response was swift. "She rejected the Deputy CEO position I offered. Where else would someone with her education land such an opportunity?" Attempting to paint herself as blameless, Vida hoped her explanation would suffice.

"Really? But weren't you a high school dropout?"

"The times were different," Vida retorted. "Finishing middle school was enough back then."

“That may be," Andrew mused. “But it seems we've outgrown the need for your branch. Effective immediately, you're cut from Aurora Jewelers, and all support ceases." Andrew's decision rang clear, sealing Vida's fate.

Surprise washed over Vida's features. It was inconceivable to her that Andrew would go to such lengths for Lilah. Her attempts to speak were cut short as the line went dead.

Bitterness crept into her tone. "Lilah's pull surprises me. Fine, I'll forge my own path. We've outgrown the need for Aurora Jewelers' brand name."

The transition to independence began swiftly, with Aurora Jewelers' branch into Flores Eleywood transforming Jewelry.

Yet, Vida soon noticed something was off. The design department was thinning out.

She phoned Steven, who was visibly stressed, wiping away sweat. “Our lead designer, Phoebe Mueller, and others are gone. They followed Lilah out the door. There was nothing I could do to convince them to stay."

Vida's hand met the table with force. "The audacity of Lilah, to think she could poach our talent. She's dreaming if she thinks I'll yield. So what if we're short on designers? We'll hire more. We can thrive without Lilah."

The company's recent success had inflated Vida's pride to towering heights.

Steven set out to manage the unfolding situation.