She clenched her lips, unwilling to give up. “Miss Phillips, I..."

Cutting her off, Lilah said icily, “Can't find the door? Or are you just not getting it?"

“\ihat?" Abia paled, refusing to back down. “Miss Phillips, no matter what, I've given my all for the group. We all mess up sometimes. You can't brush off my achievements just because of one small mistake.”

Abia was ready to endure anything if it meant returning to the Phillips Group.

Lilah found Abia's stance amusing and questioned, "You think abandoning the company without a second thought during a crisis is a small mistake?"

“Abia stumbled, unsure how to respond.

"You bail when the team's in a slump. Now that we're on the upswing, suddenly you want back in. What do you think this is, a trash bin?"

Lilah quipped.

Abia stood frozen, burning with embarrassment but unable to come back with anything.

Lilah continued, “Comparing yourself to Adelynn takes some nerve.

She's got top-notch skills. Can you even compete?"

Abia had no response.

“Adelynn doesn't ditch the crew. She's in it through thick and thin.

Look at her, hustling with customers in the mall. How do you measure up?" Lilah questioned.

Head hung in shame, Abia wished the floor would swallow her up.

"I can't fathom how you've got the audacity to say you want back in.”

Lilah dismissed Abia. "Be a decent person first. As for returning to the company? Go home, shower, get some sleep. You can have it all in your dreams. Now, get out."

Abia felt the sting of humiliation like never before in her career.

Seeing her not budging, Lilah shot a cold remark. "What's the holdup?

Need someone to escort you out?"

Reluctantly, Abia turned and left the office.

In the Phillips family villa, Helga sat on the sofa, sporting a disheveled outfit.

Her hair was all tangled up like a bird's nest and her face had bruises all over.

Her hands were no better, covered in nasty-looking bruises that made one cringe.