Spoiling the Obsessed

Chapter 60: Pride and Fall

Stella's fury ignited at Clark's brazen words. She had basked in praise all day; how dare anyone belittle her?

She stepped away from him, her eyes cold and filled with contempt. "Hmph, you're just jealous because you lack any real talent! Your mind is filthy, so you assume everyone else is as despicable as you!"

Scanning the crowd with a steely gaze, she continued icily, "I earned my place on the Livia team through merit. Everyone knows that Livia selects designers based on skill, not connections or background!"

As she finished, the crowd murmured in agreement, although some wore expressions of doubt and disbelief.

Cindy, sensing an opening, tugged at Stella's sleeve, her voice urgent. "Stella, Livia just tweeted... they said—"

Stella, still fuming, snapped, "Cindy, out with it!"

Cindy lowered her voice to a whisper. "Livia said they never hired you."

Stella blinked, her anger giving way to confusion. "What did you say?"

By now, someone in the crowd had already opened Twitter.

"What's going on? Why is Livia saying Miss Pearson isn't their hired designer?"

"Goodness, Livia claims they don't even know Miss Pearson. Wasn't it officially announced earlier?"

"Who said it was official? It was just speculation from netizens!"

"So Livia never actually confirmed they were hiring Miss Pearson?"

Hearing the chatter, Stella's anger froze on her face, panic setting in. A sense of impending doom washed over her as she hurriedly checked her phone, the screen showing Livia's tweet at the top of the trending list.

No, this couldn't be happening!

She quickly opened her email, clutching at the last shreds of hope. There was still the message from Livia inviting her to join! With trembling fingers, she hastily typed:

[Hello, you previously invited me to join Livia, but I've just seen that Livia's official account seems to contradict what you said. Has there been some misunderstanding?]

She sent the message and stared intently at the screen, oblivious to Clark's curses beside her. This must be a mistake. Livia surely wanted her. Soon, she'd prove her doubters wrong!

Meanwhile, in the lounge area, Jennifer had returned, her annoyance at being dragged onto the dance floor evaporating as she became absorbed in the unfolding drama. Her mood brightened considerably.

She peeked over at Olivia's phone screen, watching as Olivia typed a response:

[Miss Pearson, aftert thorough evaluation, we regret to inform you that we have found another candidate who is more suitable for the chief designer position.]

Stella received the reply, her heart sinking as she read the words. Desperate, she tried again:

[I don't need to be chief designer; I'd be happy as a regular designer! I really want to join Livia. Please give me a chance to prove my abilities!]

[That won't be necessary, Miss Pearson.]

Jennifer, observing this, couldn't contain her excitement. "Ha! Stella must be panicking now! Olivia, you're so wicked, just saying it's unnecessary without elaborating. She must be going mad!"

Sure enough, Stella replied immediately:

[Do you mean you already know my abilities? Or are there areas where I'm lacking? I can work hard to improve. Kevin has already invited me to join his studio to learn.]