The Innocent Girl Who Stole His Heart

Chapter 13

Have you ever been in a situation where you pleaded with the ground to open widely and swallow yourself whole? Have you ever felt a shock so profound it made you want to pee your panties? Have you ever witnessed a moment so utterly perplexing it left you speechless?

Well, that is precisely my situation right now. Staring across the opulent conference room, I saw him: my one-night stand, Adrian, seated confidently in the CEO's chair.

Words failed me. They simply couldn't explain or express the tidal wave of emotions that crashed over me, or the strange paralysis that held me rooted to the spot. I stood there, utterly transfixed, wondering if I was hallucinating, if it was just an illusion, or perhaps a trick of my blurry imagination.

But no. It was true. Real. Genuine. The serpent himself sat right in front of me.

"Neeve, why aren't you moving an inch?" James's voice cut through my stupor.

"Is that man sitting in the CEO's spot the chairman of this company?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper, needing to be sure. Maybe he was just an acting CEO, a temporary placeholder.

"Of course, that's Adrian," James replied, a hint of admiration in his tone. He's the young CEO of this company. "And he's not arrogant as some describe him; he's actually the most gentle guy ever!" James practically gushed, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil.

"I see," I hummed, the sound hollow even to my own ears.

I tried my best to remain unseen by the CEO, sinking into my seat as gently as possible, my head bowed low. James, meanwhile, strode confidently to the front, taking a seat right next to Adrian.

Adrian had already seen me, of course, but he chose to play blind for a while. A wicked smile played on his lips. He already had a perfect plan to utterly disgrace me, and the thought of it sent shivers, cold and thrilling, all over him.

"Is this what you all have gotten?" Adrian's voice boomed, sharp and cutting, as he flipped through the pages of the designated dress drafts arranged on his polished table. He flung them away in disgust. "These designs suck! They can't possibly enter the global market. Who would order for them, huh? No elite would be willing to buy such trash!"

He glared into the room. "You all have big heads but empty brains! "You call these trash designs?" His gaze swept over the discarded papers, finally landing on a particular design. It was, undoubtedly, the worst among them all. He checked the name on it, his voice rising in an angry roar. "Neeve Sphetti, who is this i***t?"

Perspiration immediately beaded across my forehead, slick and cold. This guy… how could he possibly be the CEO? Remembering every single curse I had ever laid upon him, I knew he would seize this chance to get back at me, to give me the most humiliating moment imaginable.

"Who the hell is this b***h?" Adrian roared again, his eyes blazing, glaring at the offending paper with utter disdain.

Before I could spring up and answer the furious Adrian, James stood on my behalf, speaking quickly. "She's the newly transferred designer from the 13th floor…"

"I didn't ask you, Director James," Adrian cut him off sharply. "Doesn't she have a mouth? Can't she speak for herself? "Is she dumb?" He deliberately hurled the insult, his eyes fixed on me.

I slowly stood up as James sank back into his seat. "Am… am… Neeve," I stammered, my voice weak and nervous.

"Did you design this trash?" He flung the papers into the air, letting them flutter to the floor.

"I am the designer who designed the dress… but sir, it isn't trashed!" I flared up, a spark of defiance igniting within me.

"Oh, so I'm blind and can't identify between trash and worthy designs?" he sneered.

"I'm not disputing that fact, I'm just trying to tell you what I designed is worth it!" I retorted, gaining a little courage. I had sleepless nights drafting out these designs! "How cruel are you to call them trash?" I snapped, my frustration finally bubbling over.

Adrian turned towards Director James, his expression cold. "I wonder what qualities this rude woman possesses that made you transfer her to the 200th floor. "Such a senseless and arrogant b***h shouldn't be a worker on the 200th floor." He scoffed, clearly irritated.

"The CEO, Miss Neeve, has qualities. "However, could you please give her a chance here on the 200th floor?" D-James pleaded, a desperate note in his voice. "Please don't judge her too quickly."

"So, D-James, you're asking me to keep people like this in my company?" Adrian's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Mere looking at her, she doesn't deserve to be called a designer." Who knows whether these designs she claimed to create are someone else's, copied? That's why she drew them so ugly and irritating. "If one looks at her f*****g designs for long, he or she may go blind!" Adrian deliberately tainted my image, his words sharp as daggers.

"Mr. CEO, don't slander people you know nothing about!" I shot back, my anger mounting. "How could you tarnish my innocence and accuse me of copying other people's work?"

"I'm talking! "How dare you talk back?" Adrian roared, his face darkening. "This rude woman is fired!" He slammed his hand on the table, causing everyone in the room to shrink back in their seats.

"This meeting is adjourned!" The CEO sprang up, and Stephen, his assistant, followed him, carrying his laptop. The other staff quickly dispersed, leaving me frozen on my spot.

James scurried over to me. "You shouldn't have talked back at the CEO."

"If you're here to pacify me, I beg your pardon," I scoffed, my voice laced with bitterness.

"I know the CEO used unpleasant words to describe you and your designs, but still, he is your superior. "You shouldn't have talked back." James tried to reason.

"So I should just watch him libel my innocence?" I asked sarcastically, my chest heaving with indignation.

"Eat chill, Neeve…" James exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I'll talk it out with Adrian when he's calm… and get back to you."

"Alright," I mumbled, then turned and walked to my desk.