Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Sophia hid behind Samuel, looking at me smugly.

Alan explained, "Samuel, it's not what you think. This time, Sophia was the one who falsely accused Layla of plagiarism and even tried to physically attack her. The company's punishment is fair and just."

Samuel let out a cold laugh and said, "I know what kind of person my sister is. How could she accuse the wrong person? It must be this Layla who played tricks, plagiarized my sister's design, and then turned around to frame her."

He looked at me with contempt and said, "Layla, I suggest you be smart and resign on your own, so you won't get fired by the company and lose face. Someone like you with no connections can't survive in this industry at all. Cross me, and you'll never be able to make it in the jewelry business!"

I clenched my fists. I might be in trouble here, but I didn't want to give up.

I won the competition with my own abilities and did nothing wrong. Why should I resign?

I lifted my head, looked him in the eyes, and said, "Mr. Larson, I didn't plagiarize, and I won't resign. The company's punishment is fair. I trust Mr. Fields will give me justice."

Samuel laughed loudly and said, "In this world, justice is for people with connections. You're just a little girl with no backing, and you want to talk to me about justice? I'm telling you, today you either resign on your own or get fired. There's no third option."

Sophia chimed in, "Layla, stop being stubborn. With one word from my brother, you'll never get ahead in this industry. Be smart and resign now!"

The colleagues around me were all watching, their eyes showing sympathy mixed with curiosity.

Selina wanted to speak up for me, but I stopped her.

There was no point saying more now. Samuel wouldn't listen anyway.

I felt desperate. Was I really going to get fired? I had worked so hard to establish myself in Silverlight City, and finally found a job I loved. Was I going to lose everything because of this?

Just when I was about to accept my fate, the conference room door suddenly swung open.

A familiar figure walked in, tall and composed with a cool demeanor. It was Matthew.

Why was he here?

Matthew walked straight to my side, his eyes on me, looking worried as he said, "Layla, are you okay?"

I shook my head, but felt warmth in my heart. In my most helpless moment, he had appeared.

When Samuel saw Matthew, his expression changed instantly. "Mr. Brown? What brings you here?"

He clearly knew Matthew and was quite wary of him. The Brown Group was an industry leader. Although Samuel's factory was quite large, it was nothing compared to the Brown Group.

Matthew looked at Samuel and said coldly, "I came to see my friend. Mr. Larson, I heard you want the company to fire Layla? And terminate the partnership?"

Samuel's face became awkward as he said, "Mr. Brown, this is between our company and Radiant Jewelry. It has nothing to do with you, right?"

Matthew said, "It does. Layla is my friend, and I won't allow anyone to bully her. Besides, the Brown Group is about to start a deep partnership with Radiant Jewelry. If you terminate your partnership with Radiant Jewelry, then the Brown Group's partnership with your company will have to end as well."

Samuel's face turned deathly pale. The Brown Group was their company's biggest client. If they lost the partnership with the Brown Group, his factory might face bankruptcy.

Samuel quickly said, "Mr. Brown, this... this is a misunderstanding. I was just being impulsive earlier. Please don't take it seriously."

Matthew sneered and said, "You're asking Radiant Jewelry to fire an innocent employee and threatening them by canceling the partnership, and this is a misunderstanding?"

He looked at Sophia and said coldly, "Sophia, you falsely accused a colleague of plagiarism and had your brother come threaten the company. Do you think this matter ends here?"

Sophia was so scared she hid behind Samuel, not daring to speak. She never expected Layla to know Matthew, and that their relationship was so close.

Samuel knew that if he didn't handle this properly today, he would not only lose the partnership with the Brown Group but might also face retaliation from Matthew.

He quickly pulled Sophia over and said to me, "Ms. Scott, I'm sorry. Sophia was being immature and wrongly accused you. I'll have her apologize to you!"

Sophia was unwilling, but after Samuel glared at her fiercely, she reluctantly said, "Layla, I'm sorry."

"Not sincere enough," Matthew said.

Samuel quickly pushed Sophia and scolded, "Apologize properly!"

Sophia gritted her teeth, her eyes red as she said, "Layla, I was wrong. I shouldn't have accused you of plagiarism or had Samuel come threaten the company. I'm sorry, please forgive me."

Matthew looked at Samuel and said, "Also, an employee like Sophia will only have a bad influence if she stays at the company. I don't think she's suitable to work at Radiant Jewelry anymore."

Samuel quickly nodded and said, "Yes, yes, yes, I'll have her resign right away! Sophia, go process your resignation tomorrow."

Sophia looked at Samuel in disbelief and said, "Samuel! How can you make me resign?"

Samuel snapped, "Shut up! This is all the trouble you caused!"

Sophia couldn't believe that Samuel, who had just been protecting her, was now making her resign.

She suddenly stepped out from behind Samuel, pointed at his nose, and screamed, "Samuel! Are you crazy? Why should I resign? It was Layla who schemed and framed me. Instead of helping me, you're siding with outsiders to force me out?"

Samuel's face turned dark as he lowered his voice and scolded, "Shut up! You ignorant thing, stop embarrassing yourself here!"

Sophia's eyes turned red, tears streaming down as she choked out, "I was wronged at the company, someone stole my spotlight and turned the tables on me. Instead of standing up for me, you're making me resign? I won't! I got this job with my own abilities. Why should I give it up to her?"

She turned to glare at me and said viciously, "Layla, it's all because of you! If it weren't for you, how would I end up like this? You bitch, you must have seduced Mr. Brown, otherwise, why would he help you so much?"

As soon as those words left her mouth, the entire conference room fell silent.

Samuel's face turned deathly pale. He raised his hand and slapped Sophia across the face.

The sharp "smack" made Sophia stumble back two steps. Half her face instantly turned red, clearly showing five finger marks.

Sophia covered her face, looking at Samuel in disbelief. Tears fell even harder as she said in grievance, "You dare hit me? You've never hit me since I was little, and now you're hitting me for an outsider? I hate you!"