Chapter 18 The First Time Didn't Satisfy You
Xandra almost laughed out loud in frustration as she read the statement.
Vivian's audacity had completely blown her mind.
She had been the one giving Vivian pointers, but now Vivian was claiming the opposite!
Was Vivian counting on the fact that Xandra couldn't provide concrete evidence to refute her claims?
[The new star designer at Russell Jewelry, Vivian Cooper, has already issued a statement. What does the shop owner have to say now?]
[So they used to be friends, huh? The shop owner's jewelry designs were all guided by Ms. Cooper.]
[The shop owner is really shameless, borrowing her friend's ideas and then bragging that her work is original!]
[Ms. Cooper is too kind! Even after the shop owner shows no gratitude, she still speaks well of her.]
[If I had such an ungrateful friend, I'd have cut ties with her ages ago!]
The online community was unanimously condemning Xandra, feeling sorry for Vivian.
Xandra's blood pressure was skyrocketing.
Soon, a new account chimed in.
[Everyone, don't jump to conclusions! I'm a classmate of both the shop owner and Vivian. I swear on my honor that Vivian is lying through her teeth!]
[Vivian is a despicable person with no moral compass, who likes to steal other people's boyfriends! She shamelessly borrowed the shop owner's ideas and then twisted the truth.]
Xandra recognized the account immediately as Lenora's.
She felt a mix of warmth and frustration.
[Let's stick to the topic! Are you saying Ms. Cooper twisted the truth and borrowed the shop owner's design ideas?]
[Do you have any proof? Ms. Cooper is a rising star at Russell Jewelry. The shop owner didn't even finish college. It's obvious who copied whom!]
[You must be someone the shop owner sent!]
[How much did she pay you to defend her?]
The online community wasn't buying Lenora's story and attacked her instead.
Xandra sent Lenora a private message.
[Lenora, it's no use. They won't believe you.]
Lenora quickly replied.
[So we're just going to let them think Vivian guided you?]
Xandra lightly pressed her lips together. [The truth will come out eventually. Vivian's mediocre talent won't sustain her without my guidance. I'll wait and see if she can design unique jewelry on her own.]
Lenora: [You're right, but it still makes me mad! I've never seen such a shameless woman!]
[Not only did she steal your fiancé, but she also twisted the truth, claiming your designs were guided by her! Russell Jewelry will regret hiring someone like her as their lead designer!]
Xandra couldn't help but laugh at the last part.
[I doubt it!]
Russell Group better not go under!
Her newlywed husband worked as an assistant there.
If Russell Group went under, her husband would be out of a job!
"What's so funny?"
Frederick's deep, magnetic voice interrupted her thoughts.
He had just finished his shower and emerged from the bathroom.
His tall, lean frame was wrapped in black pajamas, exuding a lazy yet alluring charm.
"Oh, I was just chatting with an old friend. I'm going to wash my face."
Xandra still felt a bit uneasy around Frederick's proximity.
She set her tablet aside and quickly headed to the bathroom.
Frederick tossed his towel aside and glanced at her tablet, noticing the chat with Lenora.
He wasn't in the habit of reading others' messages, but he saw the mention of Russell Jewelry.
After a moment of silence, Frederick bent down, picked up the tablet, and skimmed through it, his eyes narrowing.
It seemed his newlywed wife was being bullied?
And the bully was someone from Russell Jewelry?
Frederick sat on the couch, picked up his own tablet, and found Xandra's shop, browsing through the jewelry pictures she had posted.
He also saw the comments from the netizens.
After reading everything, he had a general understanding of the situation.
Xandra soon came out of the bathroom.
Frederick asked calmly, "Did you sell the two pieces you made yesterday?"
"Yes."
"And now they're accusing you of stealing ideas?"
Xandra paused as she reached for her tablet.
Seeing Frederick browsing her shop, she figured he must have seen the comments.
She lightly pressed her lips together and asked, "They all say I'm a plagiarist. Do you believe I'm innocent?"
Frederick looked up and met Xandra's clear, honest gaze, and said one word.
"Yes."
Xandra's heart fluttered slightly. "Why?"
"Because I'm your husband."
Xandra was taken aback.
She hadn't expected that answer.
But being trusted unconditionally felt heartwarming.
Thinking of his position as the assistant to the CEO of Russell Group, Xandra asked, "Are you familiar with the design department at your company?"
Russell Group's business scope was vast.
Russell Jewelry was just a small part of it, but it was a leader in the jewelry field.
Many jewelry designers dreamed of working there.
"Why do you ask?" Frederick asked.
"Nothing, I just think your design department's taste in employees is as bad as my taste in friends."
A hint of amusement flashed in Frederick's eyes.
"Tell me more?"
Xandra said, "Vivian is your lead designer at Russell Jewelry, right? She used to be my best friend. But she secretly hooked up with my fiancé."
"That's not all. The jewelry she designed at your company was all guided by me. Now she's twisting the truth, claiming my designs were guided by her!"
"She even pretends to be kind, asking everyone to be lenient with me. Don't you think my taste in friends is terrible?"
She couldn't deny the sadness. After all, they had been friends for over a decade.
She had treated Vivian like a sister, always thinking of her when something good happened.
But her genuine affection had been wasted on a snake.
Only those who had experienced betrayal could understand the pain.
Xandra lowered her eyes slightly, her sorrow causing her eyes to redden.
Frederick felt a strange pang of sympathy.
He gently pulled her into his arms with a long arm.
But he couldn't help but say, "You really do have poor judgment!"
Xandra was silent.
She hadn't expected him to comfort her, but did he have to be so blunt?
His body was warm, with a faint scent of body wash, which smelled nice.
Xandra glanced sideways, brushing against his firm chest, realizing he was holding her.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly straightened up, nervously adjusting her hair to ease the awkwardness.
Seeing her discomfort, Frederick suddenly felt like teasing her.
He leaned in slightly, placing his hands on either side of her, as if trapping her in his arms.
"Xandra, your husband is handsome and good. Why don't you want to make love with me? Was I not satisfactory the first time?"