Chapter 52 Joyful
Rachel was taken aback; she hadn't anticipated Sarah's words.
In disbelief, she asked, "Nancy, did you really do that?"
"I didn't! How could I ever hate you? We've been friends for so long. You can't believe what someone else said over me."
Nancy's heart pounded as she choked up, her voice shaking with a hint of hurt.
She then turned to Sarah, "We barely even know each other, and you're judging me? That day, I was mortified, but I knew Rachel had her reasons. The acrylic board falling could have been deadly, so I freaked out. You didn't even hear the whole story. How can you blame me?"
She sniffed,"And yesterday, you bring it up again? I got demoted because of you. If you hadn't posted that photo in the group, would I have been implicated? And you still won't own up to it."
"Let that go, I didn't hold it against you, but now you turn around and accuse me? Sarah, do you have any conscience?"
"Yesterday's incident wasn't my doing. I didn't take that photo, and I didn't mean to bump into Ms. Davis," Sarah cried, "Why should I admit to something I didn't do? I saw you pull your foot back."
Nancy gritted her teeth, "I'm not that malicious. I wouldn't harm Rachel or you over something so petty, especially knowing she's pregnant. Tripping you to make you bump into her? I couldn't do something so vile. If you insist on blaming me, show me the proof."
Nancy's logic was clear and sharp, dismantling Sarah's accusations effectively.
Her pitiful appearance drew sympathetic looks from those around them.
As everyone turned their sympathetic gazes to Nancy, Sarah panicked, tears streaming down her face again.
"I have no reason to harm Ms. Davis. She hired me and taught me so much. I'm grateful to her. Why would I hurt her?"
Nancy seized the moment, "If it wasn't intentional, why slander me?"
"I didn't! I'm telling the truth! Nancy, you're the one lying!"
Sarah, being younger, couldn't hold her ground against Nancy's words.
In her desperation to prove herself, she fell into a trap of self-justification.
She feared Rachel wouldn't believe her and that everyone would think she was evil, wanting to harm Rachel and cause her to miscarry.
This anxiety made her rush to Nancy, pushing her, "Why are you framing me? Why?"
Nancy fell to the ground, looking fragile and pitiful, her long dress hiked up to her knees, hair disheveled over her forehead.
Her first feeling wasn't pain but shame and embarrassment. She slowly looked up at Sarah, lips trembling, "You, you're too much!"
Everything happened so suddenly that Rachel was taken by surprise as well.
Rachel had only meant to thwart Nancy's plan and let Sarah falter, not expecting Sarah to get physical because she couldn't outargue Nancy.
But, was this karma?
She glanced at Carol, who immediately understood and helped Nancy up.
Rachel then mimicked Nancy's previous fake concern, stepping forward, "Nancy, are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital for a check-up?"
Her words felt familiar, almost mocking.
Nancy felt a flash of embarrassment.
All the mixed emotions made her want to tear Sarah apart.
She hadn't caused Rachel to miscarry, but she had been pushed and humiliated, potentially damaging her image and relationship with Rachel.
She choked out, "It's fine. Just a scratch on my hand. I'll get some ointment later"
"Good to hear," Rachel pretended to sigh in relief, trying to ease the tension, "Let's drop it for today. Any more fuss would be embarrassing, especially when Stargaze Gallery needs all hands on deck. I won't pursue whether it was intentional or who tripped whom. It's getting late, so finish up your work and try to leave early."
She looked at Nancy and Sarah, "You two probably can't work together anymore."
Hearing this, Sarah felt a chill, realizing she was about to be fired. Her shoulders slumped.
Seeing Rachel's concern for Nancy, she knew further explanations were pointless.
After all, she had indeed pushed Nancy.
Caught in her emotions, she heard Rachel suddenly ask, "Sarah, do you want to transfer to Planning B or the Layout Team?"
Sarah was shocked, "Ms. Davis, you're not firing me?"
"Stargaze Gallery really needs people right now. With Autumn and Leo possibly having a joint exhibition soon, it'll get even busier. We can't hire someone new on such short notice."
This explanation also gave Nancy a reasonable answer.
Rachel didn't believe anyone's side, didn't blame Sarah, nor pursued who tripped whom.
Nancy, though still resentful, had to swallow her grievances.
"For Rachel's sake, I won't hold it against you."
Sarah's perception of Nancy was completely overturned. She only bowed to thank Rachel and left, totally ignoring Nancy.
Rachel looked at the disappointed Nancy and felt a sense of satisfaction.
But she said, "Sorry, Nancy, for the trouble."
Nancy's pure, pretty face was full of understanding softness. She glanced at the door for two seconds, then her eyes welled up, "It's okay. As long as I know you trust me and stand by me."
Rachel noticed her pause and looked up, seeing a tall, handsome figure walk in.
Steven, in a gray suit, always looked at her with gentle, smiling eyes.
As he approached, Steven immediately saw the bruise on Rachel's elbow, his eyes darkening with worry and concern, "Honey, how did you get such a big bruise? Did you fall?"