Chapter 89 Watching the Fight
Entering the office, Rachel sat on the sofa, looking at the two disheveled women.
Her tone was calm and clear, "Faith, you go first. Why did those photos fall on the floor?"
Faith immediately explained, "Ms. Davis, I really didn't mean to. As soon as I took that bag, the photos fell out. By the time I saw what was in the photos, it was too late. I was just being nice, trying to give her the photos back, and she rushed over and hit me. Look what she did to me! Isn't that a guilty conscience?"
Hearing this, Nancy looked at Rachel with urgency and agitation, her voice choked with tears, "Those photos are obviously fake. I never did anything like that. My boyfriend and I are in a normal relationship!
Rachel, we've known each other for so many years. You know me best. How could I possibly do something like that?"
Rachel glanced at her. No matter how many times or how long she looked, she felt like a stranger.
On this innocent and pretty face, she could no longer see the charm and gentleness from before.
Only calculation and cruelty remained.
Ten years of friendship—how ironic.
She gathered her thoughts and put on a helpless expression, "Whether I understand you or not, whether those photos are fake or not, this matter has already spread throughout Stargaze Gallery. Unless you call your boyfriend over right now to clear things up."
Nancy froze, opening her mouth. The dryness in her throat made it hard to speak.
Call her boyfriend to clear things up for her?
She couldn't do it.
Steven would never come help her clear things up either.
Her heart sank. What about the "boyfriend" Steven had arranged for her last time?
Could he help her get out of this mess and shake off the label of being a homewrecker?
Rachel saw the calculation and shrewdness flash through her eyes and guessed that Nancy would definitely not be defeated so easily.
Her words just now were meant to remind Nancy.
As for the rivalry between Nancy and Heather, she was happy to see it unfold.
Suddenly, her eyes flashed. Wasn't this a perfect opportunity to push Nancy out of Stargaze Gallery?
She pretended to think for a moment, then said slowly, "Nancy, why don't you go home and rest for a while."
Nancy looked shocked and hurt, as if her heart was being squeezed by something. Her lips trembling, she asked, "Rachel, are you firing me?"
Rachel frowned and sighed softly, "I'm not firing you. It's unpaid leave. Whether it's the photo incident or you and Faith fighting, the negative impact is huge. As the director, I can't just ignore it."
As for when she could return to work, or whether she could return at all, that would be up to her as the director.
"Also Faith, your bonus for this month will be deducted, and you need to submit a written self-criticism." She added, "Both of you go take care of your injuries and fix your clothes."
Faith felt relieved after hearing this.
It was just one month's bonus. She didn't really care.
After all, the money Heather gave her was worth half a year's bonuses.
Not a big deal.
As long as she didn't lose her job.
She gave Nancy a mocking glance, bowed in thanks, and left the office.
Only Nancy stood there motionless. She looked pitiful, but her heart was full of resentment.
Why did only she have to take unpaid leave while Faith just got her bonus deducted for one month?
It sounded nice to call it unpaid leave, but to put it bluntly, it was just a disguised dismissal.
What if Rachel didn't let her come back?
What would she do then?
An inexplicable anxiety welled up in her heart.
The salary from Stargaze Gallery was actually nothing compared to her current quality of life, but the job was stable and served as a backup plan.
Besides, over the years, she had thrived at Stargaze Gallery.
Having come this far, she was unwilling to give up and leave!
But she didn't show it. She just sniffled and looked at Rachel uneasily, murmuring softly, "Rachel."
Rachel felt her patience was getting worse and worse lately.
But as Nancy's "good friend," she could only stick to the principle of finishing the act. She took a light breath, walked over to comfort her, "Nancy, of course I believe in your character, but those photos are working against you right now.
And people's words can be vicious. You'd better lay low for now. Once this blows over, you can come back. I'll always keep that position for you.
Plus, the injuries on your face need time to heal. Faith really hit you hard. It would be terrible if you got scarred."
Nancy heard the genuine concern and care in her tone. She studied her carefully for a while but didn't detect anything unusual. The resentment coiled in her heart gradually began to dissipate.
She nodded, her voice still choked up, "I know you're looking out for me. I'll listen to you and go home to rest. When I'm better, I'll come back."
"Good."
Rachel responded softly, still showing some concern in her expression, "I just don't know who would fake those photos to hurt you like this. Nancy, have you offended someone?"
Offended someone?
Nancy felt inexplicably uneasy and quickly ran through everyone in her mind.
Finally, her gaze landed squarely on Rachel's face, which showed worry and some anger. She paused for a few moments, then slowly looked away.
It couldn't be Rachel.
But after thinking for a long time without any leads, she pressed her lips together and said, "I haven't offended anyone. But I think Faith definitely didn't drop those photos by accident. Last time we had a disagreement,
she's been looking down on me ever since. If she really is setting me up, I'll definitely get to the bottom of it and clear my name!"
Rachel caught the suspicion flowing through her eyes.
She suddenly felt that Nancy and Steven were quite similar when it came to being suspicious.
She took a light breath and nodded, "That's exactly why I didn't put Faith on unpaid leave too. When you're not at Stargaze Gallery, she'll definitely let her guard down. I'll keep an eye on things for you. If there's any news or leads, I'll contact you."
Nancy was surprised. Something seemed to touch her heart. Moved, she pursed her lips, "Rachel, you're so good to me. Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Go to the hospital right away to get those injuries on your face checked. Don't let them scar."
"Okay, I'll go now."
"Okay."
Walking Nancy to the door and watching her leave, the smile in Rachel's eyes faded a bit, though the curve of her lips remained unchanged.
Would Nancy ask Steven for help with this?
When Steven traced it back to Heather, what a spectacular scene that would be.