Old man...
Su Lingzhi recalled that the phone number left in Fu Yinli's suit was Housekeeper Zhao's.
The only person who had seen and dealt with that client information was Katie, the leader of Group Two in the Pattern Department.
After sweeping up the broken glass, Su Lingzhi took a bottle of mineral water and returned to her workstation.
While considering how to handle this matter, Katie from the Pattern Department came over with the suit, saying, "The client said he wants you to deliver it personally for a fitting."
Su Lingzhi coldly questioned, "The rumors about me in the office, they were started by you, weren't they?"
Katie remained expressionless, "What rumors? I don't know anything about them."
"You're the only one who accessed the client's information; if it wasn't you, then who else?"
Upon hearing this, Katie appeared flustered but continued to deny, "The client's order..."
She stammered for a while without making any sense.
Then, under Su Lingzhi's gaze, Katie bluntly responded, "I merely told them that your client is an old, wealthy man who dropped two million British Pounds for you to design a suit. What's wrong with that?"
From the start, taking on this design opportunity had stirred up much controversy, especially from the menswear design team. What she said was likely done to fuel the flames.
Su Lingzhi frowned and said sternly, "The Madame assigned this order to me for design. What do you mean by saying he dropped two million British Pounds on me..."
She paused, seemingly realizing something, and her thoughts became completely disordered.
Katie retorted, "Our most expensive suit at Lyrae costs just over two million British Pounds, and that was personally designed by a former creative director. You're just an intern. Are you saying your fame could surpass that of Lyrae's former creative director? Do you take us all for fools?"
She wasn't clear about Lyrae's order history; however, it was common for a big brand like Lyrae to receive large design orders, so she didn't see anything strange about it.
Yet, Katie's reminder made it seem like something was on the verge of coming to light.
Su Lingzhi frowned, "Even so, you shouldn't maliciously speculate and insult my relationship with the client."
"That has nothing to do with me." With that, Katie glanced at her disdainfully, tossed the suit aside, and walked away.
Su Lingzhi bit her lip as she watched Katie's back, feeling as if she'd hit a pillow with her fist.
At this point, there was nothing she could explain.
She initially thought Rika valued her, which was why she got such an opportunity, so she didn't think much of it at the time. Now, thinking it over, perhaps Fu Yinli's order was specifically directed at her.
Yet, they'd only had a brief encounter on the street back then; how did he know she worked at Lyrae?
Su Lingzhi stared absentmindedly at the suit on the table, her breath seemingly disordered.
Before she could clarify the truth, the rumors grew fiercer and somehow reached Rika's ears.
...
That afternoon, Rika called Katie, the Pattern Director, and Su Lingzhi to a meeting room.
Aside from Su Lingzhi, the other two stood nervously in front of Rika.
"Sit down," Rika said, her gaze landing on Katie, difficult to read.
The Pattern Director presented Katie's resume and performance at Lyrae, "Madame, here is the information you requested."
Rika glanced over Katie's resume and performance, and said softly, "High school education, twelve years at Lyrae, a veteran in our company, about to be promoted, yet why such a loose tongue?"
As soon as she spoke, Katie's face turned pale, a sense of foreboding arising.
Su Lingzhi also understood why Rika had suddenly called the three of them to the meeting room.
Rika continued, "If you have any dissatisfaction with the task I gave Lindie, you could have come directly to me. Now, you've turned the workshop into a complete mess; maybe you're satisfied, but I'm not."
"Ma-..."
Katie wanted to explain, but was immediately overwhelmed by Rika's aura, "I won't tolerate any vile language associated with my brand!"
Faced with that intense gaze, Katie's face turned ashy, her voice tense, "I... I didn't."
"You are fired. The rumors you spread in my studio today will become a stain on your job search."
Every word was articulate and clear, obviously Rika was angry.
Katie felt entirely cold and begged, "No, I'm sorry. I can't lose this job, please give me another chance."
"Do you think I'll keep someone so scheming, who caused such a mess, in my company?" Rika looked at the Pattern Director, "In the future, I don't want to see any rumors in the studio."
The Pattern Director nodded in agreement, "Understood."
Rika didn't even spare Katie a glance, turning to leave with Su Lingzhi.
Katie was left in the office, pleading bitterly, asking the Pattern Director to intercede for her.
But the Pattern Director wanted nothing to do with someone like her, "You'll have to bear the consequences of your own mistakes. Go to Human Resources and process your termination."
"You know my situation. I wasn't born into wealth; everything I've achieved is through my effort. Now I have no support, and a child to raise; I really can't afford to lose my job."
"When you caused trouble, why didn't you think of the child? You knew Lindie was Rika's person, yet you provoked her."
"I'm sorry, I was blinded by jealousy, couldn't stand an intern flaunting themselves here, I beg you, please help me."
The Pattern Director found it hard to bear this emotional plea and eventually said, "I can't help you with the firing, but maybe if you go outside, admit your mistake, and apologize to Lindie publicly, Rika won't blacklist you in the industry."
Katie fell silent...
...
In the General Management office, Rika poured a cup of tea and handed it to Su Lingzhi, "Sorry for what you've been through."
Su Lingzhi shook her head, piecing together the entire situation.
Whether or not Fu Yinli specified her to design that suit didn't matter anymore; what mattered was Rika's attitude towards her, which clearly surpassed a superior-subordinate relationship.
Rika had initially picked her during the England Designer Competition, helped her adapt to the environment here, involved her in haute couture fashion design, and introduced her to England's elite circles.
All the treatment she received was better than any other colleague in the company.
Now, she had gone to great lengths for her, a mere intern of less than two months, expelling a pattern leader who had been there for twelve years.
They weren't related in any way; why was Rika so unconditionally good to her?
"Madame, why are you so good to me?" Su Lingzhi asked aloud.
Rika's eyes held a warm smile, and after a silent pause of three or four seconds, she said, "Because you're a talent I've chosen, how could I let my people bully you? Besides, when fate connects, naturally one would treat you well, just like how Mrs. Thomson found you instantly likable last time."
Such a mystical explanation left Su Lingzhi speechless.
Su Lingzhi no longer fixated on it, stepping forward to hug her, feeling grateful, "No matter what, thank you, Madame, for your kindness."
"It's what should be done. How's the progress on the suit? The Pattern Department hasn't caused you any trouble, has it?"
Su Lingzhi shook her head, "No, they haven't."
"Alright then, you can go back to work."
Su Lingzhi didn't leave immediately but looked at her pleadingly, "Madame, about Katie, could you show some leniency?"
Rika seemed surprised, "You're pleading for her?"
"I just think her mistake hasn't reached the point of being blacklisted so severely."