Chapter 91: The sharp accusations

Elowen’s insides burned with resentment. She wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug smile off her face.

"People like you can only make everything look ugly," she muttered. "I don’t have time to waste on you. Move aside."

"Scared?" Daphne scoffed. She wasn’t angry at Elowen’s biting remark. But she found her reaction amusing.

Elowen seemed increasingly frustrated, yet she didn’t have any explanation to prove her innocence. That only made Daphne more confident.

"Are you worried that people might discover how you really earned your position?"

A murmur passed through the cafeteria.

Elowen’s cheeks burned. "My position has nothing to do with Mr. Knox. I earned it through my work."

"Really?" Daphne tilted her head. "Then why does the CEO give you so much personal attention? Why did he take you to a café alone? And why was he carrying you out like you were his lover?"

"Because I was dizzy," Elowen exclaimed. "He was only helping me."

"Helping you?" Daphne almost laughed. "What a convenient excuse."

Elowen’s eyes flashed. "Watch your words."

"Why? Did I say something wrong?" Daphne turned towards the growing crowd.

"Everyone has seen those photographs. We all can see how close you have grown to Mr. Knox lately. First, you get the chief designer position. Then you start having private meetings with him. You even accompanied him to a party. Now he is taking her out for coffee and carrying you in his arms."

She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "Doesn’t anyone else find that suspicious?"

She looked at the people gathering around them, inviting them to share their opinions.

"That’s enough," Elowen snapped. "You are not only slandering me, but you are also damaging the reputation of Mr. Knox."

But Daphne didn’t seem bothered in the slightest.

"Perhaps you should explain it to everyone. After all, we are supposed to believe you earned your promotion fairly. So tell us, what exactly happened between you and Mr. Knox yesterday?"

"Nothing happened."

"Then why are you so defensive?"

"Because you are making disgusting accusations about me," Elowen snapped.

Daphne gave a short laugh. "Disgusting? I’m only asking what everyone else is thinking."

"He is my boss. We were just discussing the project. It was a professional meeting."

"A professional meeting?" Daphen raised an eyebrow. "How convenient. Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound?"

Elowen’s patience began to wear thin.

"If it was only about work, you could have discussed it here in the office. Why did you need to go to the cafe? If you wanted coffee, there is a coffee machine here in the company. Don’t take everyone for fools."

Elowen looked around.

The crowd had grown larger. Some employees were whispering, while others were openly recording the confrontation with their phones.

She felt trapped beneath their stares.

"Those pictures don’t prove anything," Elowen said, forcing herself to remain calm. "I was feeling dizzy. Mr. Knox helped me because I couldn’t stand properly. He took me to the hospital. That’s all."

Daphne could see the crack in her composure. She felt a surge of triumph.

"You said you were dizzy. If that was really the case, he could have simply called an ambulance. He didn’t have to carry you all the way out of the café. Don’t you think that kind of behavior looks a little too intimate for a boss and his employee?"

"Think whatever you want," Elowen snapped back. "But your assumptions can’t change the truth. And the truth is that nothing is going on between Mr. Knox and me."

"Perhaps you are telling the truth. But the scandalous rumors have already spread throughout the office. Everyone has seen the post. People are questioning your relationship with him. You may silence me. But can you silence everyone?"

Elowen’s face turned pale with anger.

"You are a married woman, Elowen. Don’t you think you should be more careful? It’s your carelessness that has given the people a reason to talk."

The mention of her marriage made Elowen stiffen. "Don’t bring my marriage into this."

"Why not? Does your husband know about your little meetings with the CEO?"

"My husband knows exactly where I was and why I went there."

"Does he know Mr. Knox carried you in his arms?"

"That’s none of your business."

"Perhaps it should be everyone’s business if our CEO is giving preferential treatment to an employee because of a personal relationship."

The murmuring grew louder.

Daphne could barely hide her satisfaction. She had wanted this confrontation. She had wanted Elowen to lose her composure in front of everyone. And now, with so many people watching, the accusations seemed to be working.

Elowen glanced at the phones pointed in her direction. Her throat tightened.

No matter how many times she explained herself, Daphne twisted every answer into something suspicious. She had no way to prove that nothing had happened.

The photographs were real, even if the story behind them was not.

For the first time, Elowen felt helpless.

She had worked hard to establish herself as a designer. She had endured setbacks to reach this position. Yet a few carefully chosen photographs were enough to make people question everything she had achieved.

Her eyes began to sting. She refused to let the tears fall.

"You are deliberately trying to ruin my reputation," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "I don’t know what your problem with me is, but you have no right to make these accusations."

"I am trying to ruin your reputation? Are you serious?" Daphne’s smile widened. "You were the one who was sitting so close to Mr. Knox at the café. You were in his arms. And you are blaming me? Elowen."

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Your own actions brought this attention upon you. If you don’t want people talking about you, stop giving them a reason. Instead of getting angry at me, you should introspect."

"I know what I’m doing," Elowen retorted. "It’s you who are making things ugly. You’ve twisted the facts based on a few photographs and spread lies about me."

"I spread lies?" Daphne stepped closer, her expression turning hostile. But before she could say anything further, a deep voice suddenly pierced the tension.

"Is there a reason everyone has gathered here?"

The crowd fell silent. Everyone turned.

Theron Knox stood at the entrance, his expression unreadable. Antony was a few steps behind him.