abcnovels
Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Mia shook her head. You haven’t cleared my tests yet, you’re not part of my team, and I won’t assign
you any work.
She paused before throwing a half-hearted offer. “But if you’re bored and willing… you could help us
out with fetching things and running errands.”
Td rather not!” Seraphina responded emphatically. I’m a perfumer. I know my professional boundaries
and responsibilities. Doing menial tasks isn’t beneath me, but these aren’t a part of my job.”
After a pause, she continued with a light smile. “Ms. Lawson. I’ll await your tests since you require
three days to determine the content and have no work for me. However, do note. if you fail to arrange a
test within the allotted time. I’ll take that as an automatic
pass.”
Seraphina’s stubbornness had taken Mia by surprise. She expected Seraphina would readily cave to
become a mere errand-girl. The fact that she declined outright was unexpected. Mia recognized how
important a perfumer’s refined hands and nose were: they were tools that needed to be treated with
respect. But here was Seraphina, despite proving desperate earlier. now holding her ground. Though
aggravated, Mia found herself seeing Seraphina in a new light.
Seraphina exited the organization. drawing curious gazes. Colleagues, oblivious to her conversation
with Mia anticipated the worst as they watched her step out. Rumors spread, suggesting a
disagreement or even that Mia might have just dismissed her.
Unperturbed by the gossip. Seraphina focused on addressing the issues arising from her fallout with
Julian. As she slid into her car, a call came through from an unfamiliar number.
Hello, Ms. Seraphina Jones?” A strange yet polite male voice asked.
For a moment. Seraphina was taken aback before responding. “Yes, this is Seraphina. May I know
who’s on the line?*
‘Hello, I’m Bryce Grayson, the lawyer representing Prosperian Company. Mr. Julian Brown has
entrusted me to handle the case of your alleged theft of confidential information from the company. I
presume you have received our legal notice?”
Despite his polite tone, there was no disguising the threat behind his words. Seraphina
felt it.
A second passed, then two. Then Seraphina chuckled incredulously, “Steal?”
Internally she scoffed at the audacity of Julian’s claim. So, after all the vague
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Chapter 34
accusations, he had decided to label her blatantly as a thief.
“Ms. Jones, Bryce continued, “As the lawyer representing Prosperian Company, I should inform you
that the existing evidence is stacked against you. Chances are grim for your victory in court. As such, in
the spirit of leniency, we would like to propose an alternative path for resolution.”
“An alternative path? Do explain,” Seraphina responded, her voice tinged with interest.
Casually pulling out a bottle of water, she unscrewed the cap and took a sip before Bryce responded.
“We are willing to suggest an out-of-court settlement. We will draft an apology statement for you to
sign. Furthermore, you will need to publicly apologize to Mr. Brown and Ms. Garcia over a week, and
you will not be able to work within the same industry for three years. If these terms are unacceptable,
we will proceed with the legal proceedings.”
With a popping sound, Seraphina disengaged her mouth from the water bottle. Screwed the cap back
on and said, with an air of absolute conviction, “I’ll see you in
court then!”
Bryce seemed taken aback, perhaps not expecting Seraphina to opt for a legal battle.
without hesitation. “Ms. Jones, I worry that you might be underestimating,
consequence of losing in court. If you lose, we will not only demand a formal apology but will also seek
additional compensation. There’s a possibility of a hefty financial penalty as well as time in prison. I
urge you to reconsider your decision. Mr. Brown has requested only an apology-”
“Hold it right there!” Seraphina sharply interrupted. “Tell Julian to get his head out of the clouds. No one
benefits from egoistic delusions. And remember, you mentioned ‘if’ I lost the case. Let’s not waste time
conjecturing. See you in court!”
With that, she ended the call.
She shook her head at the ridiculousness of it all. Was Julian so convinced that mere documents and
alleged witnesses were enough to guarantee a win? In the past, she had maintained a private
relationship with him, raising him on a pedestal, even agreeing to be a stepping-stone for his risc. But
now that she had seen his true colors, she vowed never to bow to him again..
Seraphina drove home after the call. Surprised, Seraphina found Dashiell at home when she thought
he would still be at work. Fresh from work, Dashiell had discarded his jacket and tie carelessly, leaving
him in his crisp dress shirt, the collar slightly open that exhibited his appealing Adam’s apple. He was
lounging on the sofa, engrossed in his tablet, brow furrowed.