The elevator stopped at the design department''s floor. "Candice, you''re up," Jasper said as the doors slid open.


    After stepping out, Candice turned to face the elevator. She waved at Jasper with a smile, her gentle gaze naturally drifting toward Elio. Elio''s gaze met hers-intense, deep, and unflinching. As the elevator doors began to close, their eye contact was broken.


    Candice touched her chest, feeling her heart flutter with nervous excitement as she sighed. With no more need for secrecy, she could openly admire Elio without the guilt of desiring someone she thought was taken.


    Still, she wasn''tpletely certain about his rtionship status. Although he wasn''t with Josie, could there be someone else?


    Regardless, Candice felt optimistic about where things might lead. With a joyous smile, she covered her face, ducked her head, and briskly made her way into the design department office.


    Candice found her work in the design department incredibly fulfilling. Passionate about fashion design, she poured her heart into her projects with unwavering dedication.


    The winter design drafts were under review for the uing collection, and Candice''s submissions had been rejected. Yet she remained undaunted. Overwhelmed with anxiety, Vanessa sat at her desk, holding her head in distress. Candice wheeled her chair closer and asked gently, "What''s wrong?"


    Vanessa held her job dear, her voice tinged with sorrow as she said, "Candice, every single one of my drafts got rejected."


    With a reassuring smile, Candice patted Vanessa''s shoulder. "Mine, too. Don''t worry."


    "But how can I not worry? If I don''t make a breakthrough soon, I''m definitely going to beid off next."


    Candice looked surprised. "There''s another round ofyoffs?"


    Vanessa looked up, her face etched with sorrow and her eyes reflecting deep anxiety. She muttered, "Candice, have you heard about the new CEO? He''s really intimidating-way more than thest one."


    "Intimating?" Candice was puzzled. Elio was certainly reserved and perhaps distant, but she would hardly call that intimidating.


    Vanessa leaned closer to Candice,


    lowering her voice. "He''s such an intimidating. guy. After taking charge, he dismissed all the worthless


    employees left from the previous CEO''s tenure. He even handed over those harming thepany to the police with solid evidence,


    "Besides, some of the long-standing employees were let go outright. Those who had contributed in the past but weren''t useful anymore were offered severance packages and encouraged to take early retirement.


    "And now, he''s implementing massiveyoffs alongside hiring a wave of fresh graduates."


    "Isn''t that expected if it benefits thepany?" Candice asked.


    Vanessa was puzzled. "But doesn''t it seem wrong to just use people and cast them aside?"


    "For apany to thrive in the long run, it can''t afford to carry unnecessary weight," Candice exined indifferently.


    Vanessa pursed her lips, her eyes welling up. "Candice, are you implying that I''m the unnecessary weight?"


    Candice immediately hugged


    Vanessa and reassured her. "Vanessa, don''t be sad. I wasn''t talking about you at all. Trust me, you''re not going to beid off. I promise you''re safe."


    "You might want to be concerned about your own position. You''re the least experienced here, yet your sry isn''t exactly low."


    "Okay, alright, I''ll be careful," Candice replied, smiling.


    After work, Jasper offered Candice a ride home. During the drive, Candice broached the topic ofpanyyoffs.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Jasper was transparent and exined the situation thoroughly to her. He even assured her she had nothing to worry about and wouldn''t beid off.


    "Could you please ensure that my friend, Vanessa Yates, also stays off theyoff list?" Candice asked.