Chapter 289

Once the three senior designers saw the sullen look on Janet’s face, they quickly went back to their respective desks and pretended like they hadn’t been gossiping a while back.

“It’s almost as if they think their job here is to gossip. They are always chatting incessantly. This time, they have gone too far. More than anything, I’m sure you are relying on your strength here. How could they say such a thing? Humph!” Gerda stared at them angrily. She felt bad for Janet and wished she could give the rumormongers a tongue-lashing.

But on the other hand, Janet wasn’t that angry. This wasn’t the first time she was hearing such a rumor, so she had developed a thick skin over time.

“It doesn’t matter, Gerda. Leave them. Please don’t get yourself into trouble because of me. When Pamela spread false rumors about me in the past, I retorted because I caught her red-handed.” Janet turned on the computer and began to work. Staring at the design drawings, she added, “None of them dares to gossip about me in my presence. They always backbite. I don’t take such people seriously. If they are bold enough, they will say it to my face.”

“Does this mean you will allow them to continue gossiping about you? Won’t you take any action against them?” Gerda was amazed by Janet’s nonchalance despite the severity of the matter.

“Hmm!” Janet sighed. She stood up from her seat and looked at her colleagues. “A clear conscience fears no accusation. I didn’t do anything wrong, so I’m not bothered at all. Only those who are up to no good should be bothered!”

Janet didn’t have time for any frivolities. She wanted to invest most of her time and energy into the upcoming spring fashion week. It was very important to her.

However, things didn’t go as she had planned. Most of her colleagues turned against her. They always looked at her strangely and gave her the cold shoulder. Janet also noticed that they gossiped about her more frequently. They did very little to hide their distaste for her, so it was difficult for her to ignore them.

This was different from the last time when Pamela spread rumors about Janet sleeping with her direct superior, where she could easily prove herself. This time, she found it hard to properly deal with it. She didn’t know whether to shut down the rumor or just ignore it.

All she knew was that it was said that a designer whose surname is Lind had an affair with a senior executive of the Larson Group. Janet’s name wasn’t specifically mentioned, so it would be awkward if she confronted the rumormongers.

They would think she decided to shut down the rumor because her guilty conscience was eating her up.

In a state of confusion, Janet decided to speak to Tiffany after much hesitation. “Ms. Fisher, you have heard of the recent rumor, right?”

“Yes, I have. Is it true?” Tiffany responded and asked her naturally. She had her customary smile on at this moment.

“Of course not!” Janet instantly looked aggrieved and helpless after answering sharply.

“Cheer up, Janet. Since the rumor isn’t true, I advise that you turn a deaf ear to everything they are saying. Focus on your work. Make sure your designs are selected for the first show. Your success will be a good response to all your haters. It will also prove that you are innocent of the accusations.”

Tiffany put down the documents and patted the back of Janet’s hand. After pursing her lips, she continued, “You had better invest the time you are using to think about that rumor on the design drawings instead. Thinking will get you nowhere. But designing will shoot you to the peak of your career in no time. Everyone’s eyes are on you. Most of them are earnestly waiting for your downfall. I want you to put all of them to shame!”

The powerful glint in Tiffany’s eyes pierced through Janet’s soul. Those words also reset her brain. At that moment, a strange feeling enveloped her. The worry in her heart was immediately replaced with the zeal to strive and get out of the dark land of thorns she was trapped in. She wanted to move to the bright light that was shining ahead.

******

Meanwhile, the outrageous rumor got to Ethan’s ears. And he was displeased, to say the least.

He immediately ordered Garrett to investigate the source of the rumor.

“I have tried everything, but my efforts proved abortive. Even after interrogating many of the employees in the design department, I couldn’t get tangible information that will lead to the source. They all heard it from rumormongers. The source remains unknown. It’s like a never-ending circle!” Garrett revealed helplessly. His inability to find out the source of the rumor made him more curious.

“The originator of this rumor is an employee in the company. How is it possible that the person is untraceable?” Conflicting emotions swirled in Ethan’s dark eyes. All of a sudden, he narrowed his eyes and said, “You know what? Stop the investigation for now. Don’t alert the enemy. If the culprit finds out about the investigation, he or she will become extra cautious.”