Tina nodded vigorously beside her, worry etched deep into her face. “Yulia’s right. Even though you made the presentation file, the idea was hers—and I’m the one executing it. We don’t even have copyright registration and confidentiality protections in place yet!”
Yulia leaned closer to the camera, agitation spilling over. “We don’t know how we’re supposed to keep the project safe now,” she said heatedly. “ You told others about it and even invited them to join. How are we supposed to keep it safe now?”
Celia’s brows knitted slightly—but there was no panic in her eyes. No guilt.
Instead, she looked at them calmly, almost pityingly, as if they were the unreasonable ones.
“But they are struggling, Yulia,” she said gently. “So many of our colleagues couldn’t create any good projects this year. And this project will be huge—so many designs for the wedding season.It’s fine to divide it among some more people and let them benefit from it.”
Tina and Yulia’s anger exploded.
Yulia nearly shouted, “Is this something small? If you give it to five people, ten people—spread it to everyone—what will be left forus?”
Tina reached out, placing a hand on Yulia’s arm. “Calm down,” she said quickly. “It’s okay. Don’t lose your temper.”
Yulia slammed her palm onto the table with a sharpcrack, then stepped back, dragging a hand through her hair to shove it away from her face. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she fought to steady herself.
Tina forced herself to keep talking. “We’re all friends. Let’s just… think about how we can deal with the others.”
Just then, footsteps approached from behind.
A man hurried toward the table. The moment he spotted Celia on the laptop screen, his face lit up. He rushed forward and bent slightly toward the camera, smiling eagerly.
“Celia? Is that you?” he asked excitedly. “I was just coming to look for you.”
His smile dimmed just a little as he continued, almost pleading.
“Can I join your project too? I heard it’s already been approved by the higher-ups. I’m in a really tight spot.”
“Of course,” Celia replied immediately, bright and enthusiastic. “No problem at all. I understand how it feels.”
She tapped rapidly on her phone. “I’m adding you right now. I’ll send you the files.”
Yulia and Tina stared at her in shock, their faces draining of color.
“Celia—” Tina blurted out, leaning closer to the screen. “We don’t have space. I told you—we can’t.”
“The project already has too many people involved,” Yulia said, urgency slipping into her voice as she exhaled sharply. “It’ll be difficult—”
But Celia cut her off without even looking at her, continuing to speak cheerfully to the man.
“Check your email,” she said. “You should’ve received the project link already. All the information is there.”
The man’s face lit up again. “Thank you! You’re such an angel,” he said gratefully. “You saved me—seriously.”
Celia waved it off with a smile. “We’re colleagues. It’s nothing. I’m happy to help.”
The man glanced down at his phone, then looked back at the screen, practically glowing. “I got it! I’ll go through everything today and add my name to the project.” He laughed. “Thank you, Celia. You’re the most helpful person I’ve ever met. I don’t think girls like you even exist anymore. You’re such an angel!”
Celia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling. “It’s alright. I’m glad I could help.”
The man waved goodbye to her enthusiastically. He walked away practically bouncing, happiness written all over him.
Yulia and Tina stared at the screen, mouths slightly open, disbelief etched across their faces.
Celia barely noticed.
She lifted her gaze and waved at a group of people approaching from behind Yulia and Tina.
