One of the CEOs stepped in to defuse the situation, but the meaning behind his words couldn’t be


    clearer. It was to drive Nichole away. After all, without James, they had no reason to show any courtesy


    to Nichole.


    “Why has the mood turned so heavy just because I stepped away for a moment?” Sophie emerged


    from the restroom, her gaze immediatelynding on Nichole.


    Nichole turned around, and upon seeing Sophie, her expression soured instantly.


    Sophie was dressed to the nines today, exuding grace and elegance with every move. In contrast,


    Nichole’s outfit seemed tacky,cking the poise and the sophistication of ady of high society, making


    her look more like a nightclub hostess out of her depth.


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Sophie had doubted James‘ taste in the past, considering Nichole’s looks were not particrly striking.


    Her figure was nothing to write home about, merely passable in terms of innocence.


    Now, Nichole’s attempt to dress more maturely only obscured her only advantage of innocence. She


    looked like nothing more than a vulgar nouveau riche.


    Sophie smiled and said, “Ms. Nichole, you’re here too. What a coincidence.”


    “Sophie…”


    “I’d prefer if you called me Mrs. Burke.” Sophie cut Nichole off directly.


    Nichole’s face was a mask of reluctance, clearly unwilling to acknowledge Sophie as Mrs. Burke in


    front of so many people. “What brings you here, Ms. Nichole? A dinner engagement, perhaps?” Sophie


    looked around and remarked, “It seems you’re here by yourself.”


    Nichole managed a strained smile and said, “I came with a colleague. She’s just gone to the restroom.”


    “Oh? Ms. Nichole, are you working now? I wonder where you went after Palm’s Jewels let you go.


    Whichpany had the pleasure of benefiting from your talents?” Sophie’s interest seemed piqued as


    she waited for Nichole’s response.


    Nichole opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words. She looked back at James, who was


    sitting unbothered on his chair, then at Sophie, who seemed to be enjoying the spectacle. She forced a


    smile and said, “I’m interning at Grandview Corporation.”


    “Grandview?” Sophie raised an eyebrow. “If I recall, that’s a subsidiary of S Corporation, isn’t it?”


    The recent friction between S Corporation and Burke International was no secret. Nichole’s admission


    made the surrounding executives look ufortable.


    Their business was suffering, and it was all because of S Corporation.


    I


    “Mr. Burke, it seems the support you’ve extended to Ms. Sophie over the years has ended up dressing


    someone else for their grand day.” “S Corporation really knows how to pick them. They did not even


    check whose side their new recruit is on.”


    Thements were cold and mocking, clearly directed at Nichole.


    Nichole’s expression darkened. She had chosen S Corporation because James had ordered that no


    entity connected with Burke International was to employ her, leaving her with no choice.


    Hoping for James to speak up and defend her, Nichole watched him, but James simply stated, “Nichole


    no longer receives support from Burke International. Whom she chooses to align with is none of our


    concern.”


    This disassociation only made Nichole look worse.


    Sophie said, “Well, it seems Ms. Nichole is dining with her colleagues from Grandview today. In that


    case, we won’t disturb you. Please, enjoy your meal.”


    Sophie then returned to her seat. Noticing that her ss had been used, she raised her voice and said,


    “Waiter, I’d like a new ss, please.”


    Soon, a waiter reced Sophie’s ss, a gesture that, to Nichole, felt like a sharp jab.


    Her action was to publicly humiliate Nichole.