Sweetheart, Do You Still Love Me

Chapter 732 Side Story: Efforts in Pursuing Her 14

Elspeth wasn't wrong, and truth be told, Yelena could bring more substantial benefits to the company. However, Yelena clearly messed up. Should Hermione be the only one to face the consequences?

"Miss Lynwood, I don't think you should handle it this way. This issue is Yelena's fault, and she should bear the consequences. Otherwise, how will you manage other employees in the company in the future?" Hermione spoke firmly, thinking she'd earn praise or approval from everyone. However, when she turned around, people couldn't even meet her gaze. It caught her off guard.

As such, Hermione swallowed her apprehension and turned her head to face Elspeth.

"You're making a valid point, but I didn't expect you to be so considerate about the company's management. What's going on? Do you want to run the company for me?" Elspeth chuckled lightly. "Is that what you're getting at?"

That was a bit of a daring statement. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Hermione quickly shook her head to clarify her intention. "Of course not. I'm not suggesting I take over your role. I just wanted to remind you that this approach isn't in line with the company's protocols. Besides..."

Hermione's mind seemed to click suddenly, and she continued, "If you want me to leave the company, remember we signed a contract. You'd have to compensate me with a hefty breach-of-contract payment..."

It was her last card to play.

Hermione was a moderately good-looking young star who had managed to gather a fanbase through her efforts at the company, but personally, she didn't have any influential connections. She had once entertained the idea of getting cozy with wealthy businessmen or finding someone to sponsor her, but those activities were strictly prohibited at the company.

Elspeth had made it clear that if a star got too close to someone without the company's approval, they'd be terminated immediately. The contract was explicit about it. Hermione had even witnessed a girl getting kicked out of the company after she was caught in a tangled situation with a top-tier rich heir.

This effectively quashed Hermione's notions.

Thus, she had to resort to the only leverage she had left—threatening Elspeth with a hefty breach-of- contract fee to prevent her from easily terminating their agreement.

However, the so-called hefty breach-of-contract fee didn't seem to bother Elspeth much.

"That's correct. If I were to terminate your contract without proper cause, then I would have to compensate you with ten times the breach-of-contract fee, which amounts to three hundred million," Elspeth stated matter-of-factly.

When Hermione heard this, her eyes lit up. Three hundred million would not be easy to come by, even for Elspeth, right? Moreover, if Elspeth insisted on kicking her out of the company, armed with three hundred million, there wasn't much she couldn't achieve. No matter how she sliced it, it was a deal where she'd gain without losing.

"Yeah, that's right. Miss Lynwood, maybe you shouldn't terminate my contract after all," Hermione

replied, deliberately donning an understanding expression while her heart danced with glee.

Elspeth tapped her chin as though suddenly recalling something. "From what I remember, there's another clause in the contract, though. If the artist is at fault for the termination, they're required to pay me three hundred million instead."

The contract did indeed state that…

Hermione's confidence wavered. She had been ready to argue that she hadn't done anything wrong, but when she met Elspeth's subtle smile, a shiver ran down her spine.

She felt as if a bucket of cold water had doused her from head to toe. At that moment, she suddenly realized that Elspeth might not be someone she could easily provoke. Suddenly, she felt that the notions of going head-to-head with Yelena she had harbored were ludicrous.

Hermione understood Elspeth's intentions. She swallowed nervously and managed an awkward smile. "Miss Lynwood, I think this might all be a misunderstanding..."

From the look Elspeth had given her just moments ago, it was clear Elspeth wouldn't let her off the hook. Now, besides begging for mercy or playing dumb, Hermione had no idea what to do.

Elspeth asked with mock surprise, "A misunderstanding? Weren't you saying something else just now?"

"Frankly speaking, it's all a misunderstanding. Yelena and I merely had a small disagreement, which shouldn't be considered bullying. Also, the cup breaking was purely an accident I caused…"

Since her current account of events greatly contrasted with her previous statements, coupled with the weight of the curious glances around her, Hermione felt awkward. Yet, if she didn't shoulder all the blame now, she knew that she'd be the one in trouble.

She regretted her earlier brashness in offending Yelena without any consideration.

Even though she saw Hermione groveling pitifully, Elspeth showed no intention of letting up.

"Are you implying that this whole thing was just a misunderstanding, but you blew it out of proportion and even falsely accused Yelena?"

Hermione regretted what she said so much that she almost bit her tongue off. Why did I explain things that way?

Her failed attempt that backfired caused her face to turn pale in an instant.

"That's not what I meant either. I just want to say that between Yelena and me, there's no..." Hermione hurriedly walked over to Yelena, grabbed her hand, and pleaded, "I'm sorry, Yelena. I shouldn't have treated you that way. Can't you forgive me?"

Suddenly being grabbed like that made Yelena feel a wave of repulsion that was hard to put into words. She slowly pulled her hand out of Hermione's grip, turned her head, and forced a smile. "Hermione, this matter has nothing to do with me. I'm not the one punishing you, so you don't need to come to me."

In an instant, Hermione had become the abandoned one. Not a single person dared to stand up for her, and those before her looked away too. Left with no other choice, Hermione could only kneel beside Elspeth. "Miss Lynwood, I'm begging you—this is just a misunderstanding. Please spare me, okay?"

Elspeth lowered her head, looking at her with a smile. "Hermione, do you know that there are surveillance cameras all over the company? Also, did you think that by using Laramae's computer to post that video online, I wouldn't be able to figure out who did it?"

Laramae was Hermione's close friend, and upon hearing this, her face instantly changed. She began trembling with anger, her fury boundless.

Laramae marched forward, grabbing Hermione's collar before giving the woman a resounding slap.

"Hermione, I considered you my best friend, and I never thought you would use my computer for something like this. So that's why you borrowed my computer! You wanted to pin the blame on me!"

The truth was out. Everyone understood just what kind of repulsive character Hermione truly was. She was jealous of the top star and betrayed a friend—such a person didn't deserve to stay in the company!

Elspeth looked at her and delivered the final blow. "Starting today, the company will officially terminate its contract with Hermione Loquat, and due to her improper behavior, she owes the company three hundred million."

She added, "Refuse to pay, and we'll see you in court."