Chapter 79: Complaining

Abigail glanced instinctively at Victor, sensing he might be overreacting. Calmly withdrawing her arm, she said politely, "Thank you, but the floor isn't slippery."

Victor, with a resigned expression, accepted the fruit basket. "This basket is dripping water, and the floor is marble. Given your leg injury, this could be problematic. Go get the pattern; I'll carry it for you."

She hummed in agreement, offering no further protest. Unbeknownst to her, Sean narrowed his eyes, watching them leave. His face was dark and brooding, as if a storm was brewing.

Victor placed the fruit on an iron chair in the pavilion and stepped aside. Seeing Abigail approach, Joan stood, smiling, and offered her an orange. "Peel this for me, then we can work."

Abigail had no intention of helping, but Victor intervened, taking the orange and beginning to peel it. Joan looked at him meaningfully, then said, "Victor, are you helping Miss Quinn to curry favor?"

He handed her the half-peeled orange. "I can't stand seeing you bully her. She's an assistant, working under her boss's orders. Is it really fun to bully her?"

"Does it concern you? If you want a sham romance with her, consider if she's interested. She's been eyeing Sean from the start. Do you think you can compete with him?" Joan sneered, her eyes filled with sarcasm.

Abigail expected difficulties, but not Victor's involvement. Provoked, he blushed slightly but didn't back down. "A sham romance? I wonder who's using Mr. Graham's reputation for publicity. Unfortunately, he only has eyes for Miss Quinn and hasn't even been seen with you."

This remark enraged Joan; she wanted to throw the orange at Abigail.

Abigail immediately felt Victor had caused trouble. Stepping forward, she whispered, "You don't need to argue with her. Besides, she's Miss Smith's model. How she treats me is none of your concern."

Her words clearly distanced him. She saw a hint of hurt in his eyes but avoided his gaze, feigning ignorance.

Joan, however, wouldn't let Victor off easily; she knew why Abigail had stopped him. Immediately, she called Sean. Chin raised, she looked at them, threatening, "I'll have Sean settle this." The call connected immediately.

With a delighted expression, she coquettishly said, "Hey, Sean. Miss Quinn and a male model are ganging up on me, acting like a couple, targeting me. Can you come?"

Whatever Sean said pleased her further. The other designers and models watched expectantly. Victor watched Abigail press her lips together, silent. Anxiously, he asked, "Did I cause you trouble?"

She glanced at him but remained noncommittal. Victor, familiar with the industry, shouldn't have been so naive. Yet, he'd openly offended Joan to defend her. I'm just an assistant. What's in it for him?

Soon, Sean and Cameron arrived; he'd been nearby.

Seeing him, Joan approached, eyes red, pouting. "Sean, he said our relationship is a publicity stunt. Miss Quinn sided with him to bully me because she wants a sham romance with him. I'm Luna's model. How can her assistant defend other models?"

Sean glared at Victor, who felt frozen, unable to move or make eye contact.

Abigail looked at Sean and calmly said, "Miss Palmer, I asked you to confirm pattern measurements, but you wanted me to fetch water, wash fruit, and move chairs. Who's the real bully here?"

Sean then asked, "And what about him? What did he say?"