Chapter 172

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Bianca shut her eyes tight, took a deep breath, and gritted her teeth. "I'm Bianca, and I'm here today to apologize to my cousin..."

Before she could finish, Isabella cut her off with a wave.

"Wait a sec, Bianca. Something's off," Isabella said, tilting her head as she looked Bianca over. Then, as if struck by a brilliant idea, she clapped her hands.

"That's it! You shouldn't be standing on the ground. You need to be up higher, like I was, so everyone can see you properly. People in the back can't see you. You need to be up higher to make this apology count," Isabella said, dragging over a taller stool for Bianca.

Bianca was about to lose it. Inside, she fumed, 'This woman is just trying to humiliate me!'

She shot Isabella a look that could kill. If looks could do damage, Isabella would be full of holes by now.

"Come on, my dear cousin, don't be shy. Get up there. Everyone's waiting for your apology," Isabella said, patting the stool.

Madeline suddenly realized the stool looked familiar. Wasn't that her office chair? What was Isabella up to, making Bianca stand on her chair?

"Isabella, you..." Madeline started, but a cold stare cut her off.

She turned to see Dwayne watching her quietly.

Earlier, Isabella had hinted that Bianca was brought in by Madeline. Dwayne didn't believe for a second that Bianca was here just to apologize. He could guess what Madeline was up to.

Dwayne was furious about this behavior that messed with the company's harmony.

Madeline stopped mid-sentence, giving Isabella the opening she needed.

"Ms. Eve, got something to say?" Isabella smiled at her.

Everyone else turned their attention to Madeline.

Madeline felt like she was being pricked by a thousand needles, making her squirm.

Taking a deep breath, she forced a strained smile. "Ms. Taylor, I was just going to say your idea is spot on. Bianca should definitely stand higher so everyone can see her."

"Ms. Eve, I'm glad you're on the same page. Thanks for bringing my cousin into the company. Without your help, security might have turned her away at the entrance. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity you've given her," Isabella said, feigning gratitude as she held Madeline's hand.

The colleagues around them looked at Madeline with mocking eyes, their gazes like flames, almost melting her.

Bianca's expression clearly indicated that she wasn't there to offer a sincere apology.  She was there to taunt Isabella, who had previously humiliated her.

Everyone knew about the beef between Isabella and Madeline.

Isabella kept hammering home that Madeline was the one who brought Bianca in, just to make her look bad in front of the higher-ups.

"Alright, Isabella, enough already. Let your cousin apologize so we can all get back to work," Madeline said with a forced smile.

Isabella's lips curled into a cold smile as she turned to Bianca.

"Come on,why aren't you on the stool yet? Get up there! We're all waiting for your apology," Isabella urged.

Bianca's fists clenched so tight that her nails dug into her palms, causing pain.

Once she was on the stool, she saw mocking stares and raised phones, and a wave of dizziness and anger washed over her.

'Just wait, Isabella. I'll pay you back for this humiliation tenfold, a hundredfold!' Bianca cursed inwardly, though she kept her face calm.

Finally, as the employees started to get restless, Bianca took a deep breath and began her apology.

"Hey everyone, I'm Bianca, Isabella's cousin. In the last design competition, I stole my cousin's work and claimed it as mine. I thought it was just a prank, but I didn't realize how much it would affect her. I'm sorry for taking up your time. I've learned my lesson and will do better in the future. Please forgive me," Bianca said, bowing to everyone.

"Alright, now that the apology is done, let's all get back to work," Madeline called out, trying to wrap things up.

But Isabella wasn't done. "Hold on, this isn't over yet. I just had an idea."

She turned to Bianca with a smile. "My dear cousin, remember the media attention after your plagiarism and lies? I was the focus of the news then. Well, since the media was involved last time, they should be involved this time too. There are reporters outside; we can use them to publicize your apology. I'm sure they'll love this story."

"Are you out of your mind? What are you trying to do?" Bianca screamed, trying to jump off the stool.

"Watch your tone. Lots of people are recording this!" Isabella said coldly, her icy stare making Bianca freeze.

Isabella pointed to the phones recording the scene. "Even if our colleagues post your video online, it won't get much attention. You're not a big star, after all. But using the media will make sure the public sees your sincerity."

Turning to Dwayne, Isabella said, "Mr. Larson, could you bring in the reporters from outside to film my cousin's apology?"

A smile played on Dwayne's lips. He nodded and headed for the door.