"If you're feeling unwell, feel free to leave early. I'll inform the boss, and your wages won't be deducted," Freya offered.

"Thank you, but I'm fine now,"

Lily responded, grateful for Freya's concern.

Yet, the more Freya cared, the deeper Lily's guilt sank.

Selena's ultimatum was looming, pressuring her to act swiftly or risk her family's safety.

Lily had no alternative but to return to work and seize any opportunity.

Fortunately, it seemed Freya hadn't noticed the drugging incident last time, so Lily's next move wouldn't be too challenging.

"Aaron, we're expecting a delivery at the store today. Can you help with receiving it?"

Ava asked, turning to Aaron.

"Sorry, I can't. I have a customer coming in to try on clothes today, and I can't leave," Aaron replied.

"I also have a customer coming in today. What should we do?"

Ava felt a headache coming on. Everyone had commitments, but the delivery still needed attention.

Lily stood still for a long time, anxiously twiddling her fingers, her breaths growing rapid.

"I'm not too busy right now, so I can take care of it," Lily finally chimed in.

Julia's clothing shipments arrived from the main store every three days.

With the colleague responsible for deliveries on leave for the past two days, Ava had intended to handle it herself. However, an unexpected customer had ordered a custom necklace and was scheduled to try it on, preventing Ava from leaving.

Selena had been threatening Ava consistently, starting with the raw materials, with the intention of sabotaging the store

This delivery provided Lily with an opportunity.

"You've just recovered from a serious illness. Are you sure you're up for the physical strain?" Ava hesitated.

"I'm not that delicate. Plus, I'll be going by car, so I won't have to handle anything myself," Lily reassured her.

Despite Lily's reassurance, Ava still felt uneasy and turned to Freya.

"Freya, what's your take?"

As their boss, Ava trusted Freya to make the best decision.

"Since Lily is available, let her handle it,"

Freya said confidently.

She had faith that Lily would take action this time.

Selena's ultimate goal was to cause unpredictable losses to the store by targeting the source of the goods.

To ensure safety, Freya arranged for someone to accompany Lily to receive the goods.

That someone was Lisa, who had previously worked at Selena's store.

Once the two had left, Ella leaned in and whispered, "What do you think Lily will do?"

"When one's family's safety is at stake, compliance becomes the only option," Freya replied softly.

"What if she really tampers with the clothes?"

Ella asked, crossing her arms lazily.

"If Selena wants to play games, we'll play along. I want to see who comes out on top in the end!"

Freya's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of frost in her gaze.

Freya had been tolerant, but crossing her had consequences.

Selena's ambitions were lofty, but she lacked true ability.

Over the years, they had clashed at every turn.

While Freya had turned a blind eye to many things, it didn't mean she wouldn't tarnish Selena's reputation if provoked.

"Let's go, let's watch the show together!"

Ella stood up and snapped her fingers.

Missing out on such a splendid scene would truly be regrettable.

"Let's go."

Freya smiled faintly.

The two got into the car and headed to the freight point.

…

Each of Julia's brand clothing and jewelry had its own independent freight and sorting warehouse.

When receiving goods, every item needed to be inspected before being sent to the stores for sale.

This process was crucial and had no room for error.

Lily and Lisa arrived first, followed shortly by Freya and Ella.

Instead of approaching, they went to the control room to monitor the two's every move.

The surveillance footage showed Lily negotiating with the driver before having him help move the goods to the inspection area.

Once the goods were moved, Lily signed the documents, and the driver left.

Lily and Lisa then began sorting through the clothes, inspecting their craftsmanship and seams, trimming any excess threads.

Since the styles of clothes changed with the trends, each batch of goods was limited, and the task could usually be completed in half a day.

"Lily, let me ask you something. What do you think Freya's role really is?"

Lisa leaned in, her curiosity piqued.

"Isn't Freya just the special assistant sent over by the big boss? What's on your mind?"

"No, I don't see her as just an assistant. She's more like a successful career woman. Did you see the way she handled Selena? It was so impressive, almost heroic. And her designs... They completely blew me away. They're even more exceptional than Selena's. Who even is Selena? She's only the second-ranked designer internationally, right after Julia. Yet here we have Freya, a seemingly ordinary special assistant, outshining her."

Lisa's eyes gleamed with admiration as she spoke of Freya.

"Julia is a legend in the design world. As her assistant, Freya must possess considerable talent, so her brilliance doesn't surprise me."

"Oh, Lily, you're too innocent sometimes. I just can't shake the feeling that there's more to Freya than meets the eye. Maybe she's actually our big boss."

"You can't be serious..."

Lily forced a smile.

Lisa had been here all along, leaving Lily with no opportunity to make a move.

What was she going to do?

Lily felt a sense of urgency.

"Trust me, I just have this gut feeling that our big boss is about to reveal themselves,"

Lisa said as she trimmed a thread.

Suddenly, she let out a sharp cry.

The scissors had cut her hand, and blood started to trickle out.

"How could you be so careless? Quickly, let's get that cleaned up." Lily grabbed some tissue and pressed it against Lisa's wound.

"No worries, there are band-aids in the pantry. I'll fetch one and patch it up."

Lisa chuckled carelessly and turned, heading towards the pantry.

Relieved, Lily finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She retrieved a packet of powder from her pocket and glanced at the exquisite clothes laid out on the inspection table, her inner turmoil escalating.

Sprinkling the powder would fulfill her task and potentially secure her family's release.

But the consequences... Julia's Boutique's reputation could be tarnished, perhaps even facing legal repercussions.

If the truth came out, she would be condemned, with no place left for her in the design world.

Lily's heart ached with conflict. What was she supposed to do?

She had fought tooth and nail in the design industry, finally finding her footing. She couldn't throw it all away like this.

Yet her family remained in Selena's clutches. If she didn't comply, Selena wouldn't hesitate to harm them.

Tears welled up in Lily's eyes.

Why did this have to happen to her?

Why was life so unjust?

"Julia, forgive me, but I have no other choice," Lily whispered to herself.

She tore open the packet of powder and sprinkled it over the clothes.

Selena had assured her that this powder wouldn't be lethal, merely causing skin irritation in consumers. They would come knocking for compensation, undoubtedly tarnishing Julia's Boutique's reputation.