Chapter 222


    Deborah nodded. "Sure did. Packed it with all the fun of the fair and these dazzling lights."


    She chuckled to herself, then snuggled closer to me, "And you, my dear sister, are part of the package."


    Such a sweet talker.


    When we got to the scene of the incident, Ernest climbed up to inspect the damage, jotting down notes as he went.


    "We''re looking at two sets down, each with twenty-two bulbs, across thirteen colors," Ernest said, surveying the ruined lights and ncing over at the crane working not too far off.


    Finally, he turned to Deborah, "Get Mr. Wagner down here, will you? We need to sort out liability and damages for this mess."


    Deborah gave a quick nod and pulled out her phone to call Dustin. Shortly after, Dustin arrived, pausing in surprise at seeing me.


    It looked like he wasn''t expecting to see me, but after a split second of surprise, he broke into a smile. "Felicia, what brings you here? Doing some early inspections?"


    I wasn''t in charge here anymore, and his remark could''ve been taken as a dig.


    But I knew he was just jesting, so I smiled back lightly, "No, just here to catch up with Ernest."


    I saw something flicker in Dustin''s eyes at that, then he turned to Ernest, "I''ve already been briefed about the ident by the contractors."


    Dustin left it at that, clearly hinting he preferred Ernest not to dig deeper.


    Turning to Ernest, I saw his expression harden, "If they''ve epted responsibility, then they should cover all damages. I''ll coordinate the repairs, and the bill will go to Mr. Wagner."


    Ernest was clearly not ying by Dustin''s rules, nor sparing his feelings.


    Though Dustin was usually easygoing, his displeasure showed, "I take responsibility for the oversight."


    He was trying to leverage his position against Ernest.


    But Ernest wasn''t having any of it, "Then it''s even more appropriate the bill goes to Mr. Wagner."This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Dustin''s demeanor darkened, and I had to suppress augh.


    Ernest really was a wildcard, not ying by the usual corporate games.


    The two men stood there, an unspoken battle raging between them.


    Deborah, sensing the tension, subtly poked me, gripping my sleeve anxiously.


    Yet, I remained silent.


    Taking sides would only hurt one of them, and with the tension so thick, it was clear I was implicated somehow. Staying mute seemed the wisest choice.


    "What''s this about a bill?" Conrad suddenly joined in, potentially turning the duel into a three-way standoff. The atmosphere turned even more charged, Deborah whispered urgently to me, "Felicia..."


    Before she could finish, Conrad called on her, "Deborah, your take."


    Deborah shivered, her nervousness transferring to me, "Mr. Wagner..."


    "Just tell it like it is," I nudged her forward, whispering a word of encouragement.


    After a reassuring nce at me, Deborah stepped up and reported the situation honestly.


    Conrad, after listening, looked at Ernest, "You don''t need to worry about this. I''ll discuss it with your boss."


    "I''m in charge here. If I say we''re duepensation, that''s what''s happening," Ernest stood his ground, equally firm.


    Conrad''s eyes narrowed, his lips


    curling into a mocking smile, "And what if say I''m the one calling the shots here? Is Mr. Collins nning to resign, or should he just clear his desk?"


    Conrad''s words were a clear challenge to Ernest,ying a trap along the lines Ernest had drawn.


    Ernest, a man of principle and directness, was not one to back down easily, even against someone like Dustin, who carried the ruthless legacy of the Wagner family in his veins.


    Watching them corner Ernest, after all the hard work and dedication he had shown, especially with projectpletion around the corner, felt like a tant betrayal.


    I couldn''t stand it any longer, and stepped forward.