Rong Yan returned to the company, and he could clearly feel that everyone was looking at him strangely.
The bridal show, which the team painstakingly prepared, had issues, and everyone's hard work was wasted.
If the company collapses, where will they go?
It's so hard to find a job now, especially one with the benefits and conditions company offers.
As a result, some of the displeased gazes turned towards Rong Yan and Fu Qingyan.
When Fu Qingyan followed closely behind Rong Yan, she also noticed that everyone was not as friendly as usual.
Gathering her courage, Fu Qingyan stopped and spoke loudly.
"I know I let the company down, and I'm sorry for everyone's efforts. If there's a problem, I won't avoid it. I will stand with the company through thick and thin. If someone needs to take the blame, I'm willing to take it all on myself without complaint."
Fu Qingyan spoke heroically, portraying the image of a victim vividly.
Everyone remained silent, and no one comforted her.
Rong Yan also stated, "I won't shirk the responsibility I ought to bear. It's my fault for not handling things well, and I will take full responsibility."
No one else spoke up.
At this moment, Nan Qiao arrived.
"Director Rong, come to my office," Nan Qiao said, walking into her office with a serious face.
Rong Yan followed her in and closed the door.
To the others, it seemed Rong Yan would not escape a good scolding.
Those who made mistakes naturally ought to be punished.
Rong Yan no longer appeared as vibrant as before. He seemed quite weary and powerless, as if he were drained dry the night before.
Seeing his dejected state, Nan Qiao couldn't help but laugh, "Rong Yan, has this matter beaten you down so much that you can't get back up? Is this still the you I know?"
Rong Yan awkwardly scratched his head and slumped into a chair.
In front of Nan Qiao, he wasn't restrained—like meeting an old friend, he was free to be himself.
Realizing his behavior was inappropriate in an office setting, Rong Yan immediately sat up, sitting upright.
"Mr. Qiao, I'm sorry. You entrusted me with such an important task, and I messed it up. It's all my fault."
Nan Qiao: "Is it your fault, or Fu Qingyan's? Do you intend to take all the blame? Do you think you can handle it all?"
"I am the main person responsible. I made the decisions, so if I don't take responsibility, who would?" Rong Yan said helplessly.
Nan Qiao: "There are some things I want to ask you first. Tell me everything you know; I want to identify the root cause of this incident."
Rong Yan focused his attention, prepared to be serious: "Mr. Qiao, you ask; I won't hold anything back."
Nan Qiao asked several questions.
Did the models eat anything backstage or come into contact with anyone?
Who was the manufacturer of the fabrics, who ordered the fabrics, and who was responsible for liaising these matters?
Moreover, where did Rong Yan and Fu Qingyan go together during these days, and what was the timeline?
Rong Yan answered Nan Qiao's questions one by one without hiding anything.
"Mr. Qiao, do you suspect Fu Qingyan?" Rong Yan asked in confusion.
"Of course I suspect her, but I also suspect you and every participant of the event. I need to clear everything up," Nan Qiao's formal tone made Rong Yan feel reassured.
Nan Qiao's impartial approach promised to clear the false accusations against him and Fu Qingyan.
They had done nothing to harm the company's interests.
"You may go now; have Fu Qingyan come in. I have something to discuss with her."
"Alright." Rong Yan stood up and left.
Not long after, Fu Qingyan came in.
With red eyes and dressed in a white turtleneck, her hair loose, she looked innocently pitiful.
Upon seeing this, Nan Qiao smiled and said, "Sit."
Fu Qingyan sat down, "Mr. Qiao, I'm sorry. I failed to meet your expectations."
Nan Qiao: "Indeed, you did."
Fu Qingyan looked up, eyes filled with incredulity.
Was Mr. Qiao being so blunt?
Nan Qiao asked a few more questions, similar to those she asked Rong Yan.
Fu Qingyan felt like a criminal, being interrogated by Nan Qiao with no escape, stripped of her dignity.
The humiliation made her nose tingle, and she reached for a tissue to wipe her tears.
"Mr. Qiao, I did not betray the company."
Nan Qiao: "I know. These questions are intended to clear your name. If you find it inconvenient, I will stop asking."
How could anything be inconvenient...
Even if it were truly inconvenient, she couldn't outright say it.
"Mr. Qiao, it's alright. You can ask whatever you want; I will cooperate fully."
Nan Qiao: "You mentioned you came from Berkeley University and studied fashion design?"
Fu Qingyan's heart skipped a beat, unsure why Nan Qiao asked this, a question she didn't want to answer.
Nan Qiao's sharp gaze fixated on her, making her feel like prey, eager to flee.
With her hands clenched into fists on her lap, Fu Qingyan responded.
"Yes," Fu Qingyan answered.
Nan Qiao: "A teacher from Berkeley's fashion department told me there is no such person in their program."
How does Nan Qiao know someone from Berkeley University!
Nan Qiao must be bluffing!
Despite her unease, Fu Qingyan forced herself to remain calm and composed.
"Mr. Qiao, what do you mean by that?"
"Literally, the school you listed on your employment form doesn't match reality. Fu Qingyan, deceiving the company is illegal!"
Fu Qingyan's heart raced, tongue-tied and at a loss for words, as if something were stuck in her throat.
Her whole body stiffened, hands trembling uncontrollably.
"If you tell me the truth now, maybe I can let this go; consider your options carefully."
Fu Qingyan, tears streaming down her face, pleaded, "Mr. Qiao, I'm sorry, I lied to you."
Nan Qiao snorted softly: "So your degree is fake."
Head lowered, Fu Qingyan's tears fell onto the desk, splattering into little water blooms.
Nan Qiao: "You're truly dishonest; I came to work with you sincerely, yet you couldn't even be truthful about the basics. Fu Qingyan, concerning the bridal show, what else are you hiding from me, from the company!"
Fu Qingyan suddenly looked up, shaking her head repeatedly: "Mr. Qiao, I'm not hiding anything from you, nor have I betrayed the company."
Nan Qiao scrutinized her like a convict, making Fu Qingyan anxious.
"Will you speak, or should I? If I speak, it's already too late, do you understand?"
The threatening tone nearly made Fu Qingyan faint.
What does Nan Qiao actually know?