Rachel wasn't the type to shy away from responsibility , but she also wasn't about to let someone falsely accuse her of something . She turned to look at Samantha . " Ms. Judd , my timing wouldn't have been an issue . Based on the time I left LS Enterprise , I wouldn't have missed the meeting . The appointment with Trinity Enterprise was set for 3.30pm , and I left LS Enterprise at 3.10pm . It only takes about ten minutes to get to the meeting place by taxi , so I had ten minutes to spare . Noticing the confusion on Samantha's face , Rachel gave a small smile and added , " And if I'm not mistaken , you probably waited at least twenty minutes , right ? " Samantha's expression stiffened . She hadn't expected Rachel to be so precise with the timing . She even knew that Samantha had waited for twenty minutes after arriving at Trinity Enterprise . Rachel's smile grew slightly . " I know because Trinity Enterprise's CEO had a video conference this afternoon . He sent me a message this morning , saying he would be ten minutes late . " Samantha stood frozen for a moment . When she spoke again , her voice was quieter , tinged with an almost pleading tone . " Rachel , I'm sorry . I thought you were too busy , and I just wanted to help . I didn't mean to make you think I was trying to take the credit from you . I promise , that's not what I was doing . The Trinity Project is yours ; I'll have William change the name on the contract to yours . I'll make sure you get the commission too . " Samantha's words , though seemingly innocent , put Rachel in a tough spot . The looks from the others in the room were heavy with judgment . " Honestly , I can't believe Ms. Lloyd is acting this way . Samantha went out of her way to help her secure the project , and now ' she's just showing off , acting like she's got everything figured out . " " Yeah , exactly . She was clearly planning to switch to LS Enterprise all along . On the surface , she acts like there's nothing between her and Samantha , but deep down , she already thought the Oasis Project was hers . " " Of course she'd hold a grudge . It's like having something snatched away from her . " Rachel heard the whispers around her loud and clear , but wasn't bothered by them . What mattered now was William's response . She turned her gaze back to him . " Mr. Lewis , I've explained everything . The meeting time was set , and it was my mistake for not arriving earlier . I take full responsibility for that . " She took responsibility where it was due , but the facts showed that she would never have been late to ti Samantha who decided to go on her own without consulting anyone . That was on her . eeting . It was William scanned the room , his eyes briefly lingering on Samantha . For just a moment , Rachel saw a flicker of something - was it sympathy ? Her heart sank . She knew what was coming next . After a long pause , William's expression darkened , his voice cold and distant as he said , " Given the situation just now , as well as Ms. Lloyd's personal matters , the company has made the following decision : Her position will be suspended , along with all her current projects . Her director role will temporarily be taken over by Samantha , and once the investigation is complete , we will consider reinstating Ms. Lloyd's position . " His decision left the office in complete silence . The air was eerily still . But more than anything , the employees were more concerned about Rachel's expression . To be publicly dismissed by her husband and have him protect his first love in front of everyone felt like a cruel blow to Rachel's heart . In an instant , every colleague's gaze turned toward her . 1/1