From the way Juliana talked, it sounded like the deputy director position was already hers. Fiona laughed and said, "Dinner? Is your rich boyfriend with the Rolls-Royce Phantom coming too? Have him bring a few friends and introduce them to us. We could use some of that good luck of yours." Fiona wore a Chanel-style outfit. She was always a little vain. The group laughed and chatted as they left the locker room. Outside, Anastasia was focused on her work. The project was at its most critical stage. She had just come back from half a month of marriage leave and needed to get back on track quickly to submit several sets of experimental data. By the time she finished, two hours had passed. At that moment, the department director, Liam Tanner, walked over. "Anastasia, come to the meeting." Anastasia nodded, grabbed her laptop, and walked in. The meeting room was already full. As soon as she entered, Fiona spoke in a mocking tone. "Getting promoted to deputy director really makes a difference. Such an entrance, making everyone wait." Anastasia glanced at her calmly out of the corner of her eye. "Of course. If I don't come in last, who would clean up the half-finished experiments you leave behind?" Fiona's face darkened. "Who are you saying left an experiment half-finished?" "Whoever feels guilty knows the answer." Anastasia looked straight at her and said coldly, "You left in the middle of an experiment to take a call from your lover. You were gone for more than half an hour. If I hadn't been watching, the lab could've blown up without you even knowing." Fiona's expression froze. She had stepped out to take a call. But she clearly remembered shutting off the equipment before leaving. Did she forget? I've stressed it countless times; experiments are a safety issue." Liam, who had just walked in, spoke sternly. "Fiona, if you really didn't turn off the equipment, Anastasia might've saved your life. If something had gone wrong, you wouldn't be able to pay it back even if you sold your whole family." The team had been working on this technology for two years, and it was finally in the trial stage. So many people had poured their time and effort into it day and night. If something went wrong, it would all be wasted. 1/2 2:09 pm DDDD Fiona stayed quiet. There were cameras in the lab, so it would be easy to check. She couldn't argue. Anastasia could've said something privately, but instead, she had to call her out in front of everyone. Fiona looked at her with caution. She thought she couldn't afford to mess with her. If Anastasia got angry, she gave everyone the same treatment. That was what Fiona hated most about her-she never gave anyone a break. At this point, Juliana spoke up. "We're all in the same project team, so we're responsible for each other. Experiments are done in pairs, and Anastasia and Fiona are one team." She looked at Liam, her smile soft and harmless. "Fiona had to step out for something, so Anastasia had the responsibility to keep an eye on it. Besides, isn't everyone saying Anastasia is about to be promoted to deputy director? Mr. Tanner, haven't you always been the one putting in the most work here? Everyone appreciates you for it." Fiona caught on that Juliana was defending her and gave her a grateful look. Juliana smiled back warmly. Her words also slipped in a compliment for Liam, saying he worked the hardest. Sure enough, Liam didn't push the issue any further. Anastasia looked at Juliana, handling everything so smoothly, and thought the Juliana from the past-the one who used to be simple and honest, begging others to help her afford school-was long gone. Now, Juliana had lost all her innocence. Her eyes were full of calculation and smoothness shaped by the real world. Anastasia shook her head. Well, it was her fault for misjudging her in the first place. Helping Juliana had been a moment of kindness. Back then, Anastasia's father and two older brothers had just passed away, and she was taken in by the Kairos family. Thinking about her own situation, she felt pity for Juliana, who had no parents, and decided to support her. They were the same age. At first, Juliana was truly happy to receive help and even exchanged letters with Anastasia, often writing to thank her. In her replies, Anastasia encouraged Juliana to study hard. They had never met, but in her heart Anastasia already saw her as a friend, Later, they both got into the same university. Anastasia was happy for her. When Juliana learned Anastasia's major, she chose the same one. Naturally, their friendship moved from being "pen pals" to meeting in person, though Anastasia was a year ahead. At first, Juliana only admired a dress in Anastasia's closet. Anastasia gave it to her without hesitation. Then she wanted her bags, her jewelry. Those material things meant little to Anastasia. Since Juliana had nothing, she was glad to give them to her. 2/3 2:09 pm DDDD. She treated Juliana like a dress-up doll, happily helping her change her style. But it turned out greed had no end. She never expected Juliana would even steal her man. Juliana had always known Anastasia had a childhood sweetheart. Anastasia had kept a low profile in school and never had Sebastian pick her up. But on his birthday, Anastasia had been stuck in the lab by her advisor, with her phone turned off as required. 19 3/3 2:09 pm D The Rose Who Chose His Rival Over Him