**Chapter 22: The Suffering During the Period of Cold War**  

The aftermath of the press conference left Ellie and Lucas in a peculiar purgatory. Ellie's image in the public's eye had improved, but the relationship with Lucas had never been worse. Their workplace confrontations and would-be feelings had caused a divide that both remained confused about how to mend. 

Ellie had started to keep her distance from Lucas for fear of stirring up the extremely tense atmosphere, and the office began to feel unintentionally claustrophobic. 

One morning, while balancing Lucas's calendar, Ellie was confronted by a particularly sullen looking Clara. 

"Miss White," her tone lacked warmth. "Mr. Hunter requests a meeting with you." 

Ellie's pulse quickened slightly, but she complied and walked after Clara to Lucas's office. 

She entered the room to find Lucas already seated behind his desk, wearing a stony expression. 

"Miss White," he said without any enthusiasm in his voice. "Take a seat." 

With her hands nervously clutching together, Ellie sat. 

After a long moment of silence, Lucas began speaking. "The project is the reason we are meeting." 

Calmness for Ellie had drowned her head on the inside, and her heart ached with every word he uttered. "What about it, Mr. Hunter?" 

"I've reviewed your latest designs, and I'm still not convinced they're the right direction for the company." 

Ellie was internally frustrated but managed to remain calm and collected outwardly. "With all due respect, Mr. Hunter, these designs are indeed innovative. They are exactly what is needed for the company's advancement." 

After a moment of silence, he spoke. "But they are way too risky. Something the existing clientele won't like." 

In that moment her chest felt tight, but she managed to speak in a calm tone. "Playing it safe is what got us into this mess in the first place. Bold steps need to be taken." 

It was now tense and silent in the room. 

Finally, Lucas stood up with a stormy expression telling Ellie, "Miss White, this isn't up for discussion. We'll be going with my plan, thank you." 

Ellie felt angry but once more, she managed to speak calmly. "Very well, Mr Hunter." 

As she walked out she wasn't able to shake off the feeling of disappointment. 

She had spent an enormous amount of time on this project and now after one meeting it's already being dismissed. 

She knew she couldn't let such moments break her. 

Knowing fully, she was stronger than that. 

The following couple of days were filled with friction and displeasure; Ellie had been feeling like she was butting heads with Lucas on all fronts, and their arguments were becoming increasingly fierce. 

Lucas marched into Ellie's office one evening while she was still working. 

"Miss White," he said, his tone implying that he had no interest nor concern for the matter at hand. "What brings you here at this hour?" 

"What do you want, Mr. Hunter?" Ellie asked, taken slightly aback. 

"You should be on your way home; it's awfully late." He said after a while of studying her with a blank expression. 

Ellie chose to nod but did not budge. "I will get up in a minute, but just let me finish this report." 

After stopping at her desk, Lucas finally said, "What's the report about?" 

Ellie raised her eyelids in an attempt to comprehend what he had just said to her. "It's a brief telling of all the sales figures from the last few. Then I thought it might be useful for the meeting that is going to take place tomorrow." 

Reasonable if not a bit stern, he replied. "Good. But these are your reports, not your life's work. The company can wait." 

Rather astonished by his response, but maintaining her calm, she said, "Everyone knows that is not the case, Mr. Hunter. It's my duty to make sure all the pieces fit together." 

He looked into her gaze, capturing hers in a gentle but profound way.

"You've already done more than enough." 

Ellie's cheeks burned with embarrassment, but she forced herself to stay modest. "Thank you very much, Hunter, I appreciate it, but I am merely fulfilling my responsibilities." 

Hunter narrowed his brow in response, leaving Ellie completely confused and in the dark. "Hmm, quite so. Do remember to keep yourself in check though." 

Unsure of what else to say, she stammered, "I… I will take care of myself, Mr. Hunter." 

He turned away slightly as he nodded and quickly left the room, leaving Ellie puzzled and shocked. 

After all, it isn't as if he had formally rewarded her for her good work in the company, but that was the most she had had in a while. 

Yes, there were plenty of other stronger motivators. But for now, that was more than sufficient. 

For the next few days, Ellie was entirely occupied with heavy work and the office setting, but as weeks passed, she started feeling at ease with the company culture. 

In return, Ellie was rewarded handsomely, making her look as though she was dedicated to the company even more. 

Although she was fully aware that she was a valuable employee to the office, she could feel the tension growing thick between herself and Lucas. 

As she was sorting out the calendar one afternoon, Clara's razor-like demeanour cut through Lucas's office door. 

"Miss White," she called, sighing audibly. "Hunter would like to have a word with you in his room." 

Ellie, who was startled at first, followed Clara without saying a word as her heart raced as though it had gone through a marathon.

Upon her entrance, Lucas sat behind his desk. His face was set impenetrably. 

"Miss White," he said with a detached undertone, "Take a seat." 

Sitting down, Ellie clasped her hands in her lap, her heart racing with anxiety. 

After some time, Lucas proceeded, "Considering what was said prior, there has been sufficient progress on the public opinion crisis: work still remains to be done, however." 

Ellie nodded, heart racing. "I understand, Mr. Hunter. I prepared some strategy concerning reputation rehabilitation and setting the company to an advantageous position in the marketplace." 

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Continue." 

Taking a deep breath, Ellie slowly assembled her argument. "First, we need to stimulate public interactions and highlight the real Hunter Fashion Group. We can do that with social media, press releases, as well as outreach. Second, we need to bring some innovation within the company's product development to outpace competition. Lastly, we need to nurture our partnership's relationships." 

Lucas looking at her blankly took some time to process, "That is a decent description, but sadly not enough." 

With those words, Ellie's heart sank, but she forced herself to remain calm.

"What other alternatives do you provide?" 

He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "We can go on the offensive. We must tell the world who Ellie White truly is: the gifted, industrious, and consummate professional who has always contributed remarkable value to this company." 

Ellie's cheeks began to turn red with rage, but she willed herself to remain calm. "What do you suggest we do?" 

He leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "We will set up a press conference and you will speak to the allegations head-on with the evidence we have compiled. I will be present, and I witness your good character." 

Ellie's heartbeat went into overdrive, but she tried to remain calm. "Are you sure that is a wise decision? Does it not invite more scrutiny towards the problem?" 

He studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "It's sometimes best to fight fire with fire. We have to wrest back control and show them we are not afraid of the truth." 

Ellie shook her head, trying to keep her thoughts focused. "Alright. I will." 

He nodded curtly, and then urged her to leave by waving his hand at her. 

As Ellie stepped out of his room, she was bursting with motivation. 

She was ready to fight, and she planned to fight hard.

The next few days Ellie prepared herself by drafting a statement, preparing for the press conference and gathering evidence.

When the day finally came, she felt conflicted due to the press conference.

She walked into the conference room where there were many reporters and cameras.

Lucas was already at the podium with a blank expression as always.

Taking a deep breath, Ellie walked up to the podium next to him.

As she began to speak, the room became quiet.

"Good morning," she said, "I am here today to handle the matters pertaining to the allegations filed against me. Right off the bat, I would like to state that these allegations are completely untrue."

"Let me say this: they are fabricated attempts to tarnish my reputation and that of Hunter Fashion Group."

After a short pause, she stated, "I take pride in all the work I have done and so no one is permitted to take that away from me."

She proceeded to present her evidence including the testimonies of her friends and former colleagues, and documents that overrided the claims made against her.

With his eyes glued on the cameras, Lucas stepped forward.

"I want to be clear: Ellie White is an invaluable member of this company. She has worked relentlessly to aid in our achievement, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her character and integrity. These accusations are unfounded and vicious, and we shall not shy away from prosecuting the people that did this."

Ellie and Lucas remained unfazed as questions began pouring in. All tended to be answered in a composed manner.

At long last Ellie felt a hint of relief when the press conference was over.

As they emerged from the conference room, Lucas gave her an inscrutable look.

"Miss White," he said, his voice entirely emotionless, "You dealt with that… rather well."

There was no hiding the astonishment on Ellie's face; however, the mere fact that she was finally granted a compliment set her off. To some degree, the antagonising demeanour had started to get to her.

In any case, it provided a chuckle here and now.

He walked away, leaving Ellie in a state of shock. Tall and competent, she'd wager to say, the disconnect between the pair felt rather stark. All along, she required validation, and for the most part, this undefined relationship between them filled the void she never thought was there.

"Thank you, Mr. Hunter."

She muttered under her breath as he sauntered off.

"That's enough. You handled the situation with professionalism that begs praise."

Well, it wasn't entirely flattering, but that statement chased away any other notion that sought to cloud her head.

To be perfectly clear, I have withstood the storm and now, I am more than willing to have a crack at everything else that lies ahead.