**Chapter 25: The Success of the Project**  

The press conference had marked a significant event in the life of Ellie and Lucas. Ellie's public image seemed to have improved and the bad impression of the company was steadily recovering. Still, the cold war was present, and they both understood that in order to achieve success, they would have to cooperate. 

Clara's fierce face was staring at Ellie as she was preparing Lucas's calendar. As usual, she was walking towards Ellie's desk but was now more authoritative. 

"Miss White," she said, curtly. "Mr. Hunter is expecting you in his office." 

Ellie felt butterflies in her stomach, but obediently went after Clara to Lucas's office. 

When she entered the office, Lucas was behind the desk, with a steely expression on his face. 

"Miss White," he said, rather chilly and in an impersonal tone. "Please sit." 

Ellie sat down with her fingers knitted and resting over her crossed legs. 

Lucas peered at Ellie for a moment then relaxed in his chair, "We need to talk about the project." 

Ellie's gut twisted, but she forced calmness to emerge. "What is it about, Mr. Hunter?" 

He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers.

"I have analysed your latest designs deeply, and I remain unconvinced that they would be ideal for the company." 

Even though she was bubbling with anger, Ellie made sure not to lose her cool. "With all due respect, Mr. Hunter, these concepts are revolutionary and multifaceted. They are precisely what the company needs to remain relevant in the market." 

After a few moments, Mr. Hunter gazed blankly at her. "But they are excessively bold. We require something that is more restrained. Something that will appeal to our existing customers." 

Ellie's heart rate increased, but she forced herself to stay calm. "This is what put us in this position in the first place. We need to take aggressive action if we want to progress." 

Both of them remained silent, but they were aware of the growing tension between them. 

Finally, Lucas rose to his feet, his expression a tempest. "Miss White, this is non-negotiable. We are proceeding with my approach." 

Ellie felt like she was going to explode in anger, but she took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain relaxed. "Certainly, Mr. Hunter." 

While leaving the meeting, Ellie felt her anger building but there was disappointment too. 

She knew that she had put so much effort into this work, and now it felt as if it were being invalidated in an effortless manner. 

Regardless of how desperately furious she was, it wouldn't get to her head. 

After all, she was stronger than that. 

The next few days felt monotonous and frustrating. Ellie had to grapple with Lucas from every social circle and their fights got worse. 

One evening when Ellie was staying late at the office, Lucas strolled up to her workstation. 

"Miss White," he coolly said. "What are you doing still here?" 

"Oh, I am just getting some work done, Mr. Hunter," Ellie replied. 

"It's late and you should head back," he said while giving her an unreadable look. 

"No, I will leave in a few minutes," Ellie said. "I want to complete this report." 

Lucas contemplated for a few seconds and then went to Ellie's desk. "What is the report regarding?" 

Ellie started to squirm, "It summarises sales figures. I thought that it could be useful for tomorrow's gathering." 

He nodded while staring into the distance. "Good, yet you don't have to exhaust yourself. It can wait." 

"Trust me, Mr. Hunter, I want everything to be perfect," Ellie said while succumbing to her surprise. She should not show emotions. 

He scanned her face for some seconds, locking his eyes with hers.

Ellie felt humiliated, yet appreciative enough to apologise. "Thank you, Mr. Hunter. I'm just doing my job." 

He tilted his head and nodded but said nothing. "Good. But don't forget to take care of yourself." 

Ellie blinked, unsure of how to respond. "I… I will, Mr. Hunter." 

He let out one curt nod before swiftly leaving the room and allowing Ellie to be engulfed by a dense silence. 

What would've earned someone else half-hearted praise at best, in other words, had been ample for her. 

And for now, that was enough. 

She felt herself grow more comfortable in her role through the environment filled with chaos, to added burden from a pro-Ellie sentiment. While the first few days had been hard, they were subsequently very productive. 

But the added lucas to this tubular wonder vanished in a blink, as her growing tension with Lucas was proving to be tremendously hard to ignore. 

Ellie was recollecting the instances in which Clara approached her desk in the past and she never ever remembered her with warmth. Like, never. All things aside, what she remembered was that her face twitched from an annoyed expression. "Miss White," she would say, as soon as entering her zone while getting prepared for one of Clara's usual monologuing contests. "Mr. Hunter wants to see you in his office." 

What Ellie felt during that was dread, while knowing in her heart that her answer would surely show signs of bliss.

Lucas sat behind his desk with a different expression. It was hard to tell what he was thinking. "Miss White," he started, his voice calm yet detached. "Sit down." "Yes, sir," Ellie replied and sat down, her fingers woven in her lap. Lucas studied her for a moment before leaning back in his chair and speaking. "We made some headway on the public opinion crisis, but there is still a lot that needs to be addressed," he said. "I understand, Mr. Hunter," Ellie replied, her mind racing. "I've been putting together a strategy to improve the company's image and fortify our market position." "Continue," he said, raising his eyebrows. Ellie took a deep breath, then began loosening the plan she had worked on. "First, we need to maintain our outreach to the public in order to properly display the real face of Hunter Fashion Group. Social media campaigns, press releases, and community programmes are good ways to do this. Second, to remain competitive, we must continue to be focused on innovation and product development. Lastly, we need to build a stronger rapport with our clients and partners to ensure continued business." Lucas studied her for a moment before responding. "That's a solid plan. But it's not enough," he said. Ellie's heart sank when she heard those words. But then again, she knew that she had to try to remain calm.

"What other suggestions do you have?"

He moved forward, focusing on her. "We have to take the fight to them. We have to expose to the public the real Ellie White – the talented, industrious and committed professional who brought value to this company."

Ellie felt flustered but she was determined to maintain her calm. "What do you mean by that?"

He said, "We will hold a press conference. You need to counter the claims head-on and produce the evidence that we have collected. I will be there ready to guide you and stand up for you."

Ellie's heart raced a little, but she tried to remain unfazed. "Are you sure that this is a good approach? Would this not just escalate the problem?"

He seemed to be analysing her and for that brief moment, his expression gave nothing away. "Fighting fire with fire is at times the most effective way to deal with a problem. It is time we take control of the situation and make it clear to the public that we are ready to face the reality."

"Fine. I'll do it," Ellie said feeling a little scattered but at least her decision helped her feel more in control.

He replied with a curt nod and waved his hand signifying she should leave.

As Ellie stepped outside his office, feelings of resilience built up inside her.

She was ready to retaliate.

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. Ellie prepared all the necessary materials to present at the conference, as well as draft her testimony and gather evidence.

On the appointed day, Ellie felt a surge of self-confidence, but also worrying thoughts.

When she entered the meeting room, a crowd of reporters with cameras pointed at her was already present.

He was already there looking aloof while standing at the podium.

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

She felt the audience was anxiously waiting for her next words.

"Good morning," she began. Her voice was poised but her anxiousness swallowed her whole. "I have come here today in regard to the serious accusations levied against me. I want to make it exceptionally clear: the allegations are completely untrue. They are a calculated attempt to tarnish my name and that of Hunter Fashion Group."

Taking a breath, she followed up saying, "I want it to be known that I have put in tremendous effort towards pursuing a career in this industry and earning my keeps. I have earnestly built up my reputation and I am not blindly letting others take that from me."

She shared the evidence that she and her team collected, which included several statements from friends and ex-work mates, along with documents that countered all of the false claims.

Lucas pulled all their attention as he took a step forward, staring at the cameras.

"Let me be very clear: Ellie White is an important figure of this firm. Undoubtedly, she has put in great effort towards our advancement, and I truly admire her for who she is as a person. These claims are unfounded and deeply harmful, and we will not shy away from pursuing legal recourse against the perpetrators."

The room exploded with questions and Ellie and Lucas answered them in an orderly fashion.

After the press conference ended, Ellie felt a wave of relief wash over her.

It felt great.

She had triumphed against the odds. She stood against the storm fully prepared and emerged valiantly.

As they got out of the conference room and started walking out, Lucas looked at her with a blank face.

"Miss White," he said, "You managed that… sufficiently."

Ellie stared at him blankly completely at a loss for words. "Thank you, Mr. Hunter," was all she managed to say, completely shocked.

He gave a dismissive nod and walked off, allowing Ellie to stare at the floor in shock.

It was not exactly praise, but compared to the rest of the week, this was certainly the most gentle compliment heard.

And that was more than sufficient for the time being.

I managed to live through a public opinion crisis.

She was ready for the next set of challenges that arose.