After Prison I Rushed into Marriage with a Comatose Tycoon-Chapter 136: A Method to Ruin Eliza Sutton

"I don’t think so," Erik Irvine said. "I believe Designer Sutton was being truthful."

He had seen Eliza Sutton bring up divorce several times now.

Bringing up divorce might be a tactic for many women, a way of playing hard to get.

But using it on Shane Lockwood would be foolish.

He was sure no one would dare try it on Shane.

Unless they genuinely wanted to leave.

Pearl Lockwood understood the implication in Erik Irvine’s words, but she didn’t believe a single one. She sneered, "Secretary Irvine, what’s gotten into you? You’re the esteemed Secretary General of the Lockwood Group, second only to the president. How could you be fooled by Eliza Sutton too?"

Erik Irvine didn’t bother to explain.

’Whether it’s true or not, I know, and so does President Lockwood.’

Pearl, however, assumed her words had left Erik speechless.

Pearl huffed, tilting her chin up like a triumphant little hen as she turned to Shane Lockwood. "Bro, I also heard you’re planning to appoint Eliza Sutton as chief designer. That’s hilarious! How is she worthy? You should cancel the appointment immediately. Otherwise, it’ll be the most absurd decision you’ve ever made..."

Pearl’s words caught in her throat.

A design sketch had appeared before her eyes.

When Pearl saw the sketch, her eyes lit up.

As the daughter of the Lockwood family, she had seen countless brilliant designs.

But never one as special as this.

She could almost imagine how beautiful the finished product would be. She pictured how stunning she would look at her coming-of-age ceremony in this gown, and how envious all her friends would be.

Forgetting all about attacking Eliza Sutton, Pearl hopped impatiently. "Secretary Irvine, quick, let me see that sketch!"

She reached out to grab it.

Erik Irvine allowed her to take it.

Pearl held the sketch in her hands, gazing at it again and again. With every look, her heart fluttered anew.

If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed a design could captivate her so completely.

"Who designed this? Was it Brenda? Or Dulcie Vaughn? No, no, no, it can’t be them. They aren’t this talented. Bro, where did you find such a brilliant master to design my coming-of-age gown? Have I met this master? Can you introduce me to them?"

"Of course," Shane Lockwood said. "If that’s what you want, as your older brother, I’m happy to oblige."

Erik Irvine added, "Actually, Miss Lockwood, you’ve already met this designer."

"I have? Impossible," Pearl insisted. "This master’s style is so unique and powerful. If I’d met them, I’d definitely remember."

"Miss Lockwood, you have indeed. It was the very person you were just insulting and trying to throw out—Eliza Sutton. Designer Sutton."

"How is that possible?" Pearl was stunned. "A criminal like her has the skill to create such a brilliant design?"

"Shut your mouth!" Shane Lockwood snapped. "Pearl Lockwood, are you accusing me, the president of the Lockwood Group, of being so muddle-headed that I can be fooled like an idiot?"

Pearl was startled and quickly stammered, "No! I didn’t mean that, Bro. I was just so angry." She paused, then asked in a small voice, "Is this design really by Eliza Sutton?"

Erik Irvine nodded. "It is."

"But Eliza Sutton is a criminal." Pearl’s brow furrowed, clearly unable to accept Eliza’s past.

"Since you can’t accept it, I’ll have someone else wear this gown. As for your coming-of-age dress, find whoever you like to design it. If you need money, ask Secretary Irvine. You may leave now."

Pearl wanted to say more, but seeing the dark expression on Shane’s face, she didn’t dare utter another word and could only leave in sullen silence.

The moment the office door closed, Shane Lockwood’s icy voice cut through the silence. "Secretary Irvine, go to HR. Brenda Preston is fired."

’He wasn’t a fool. He knew someone had provoked Pearl into being so impulsive this time.’

’Otherwise, even with Pearl’s pride and her prejudice against Eliza’s prison record, she wouldn’t have caused such a scene.’

Erik Irvine acknowledged the order, offering a silent prayer for Brenda Preston.

’Trying to manipulate the boss’s sister... did she really think President Lockwood was blind?’

Pearl stumbled out of the president’s office, completely crestfallen.

Brenda Preston saw Pearl and hurried over, her face a mask of concern. "Pearl, what’s wrong? Did Shane yell at you because of Eliza Sutton? Don’t take it to heart. Shane’s just been bewitched by her."

Brenda’s words sounded like comfort, but every syllable was designed to sow discord.

But Pearl seemed not to hear her. She grabbed Brenda’s hand. "Brenda, did you see the gown Eliza Sutton designed for my coming-of-age ceremony?"

"I... I saw it." A sense of foreboding washed over Brenda.

Pearl’s eyes were filled with a dazed wonder. "It’s so beautiful. If I wear that gown, I’ll be the most beautiful person there."

Pearl had been completely won over by Eliza’s design.

Brenda silently cursed Pearl for being so spineless, but she had to admit that Eliza’s latest work was breathtaking.

Brenda said, "I admit Eliza has some talent, but she’s an ex-convict. Won’t having someone like that design your coming-of-age gown be bad luck for you?"

"But this gown has completely captivated me. Brenda, you’re not suggesting I settle for less, are you?"

"Of course not. I’m just so sorry I couldn’t design a gown you were happy with. I’ve let you down."

Pearl said, "Brenda, you don’t need to apologize. I see it now. Eliza Sutton is a true genius. Someone with a bit of talent, like you, just isn’t in the same league."

Brenda’s expression turned hideous.

’What a hateful thing to say!’

Brenda didn’t dare let her anger show. Instead, she put on a grateful expression. "Thank you for understanding, Pearl." She sighed. "Eliza Sutton really is lucky. With that little bit of talent, she not only snatched the chief designer position but has also secured her place as Madam Lockwood. I suppose it’s for the best. Pearl, you should try to get along with her from now on. She’s going to be your sister-in-law, after all."

"In her dreams!" Pearl shot back. "I will never accept a woman like that. She wants to secure her position as Madam Lockwood? She’ll have to see if I agree first! As for the chief designer job, if only we could hire Innis. Eliza’s design style is so similar to hers. If Innis designed my gown personally, who would even care about Eliza Sutton?"

Pearl was just talking off the top of her head.

It was common knowledge that Innis was a bitter rival of their design department. She would never design a coming-of-age gown for the young miss of the Lockwood family.

But Brenda took Pearl’s words to heart.

’It seemed she had found a way to crush Eliza Sutton, to utterly destroy her reputation!’