Eunice snorted, ''has Janice dropped their standards? How could William allow such a person with questionable character work here? I will have a talk with William later. People like her will only tarnish the image of Janice''

At that Mimi and Dindin looked at each other and smiled.

Natalie unaware of what was said about her outside got into the interview room and placed file containing the profiles of the celebrities to be interviewed on the table, ''Jason, this is the file. If you don't need me for anything, I will like to go back and complete the work you gave me this morning''

William looked at her and smiled as he asked, ''why don't you join us, Natalia? Whoever gets to be the representative will be wearing 'Shadowed Beauty' later on after its final design. We will need your views on this since you know best what kind of look it would give to its wearer''

''Sir, I don't think is appropriate for me to be here. I don't qualify to be here'' Natalie said. It was obvious she was feeling uncomfortable.

Amy noticed her nervousness and said to William, ''you're making Natalie uncomfortable. Natalie, if you don't want to be here, you can leave''

''Thank you'' Natalie said and turned to go and Jason held her hand and asked with a worried gaze.

''Are you alright, Natalie? You look pale''

''I'm fine. I will take my leave now''

Just then the door opened and Eunice walked inside the interview room. She and Natalie exchanged gazes before Natalie turned to leave when she walked passed Eunice, the latter said sarcastically.

''William, what criteria did you use in picking the company's employees? Do you just pick any random person on the street to work in Janice? This lady here, isn't she the one whose scandal was all over the internet?'' she turned to glare at Natalie as she said contemptuously.

Natalia stopped at the door and turned to looked at Eunice sharply with disgust. William, Jason and Amy stared at them feeling awkward.

''This is the first time we are meeting and you are already judging me by what the internet says. Don't you think you're been superficial? I don't think I deserve such superfluous statements about myself from you, who I have never had any contact with before in my entire life'' Natalie said as she cocked her brows at her. something she did when someone looked down on her.

Eunice walked closer to Natalie and asked as if daring her to repeat her words, ''what did you just say? Superficial and superfluous? How dare you talk down to your elders in that condescending manner?'' after speaking, she raised her hand and slapped Natalia on the face making everyone in there gasped in shock. Natalia touched her face which had become reddened and chuckled sarcastically making Eunice angry the more.

''Miss Gardener, is your second name 'bully'? Do your fans know this about you? From bullying your juniors in the industry to bullying a mere worker whom you have never met before? You are really a sight to behold''

''How dare you?'' she shouted and lifted her hand again but this time around, Natalie anticipated it hence she quickly caught the hand that was raised again to hit her and pushed Eunice aside. Eunice stumbled a bit and Amy held her and Natalie looked at her coldly.

''Slapping me the first time, I would have considered that as a mistake but trying to hit me the second time is something I will not allow. If you have something against me, then, just say it but if you act this shameless towards me again, I can assure you I won't be this calm. I know how to protect myself from bullies like you. You asked the vice president the criteria used in picking employees? I will tell you. they did an interview and found me qualified and picked me. I didn't pass through any back door to get here. You came here with Mimi Song and you bullied Alice Jun in the elevator and now you want to bully me too? What right do you think you have to be doing that? coming here with Mimi Song hand in hand, isn't that announcing to all the other artistes who are equally qualified that they should go because the contract already belongs to Mimi and you're backing her?

''Let me tell you something Eunice Gardener, I am naturally a cool person with all senses intact, I welcome people's views and I don't judge them but, it doesn't also mean I am so weak that I will accept just anyone's views about me and I certainly will not allow myself to be a victim to people who think they can do whatever they want simply because they are blessed with money and power. If you dare try to bully me or say anything about me again, then, I will show you just how rude I can be when I need to be. You can tell them to fire me, I don't care''

The room became quiet and the atmosphere turned awkward as everyone looked at Natalie. Even Eunice was taken aback by her long speech but thinking about how Mimi had said earlier on that the Sun family had abandoned her, she didn't feel threatened by Natalie.

Eunice clapped her hands saying, ''what a nice speech there? I can see your lack of character clearly shows that you lack parental guidance? I heard you left the house and followed a man? What else can be expected from a girl who married because of money? People like you are the reason why anyone thinks is easy to enter into the high society''

Natalie chuckled and asked, 'are you by any chance talking about yourself?''

''What?''

''Your words, are exactly mine to you. If you keep provoking me; then don't say I didn't warn you'' Natalie said and opened the door. She saw the artistes and other workers by the door eavesdropping. Eunice looked at Natalia's disappearing silhouette angrily.

Eunice, what was the meaning of that?'' William asked as Amy hurriedly shut the door after Natalie left.

Eunice turned to William and said in a sharp tone, ''didn't you see the way that little bitch spoke to me?''

''You started it first; as if she was already your target'' Jason said, supporting Natalie.

''What?''

''I really held you in high esteem but watching how you just bullied my employee, I have my doubts about the fairness of whatever we're going to do today. William, excuse me, I need to go and check on my junior'' Jason added and walked out of the interview room. He was someone who always stood by her juniors especially if they were in the right.

William sighed and said to Eunice, ''let's have a word in my office. Amy, tell the artistes present to come in a week's time for the interview. Lay my apologies to them and compensate them for their time today''

''Yes, William''

''Let's go, Eunice''

Mimi and the rest looked at door as William and Eunice got out. They walked away towards the elevator while Amy stopped in front of the artistes and spoke.

''I'm sorry everyone but, the casting and interview for today has being cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. I apologise on behalf of the Vice President and the HR officer. Your time will be duly compensated''

The artistes and their assistants murmured among themselves. Mimi clutched her fists and muttered, 'that bitch might have done something again''

Alice stood up from her seat and spoke to Niania, ''Niania, let's go to the washroom first''

LADIES WASHROOM.

Lucy watched Natalie as she poked inside one of the stills. She became increasingly worried after the latter didn't response to any of her words.

''Nat, talk to me. Are you alright? What happened in there? Say something, I'm getting worried'' Natalia opened the still and got out with puffy eyes and Lucy screamed, ''what happened to you?''

Natalia went to the sink and washed her face before saying to Lucy, ''could you bring my bag for me?''

''Sure, wait for me'' Lucy bumped into Alice as she turned towards the door and apologised, ''I'm sorry''

''Is alright, you can go'' Alice waited for Lucy to leave before she gave Niania a signal to lock the door and the latter did and even stood by it outside to make sure no one would get it.

Alice walked closer to Natalie and noticed the change in her breathing sound, ''big sis, what happened in there?''

Natalie opened her mouth to speak and her body started shaking. Alice quickly held her hands saying anxiously, ''oh, no, not here. Natalia, look at me''

Natalie looked at Alice before her legs became weak and she fell to the floor. she moved and hid under the sink and started speaking incoherently, ''don't hurt me, please don't hurt me'' she flunked away Alice's hands as she tried to hold her.

''Nat, is me your sister. Is Alice, I'm not going to hurt you, you're safe with me'' Natalia shook her head as she moved further towards the wall.