Chapter 54 The Clues
I got out of the cab and headed straight to the cald
Emma’s eyes were red from crying as she stammered out the situation. Alter landing a major contract today, a collisagie discreetly loformed her that she was being replaced. Her boss intended to swap her out for his nephew once everything was underway, denying her any share of the profits.
“The bonus was at least 70 thousand! He’s despicable. He lured me here with sweet talk, only to set me up for a tall!” she kept sobbing;, and her wice grewloaner
As I patted her back, I asked, “Did they get their hands on your confidential designs?”
All documents in the design department were confidential Even though she trusted me a lot, she double–checked all the classified materials herself yesterday. If one wasn’t ange member of the design team, there was no way he could access those files.
Emma pounded the table in anger. “Someone tampered with my computer and copied most of the designs, but I kept the core elements.“.
I nodded. As long as they didn’t have everything, we had some leverage. Her phone rang, and sering the caller, Emma looked annoyed and pet it on speaker.
“Emma, I heard you’re not feeling well and took some time of “Take a few more days off. I know talking is hard for you right now. Don’t worry about the project. My nephew in also a designer and just returned from abroad, he will cover for you for a few days fest up and don’t push yourself too hard”
Seeing the caller ID labeled “Boss,” I realized this was the jerk boss she mentioned, Emma sniffled and managed a nasal “okay” before hanging up.
We exchanged a knowing look, fully understanding the boss‘ intentions. The project had just won the bid, and with the design completed, all it needed was a supervisor. With nephew stepping in, by the time Emma returned, there’d be nothing left for her todo
She slammed the table again. “I won’t give him my designs.” I nodded silently.
Since she’d been removed from her position, there was no need for her to handle this project. But this wasn’t something we could just let slide. We needed a way to prevent her from being scapegoated later.
With the boss’s orders, she naturally didn’t need to return to the company. Since both of us were on lewe, we decided to head home.
We planned on indulging in a hearty fondue to blow off steam, but then I got a call from Leonard “My uncle’s grandson’s birthday is today, and the whole family’s getting together for dinner.”
Thinking about that boisterous kid, I instinctively wanted to decline. Anticipating my response, he quickly added, “I’ve already bought the gift, and Grandpa wants us all there.
Tknew I had to go since fan was mentioned. I glanced at Eroma, who nudged me. “Go ahead. I’ll catch some sleep. Don’t worry.”
After making sure she’d stay home, I left, surprised to find Leonard waiting downstairs. “I figured you’d bail, so I came to get you.” This time, he didn’t bring a driver but drove himself. I didn’t hesitate and got into the front seat.
My action seemed to please him. He spoke in a sodber tone, though he still sounded slightly reproachful.
“Why did you come back so suddenly Weren’t you at the office?
Emma was being sabotaged at work. I had to stand up for her.”
Leonard scoffed. “You’ve always been good to her. You two were like sisters in school”
Isighed. He’d said the same thing back in school. I didn’t have many friends in school, and after being with him, I had even less time to make any. Without Emma, I didn’t know how I would’ve endured my chemotherapy.
Not wanting to dwell on this, I changed the topic. “What’s your take on the Design Department Three?””
I didn’t see the need for it. I managed Design Departments One and Two, which, while not the absolute best, were top–notch in the industry. Adding another department seemed pointless, especially since the people in that department didn’t seem all that capable.
“Luca suggested we take on smaller projects too the last time we talked. The branches need to expand, and he makes a good point. I know you don’t think much of these roo so I didn’t assign them to you.”
“Luca said that?” asked skeptically. He nodded.
Luca was Bob’s son, the birthday boy today. Leonard wasn’t close to most of his family, but he got along with Luca I’d never liked Luca, who always struck me as scheming Something suddenly clicked in my mind, but I couldn’t quite grasp it. Thinking about Lily’s possible involvement in Emma’s issue, I asked, “What did Lily major in?
I vaguely recalled someone mentioning her major wasn’t relevant to her current position. “History? Tourism? I don’t remember. Why do you ask?
Acar in front of us slammed on the brakes, and Leonard swore softly as he braked hard, not paying much attention to my question.
I stared out the window, sensing something was off. When we arrived at the Harmon residence, it felt like all the clues were finally falling into place
