Although Niamh often felt busy, her life was fulfilling, and she never complained.
That day, she was summoned to the conference room.
There were only two people inside–Jonathan and Marina.
Judging by the stern look on Jonathan’s face, Niamh doubted this was a personal matter. But if it was business, why bring Marina along? Was he really that smitten?
A tight feeling settled in her chest, and being alone with the two of them made her uncomfortable.
“Mr. Thomas…” she greeted, keeping her tone formal.
At work, he treated her strictly by the book, and she returned the favor.
“Was it you?” Jonathan snapped, tossing a folder onto the table in front of her.
Niamh frowned in confusion.
“Leaking the new T&R product designs to Altair & Finch and selling them off–Niamh, I don’t care how much you dislike me, but there’s a limit. This company isn’t your playground.”
Jonathan’s words were icy cold, even though he didn’t raise his voice.
Niamh clenched her cool fingers, then silently picked up the file and read it from
start to finish.
She could handle Jonathan’s accusations. What irritated her was the look of
amusement on Marina’s face, like she was enjoying the show.
“Our new T&R piece this quarter is identical to A&F’s. They even launched it at the exact same time. Unless someone inside leaked my new design, how else would A&F have gotten it?”
“Your new design?” Niamh shot Marina a look. There was not a hint of guilt on
Marina’s face.
The T&R design that matched Altair & Finch’s was Niamh’s own work. She didn’t know when or how Marina had copied it, but copied it she had.
“That’s my design,” Niamh stated flatly.
Jonathan gave a dismissive laugh. “You really think I’ll believe that?”
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“Believe it or not–doesn’t matter to me
He clearly hadn’t expected Niamh to be so defiant. Jonathan’s face grew colder.
“I was willing to let this go if you just admitted what you did. But if you insist on this attitude-*
“Why should I admit to something I didn’t do?”
Marina hadn’t expected Niamh to stand her ground, especially in front of Jonathan. Trying to smooth things over, she said, “Let it go, Jonathan. With Niamh’s attitude… maybe we should just leave it and count our losses.”
“Hold on,” Niamh cut her off, blocking Marina’s way. “You may want to drop this, but I won’t.”
Marina shrank back, suddenly looking like a nervous schoolgirl caught in the
wrong.
“Take it easy…”
“You stole my design and now you’re trying to pin it on me-
“Niamh-” Jonathan’s voice sliced through, cold as ice.
“You’re accusing Marina of stealing your work? Where’s your proof?”
He wrapped a reassuring arm around Marina’s trembling shoulders and, seeing that Niamh couldn’t answer, gave her a thin, superior smile.
“You’re an employee of The Thomas Group. Even if the design was yours, selling it to a competitor is a breach of contract. You’d still face consequences.”
“I’m a secretary here,” Niamh replied coolly. “My contract only says I can’t moonlight at another firm in the same field. I haven’t broken any rules. But you’re welcome to sue me–maybe the Thomas family’s legal team can win that case for you.”
With that, she strode out of the room without looking back.
Inside the conference room, Marina glanced over and, for a rare moment, saw confusion and doubt flicker across Jonathan’s handsome features.
Her heart clenched with anxiety. She quickly grabbed his hand.
“Jonathan, I never copied Niamh’s design. You have to believe me!”
His attention returned to her, and Marina’s teary–eyed vulnerability was almost moving.
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20.05
He nodded. “Of course I believe you.”
Yet, a week later, The Thomas Group issued a full recall of the T&R jewelry line that had matched Altair & Finch’s design exactly.
20:06
