Chapter 43
Sasha, clearly aggrieved, stood up amidst the whispers of the room. “If that’s the case, why don’t you open the design plans you brought so that everyone can have their say?”
A flicker of disdain flashed in Sasha’s eyes, though it was hidden from view.
At that moment, Myra’s nails dug deep into her palms. The design plans I brought have been altered. What’s there to even show? She knew someone had orchestrated this setup in advance, but she refused to back down. She needed to try, even if nothing she did could change the situation.
“Fine! What’s there to fear? I trust Miss Stark!” Tilly’s angry voice cut through the tension, and Myra tried to stop her, but it was too late. Tilly swiftly brought the design plan to the square table and opened it.
“What is this?!” Tilly’s scream echoed through the room. She quickly attempted to cover the plans, but a hand stopped her before she could.
The design was revealed, and soon, laughter began to ripple through the room, followed by mockery.
“Miss Stark, is this the design plan the Chase Group decided to present to the Hart Group?” The deputy manager sneered, pointing at a poorly drawn figure of a man in various poses. “Looks like the Chase Group didn’t send a designer after all. Instead, they sent a fangirl!”
Myra’s face flushed crimson, her body trembling from the embarrassment of it all. She had never felt so humiliated in her life.
Suddenly, a deep voice resonated in the meeting room. “Mr. Gardner,” it called.
Since Myra had started presenting, Tony had remained silent, but now he slowly stood up, exuding an aura of quiet authority. His presence was commanding, his black suit only accentuating the intensity of his gaze. His eyes swept over the room, forcing everyone to lower their heads in silence, even Mr. Gardner, who let out an awkward cough.
As Tony’s gaze settled on the design plan, he paused. It was clear that the man depicted in the sketches was none other than him. The poses—the walking, sitting, thinking, and even the raised eyebrow—were all undeniably based on him. He glanced over at Myra, whose eyes were closed in resignation.
“If Miss Stark is a genius with the ability to memorize everything at first sight, I must say I’m deeply impressed by her audacity to ‘plagiarize’ the Hay Group’s designs right in front of all of us,” Tony’s voice was calm, but it carried an undeniable weight. His words seemed to accuse Myra, but the underlying tone felt strangely different. Even Mr. Gardner furrowed his brow, catching the meaning behind Tony’s words.
Everyone recalled how Lily had referred to her drawings when explaining the Hay Group’s designs, yet Myra hadn’t even looked at her own outline when explaining hers. She seemed so familiar with every detail of the design, almost as though she had memorized it. But how could she have such a deep understanding of a design she had never seen before? It seemed unlikely she could’ve copied it without someone giving her a heads-up. But who would have risked such a thing? Why would either group engage in such a blatant act of deception?
Tony’s words hung in the air as the room absorbed the tension.
“Director Hart…” Sasha stood up, her voice breaking the silence. “I remember you once said the Hart Group would severely punish those who plagiarize, but I beg you to consider that Myra might have had a reason for her actions. The Hay Group won’t hold the Chase Group accountable, so I hope the Hart Group will show the same leniency.”