Alice met Luke''s father''s gaze, a slight smirk ying on her lips.
“Let''s wait until the event ends. No rush. Everyone''s watching; the giarism will be exposed!” “Alice, watch your words!"
He''d been called a giarist! Luke''s father was furious. Using Alice''s ideas hadn''t been hist original n; it was an impromptu change.
Alice merely smiled sarcastically and returned to her seat.
The otherpanies continued their presentations.
Alice''s actions shocked the Maple Leaf team. The man who''d earlier questioned Alice was now silent and ashamed.
The representative cautiously asked, "Alice, Mr. Windham is your brother. Are you really going to pursue this?"
They hadn''t expected Alice to be a heiress, so intelligent and driven, leaving no room for ordinary people! Alice replied coldly, "I said we''ve cut ties. He''s nothing to me.”
The
representative looked at Alice''s
"Yes, and he''s rich. Isn''t cutting ties a waste?"
People dreamed of having a wealthy brother!
expression. "He''s still your
brother."
Alice was impatient. "I don''t need your advice. I''m the project lead. I must pursue this giarism
case!"
Alice''s tone was firm. The representative fell silent.
Alice''s phone buzzed. She nced at it:"[Alice, Dad wasn''t involved. Please don''t pursue this. Consider it a plea from Sixth Brother.]"
“Tsk!”
Sarcasm flickered in Alice''s eyes. A plea? What a pathetic disy!
Alice looked at Luke, coldly deleting the message without replying.
Luke knew she''d refused.
Luke''s father looked. at Chloe and Luke. You better exin this.
me!"
His meticulously prepared project had been crushed and humiliated by Alice! He couldn''t swallow his pride! If he hadn''t used the ideas Chloe had stolen, this wouldn''t have happened!
The event concluded with the director''s closing reDaniels. But nobody left; the giarism issue remained unresolved. Everyone wanted to see the oue.
Alice watched Luke''s father, grim-faced, leave with Chloe and Luke.
Outside, Luke''s father was furious.“What are we going to do? Didn''t you realize Alice set a trap?”
Two idiots!
Chloe cried, exining, “Dad, Alice tricked me."
Luke stared at Chloe. You were tricked! When I noticed, I should''ve stopped you, not collude with you!"
Chloe''s hands trembled.
Her voice choked with tears."Dad, I was blinded. You''ve worked so hard, dealing with the Garcias because of Alice.
I thought if Alice failed, she''d realize how hard life is outside and return to the Windham family. I''m sorry, Dad. Sixth Brother and I didn''t mean to,"
Luke''s father angrily tugged at his tic. “What am I supposed to say? Think of a solution!" Luke looked at Chloe, then said, "Dad, this has nothing to do with me! Chloe stole Alice''s data!"
"Yes, it''s all my fault. Sixth Brother isn''t involved."
Joe shrunk back, looking pathetic.
Luke''s father nced at Chloe, then at Luke, displeased. "You''re her brother. You can''t shirk responsibility and let Chloe take the me!"
"No, no, Dad! It really wasn''t me!"
"You two came together. Chloe spoke, but you knew and participated.
Now it''s exposed, and you say you''re not involved?"
Luke was distraught. He hadn''t done anything; it was all Chloe''s idea! Luke looked at Chloe. Exin it to Dad. Was it solely your doing? I tried to stop you!"
Chloe''s lips were tight. She whispered, "Yes, it was all me, Dad."
Luke''s father pulled Chloe close. “Don''t be afraid of Sixth Brother. I''ll protect you. You don''t have to take all the me."
Chloe nodded obediently."If Alice pursues this, me me. Don''t let it affect Sixth Brother''s future."
"Chloe, what are you saying?"
Luke looked at Chloe incredulously. This wasn''t his fault! But in his father''s eyes, he was an aplice! Alice walked over, smiling. "So, have you decided how to resolve this? Everyone''s waiting."
Luke''s father, grim-faced, lowered his voice."Alice,
“Didn''t you teach me? I learned quickly."
you yed dirty."
Alice smiled. “Mr. Windham, think about how to resolve this. Let me learn. Though I probably won''t need to!"
"You!"
Luke''s father was furious.
Chloe hid behind him, unable to speak, to face Alice.
Luke''s father swallowed his anger."Alice, what do you
"I said you''d pursue
pursue it legally.
Alice''s tone was calm, her eyes steady.
want?"
I''ll do the
same.
Let''s pursue it legally!"
Luke''s father gritted his teeth. I give you money aspensation. Let''s forget this.
"Unfortunatch,
more worthwhile
I think
"Alice, don''t push it!"
have you
disqualified."
Alice covered her mouth, deliberately raising her voice."Pushing it? I''m following the rules. Where''s the pushing it?"
“Alice, Chloe and Sixth Brother didn''t mean to. They were careless. You don''t have to pursue this over a small matter."
"You mean they carelessly sat in front of myptop, carefully reviewing my ideas, meticulously. photographing them, then giving them to you, and you incorporating them into your presentation?
Carelessly presenting it, you mean?
Alice''s tone was cold. "You probably think they were carelessly caught, with undeniable evidence, facing the consequences, right?"
Luke''s father was furious! Yet he couldn''t argue.
“Alice, must you be so infuriating? I''ve been working outside, and I didn''t realize you''d be like this."
Luke''s father remembered the obedient Alice from his childhood.
Alice''s tone was unyielding, assertive.
Luke''s father realized Alice wasn''t the timid and fearful girl she used to be. Luke''s father softened. "As long as you don''t pursue this, what do you want? Alice, no matter the conflict, we''re family. Can''t we talk?"
Sarcasm yed on Alice''s lips. Family now?
Her voice was t. "We can''t talk."
Alice
knew
Luke''s
father''s
tactics.
had This
happened countless
times!
Alice turned to the director. "I demand the Windham Corporation be disqualified."
"Alice, you dare!"