Chapter 42
Sasha occasionally whispered to Lily, who seemed to hesitate, but eventually nodded in agreement.
Before long, Logan and Leo arrived to greet them. As soon as Logan spotted Myra, his eyes brightened and he began to move toward her. However, Leo stepped on his foot, causing Logan to immediately mask his expression. The two of them then walked over to the group, speaking gently, “Miss Stark, Miss Hay, I assume you’re both ready?”
Myra and Sasha nodded in unison.
Logan smiled warmly at Myra, but his smile became more reserved when he looked at Sasha, though he still maintained a polite demeanor. “I heard that Miss Hay and Miss Torres have been here all afternoon. You two seem quite eager.”
Lily’s expression shifted slightly, but Sasha quickly took her hand and responded with a smile, “The early bird catches the worm. It’s better to be prepared for any unexpected changes.” She then turned to Myra. “Am I right, Myra?”
Although Myra felt uneasy, she nodded in agreement.
Soon, they all made their way to the meeting room on the 48th floor, where Tony and other department managers were already seated. As the four of them entered, they quickly took their assigned seats.
Typically, each company would draw lots to determine who would present first. When Sasha received the first pick, her smile widened. “Myra, we’ll start our presentation,” she announced.
Myra couldn’t shake the strange feeling gnawing at her, but she couldn’t pinpoint its source. However, as soon as the Hay Group began laying out their design plans under the lights, Myra’s stomach dropped. Her face turned pale as she realized the shocking truth.
The design plans laid out before her were exactly the same as hers.
No, wait… That design is practically mine! I checked every detail this morning, and now… it’s identical. The little folds, the corners, the minor adjustments—this is my work!
Her hands shook as she gripped the design, realizing that the plans in her hands were the ones she had prepared, but something had changed them.
“Myra, are you alright?” Tilly’s voice broke through her thoughts. Seeing Myra’s ashen face, Tilly assumed she was simply overwhelmed by the Hay Group’s designs. She tried to comfort her. “Don’t worry. We’re here to show them what you’ve got. I trust you!”
But Myra couldn’t respond. Her eyes locked on Sasha, who sat across from her, an expression of disdain in her gaze. Sasha met her eyes and smirked, clearly savoring the moment.
It was impossible for Sasha to have switched the designs without Myra noticing. She hadn’t taken her eyes off them, except for that one moment when she was away from her desk at noon. Who did this? Who would dare tamper with my designs and give them to the Hay Group?
The image of Elsie Foster immediately flashed into Myra’s mind. It was her!
Tony’s attention shifted toward Myra, noticing the change in her expression. Leo, too, caught on to her disquiet and whispered to Tony, “Should I ask Miss Stark if something is wrong?”
Tony shook his head, choosing to redirect his focus back to the Hay Group’s designs.
Sasha, typically the one to present, had Lily step up to explain their design. As she presented, Tony’s brow furrowed. Though Lily’s explanation was clear and confident, a few small mistakes in the data stood out. Still, it wasn’t a major issue.
After the applause died down, it was time for the Chase Group’s presentation. Myra’s palms were slick with sweat. If I back down now, the Sunny Bay Project is gone. But if I present these designs, everyone will see that they’re not mine.
She stood, her heart pounding, torn between pride and frustration. The room, once filled with the buzz of eager anticipation, fell silent as they all turned their eyes on her.
Sasha’s concerned voice cut through the stillness. “Myra, are you okay? Do you need a moment to rest before you continue?”
“No,” Myra responded, her voice icy as she stood up and walked to the stage.
“Myra, the design plans…” Tilly started, worried by Myra’s actions, but Myra cut her off, turning to face Lily. “Miss Torres, do you mind if I use ‘your’ design plans?”
Lily’s face shifted, but she masked it quickly with a calm smile. “If you like our designs, feel free to use them.”
Myra clenched her fists at her sides, trying to keep her composure. This was the most humiliating presentation of her career.
She knew the designs weren’t hers, the data wasn’t hers, and the ideas weren’t hers. Yet, everyone in the room would think otherwise.
The awkwardness was palpable as she recited Lily’s words, repeating everything the Hay Group had said. The room fell into stunned silence, followed by hushed whispers and confused glances.
Finally, a voice broke through the tension.
“Miss Stark, what are you doing?” one of the deputy project managers demanded, his voice sharp. “Are you admitting defeat or blatantly plagiarizing the Hay Group’s designs?”
Myra stood frozen, her body drenched in sweat as the eyes of the room bore into her. “Actually, I also find this strange,” she said slowly, her voice cold. “Why is it that our presentation looks exactly like the Hay Group’s?”
The room erupted in shock. Myra’s words subtly implied that the Hay Group had stolen the designs from the Chase Group.
“You’re crossing the line, Miss Stark,” another voice called out, accusing her. “You brought your own designs but refused to use them. Instead, you insist on using ours and then accuse us of plagiarism. What are you really implying?”
The tension in the room thickened, and Myra stood her ground, her heart racing as the room turned against her.