Selina thought it was in the wrong folder but couldn’t find it anywhere.
When Manfred returned, he saw her struggling in front of the laptop.
He asked with a frown, “What’s wrong?”
“My draft is gone!” she replied, “It was in my laptop this afternoon, but I couldn’t find it when I came back. What should I do? There’s a meeting tomorrow. I thought I could win the case this time.”
He frowned harder. “Has anyone touched your laptop?”
She shook her head and said, “It has been with me the whole time….” Then she suddenly paused.
“When I was about to get off work, I printed some documents and went to get them. Denise said she could watch my laptop for me.”
“It was her? But how could it be? She’s so great at this already!”
Selina wasn’t naïve. But she respected Denise and couldn’t figure out why Denise did it.
Manfred disagreed, “Because she is capable, she doesn’t want anyone to steal her spotlight. You are so confident, so of course she wants you to go.”
Selina smiled bitterly, “How stupid of me.”
“It’s not that. You just tend to assume everyone is honest.”
As soon as he finished speaking, she took a deep breath and typed on the keyboard again. “No matter what, I have to start over.”
He was taken aback. This little woman was full of surprises. He had thought she would give up, but she was back in the game.
“A penny for your thoughts?” he asked.
“My draft was Chinese-style, but Denise took it, so I can’t use it anymore in case she tricks me. So, to be safe, I need to work with other styles! I prefer something simple,” she said.
He nodded. “It’s good to be simple, but it’s hard to stand out when you have so many excellent competitors.”
How could Selina not know that? However, time is limited, so it is the only way.
“How about modern Chinese style!” he suggested.
“What?” She was surprised. “Why didn’t I think of it?”
Modern Chinese style was a variation of the Chinese style. It was preferred by young people. Besides, older people would find it lovely, and most importantly, it was easier to draw the draft.
She hugged his neck happily and kissed him on the cheek. Then she got back to work.
A faint smile touched his lips. Manfred put down his coat and went to the study.
The next morning, in the meeting room of Long Peace Group.
Denise was no longer as warm as she had been yesterday. She gave Selina a crooked smile. “Selina, have you finished your draft?”
Selina said coldly, “I thought you knew.”
“What does that mean? What does your draft have to do with me?” Denise countered.
Selina ignored her and walked straight to her seat, sitting down.
Not long after, Darnell arrived, and the meeting officially began.
Every designer presented his draft and explained it. As Manfred had said, most of them were of the simple style, and if she had also gone for it, she wouldn’t stand out.
It was Denise’s turn. The projector was on, and everyone was fascinated by the dainty Chinese-style design.
Selina trembled all over and couldn’t look away.
It was her design, down to every detail. She was shocked by how shameless Denise was.
Selina had thought Denise just wanted her to have no draft to present or intended to accuse her of plagiarizing. However, the bitch just took her hard work for her own benefit.
The only different thing about this draft was the name of the designer.
“It’s so beautiful. It’s been so long since I’ve seen such a beautiful design,” everyone praised it.
“Denise will win again. Why is she so awesome?”
“We still have a long way to go!”
Selina was simmering with rage.
Darnell asked, “Selina? Where is your draft?”
Noticing that Selina was silent, Denise said with hypocritical generosity, “Mr. Cornell, Selina is new here. She still needs to learn. If she is not ready, then cut her some slack. Get her in my team, and I will help her.”
Everyone buttered Denise up, “Denise, you’re so kind.”
“No, no, we’re all colleagues here.”
Selina sneered, “No need!”
Denise pretended she didn’t mind. “It’s fine, Selina.”
Selina ignored her and connected her computer with the projector.
Denise was surprised and thought Selina had saved a copy. However, Selina had just come here. Who would believe the draft was actually hers? With that thought, Denise relaxed.
Denise crossed her arms and sat down with a smile.
Selina did not present her draft but described it first.
“I am going for the Chinese style.”
“You, too?” Everyone was shocked.
“Denise, have you been helping her without us knowing?”
Just as Denise was about to say yes, Selina beat her to it, “No! It’s all me.”
She sounded hostile, and no one spoke.
Darnell said, “Let’s take a look.”
The draft slowly came into view. Although both drafts were Chinese-style, Denise’s was dainty, and Selina’s was refreshing.
It didn’t have the complicated patterns or solemn colors common in traditional Chinese designs but was perky and modern.
Nonetheless, the unique cultural beauty was still there. It was beyond pleasing.
Denise stared fixedly at the screen, and her smile faded away.
“Alright!” Darnell broke the silence, “It’s too perfect.”
No one dared to counter the general manager. Moreover, it was indeed great.
“Selina, you are amazing. You came up with a perfect design on your first try!”
“That’s right. Selina, I wish you can teach me how.”
Denise got mad as she listened and stood up, pointing at Selina. “Mr. Cornell, she plagiarized me!”
Selina was so angry she started to laugh. It looked like Denise was good at being a thief and blaming the theft on the victim.
Darnell was shocked. “How?”
“That’s right! Miss Atton, on what ground?” Selina asked.
“Style!” Denise gritted her teeth and said, “Yesterday at lunch, she asked me what style I would go. I told her I would choose the Chinese style. So, she took my idea and put it into her work. Ask everyone if we had lunch yesterday.”