Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 72

RYAN

On the second day, we managed to successfully negotiate a settlement with the company whose design we were accused of stealing. We reached an agreement to keep the matter confidential, away from the prying eyes of the press and the public. which they agreed to uphold.

The issue here is that the already had the design on the process of registration before release, while we worked on release before registeration which is why before the law they are the rightful owners of the design.

Don't get me wrong, I am not accusing this Sophia girl of having stolen the design because YAEW company registered the product before us. The main issue is that during the period when the started the registration process and made necessary payment, Sarah was yet to submit the product.

Feeling tired and mentally drained, I pushed myself to plow through the mountain of work in front of me, hoping to at least grab a proper lunch since I hadn't had a decent meal since yesterday. Suddenly, my phone rang, interrupting my focus. Absently, I reached for it on the table and swiped to answer before placing the call on speakerphone to free up both hands. "Ryan Williams, I greeted, my attention split between the caller and the piles of files demanding my attention.

"What's happening, Ryan?" Lily's voice echoed through my office, instantly grabbing my full attention.

Startled, I tore my gaze away from the hardcopy file in my hand to focus on her words. "What do you mean?" I asked a sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach.

"There are rumors swirling around the internet alleging that your company stole and reproduced a design from YAEW company," Lily informed me, her tone laced with concern.

My eyes widened in disbelief as I swiftly grabbed my tablet, desperate to verify the unfolding crisis. Simultaneously, the door to my office burst open, and Angelo rushed in, his expression grave. "The news is spreading like wildfire on the internet," he blurted out, thrusting a file towards me. "And they're suing us." His words hit me like a punch to the gut as I scanned the summon letter from the court that he brandished before me.

How could this be happening? Hadn't we agreed to keep this matter confidential and settle out of court? "Get Mr. Geo on the line," I instructed sharply, my frustration mounting. Angelo winced, delivering unwelcome news. "He's not taking our calls. They're all being transferred to their legal team."

Running a hand wearily down my face, I felt a surge of exhaustion wash over me. "I'll have to call you back, Lily," I muttered into the phone, abruptly ending the call before she could respond. "Get our legal team here," I commanded Angelo, steeling myself for the battle ahead.

As Angelo confirmed the impending arrival of our legal team, his phone rang, and he apologized before taking the call. Ignoring his distraction, I feverishly scrolled through my phone, searching for contacts who might assist me in this dire situation.

Angelo cleared his throat, drawing my attention. I looked up to find him shifting nervously on his feet. "What's the matter?" I asked wearily, feeling as though things couldn't possibly worsen any further.

"Your father is in the elevator, on his way up to your

he is," I muttered under my

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III

Chapter 22

strode in his gaze sweeping the room until it settled on me. "I entrustslibe company to you and this is how you repay my trai?" he admonished, his voice dripping with disappointment. Ignoring Angelo's attempted greeting,

mustering a facade of

cannot handle. he countered, his disappointment palpable. "How do you expect the company

court?"

made my throbbing headache worst. "This won't go to court, I can assure

nothing to me. The fact that the news is

I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "I've told

table, his expression intense. "What measures did you take

seat. "I had a discussion with Mr. Geo, and we reached an agreement not to escalate the issue publicly while we sought to settle the matter out of court," I explained, hoping

and vehement. He threw his hands up in exasperation. "You did what? You agreed to settle?"

elaborate. "By agreeing to settle, you're essentially admitting to the crime," he explained sternly. "I'd wager every dollar I have that they've got a recording of you suggesting settlement outside of court as evidence of your guilt. By agreeing to your terms and agreeing to refrain from publicizing the issue, they effectively ensured that

Why didn't I consider that angle?" I cursed inwardly, berating myself for not seeing the situation from a strategic perspective. My focus had

"You should have taken the initiative to release the news to the public, despite your promise to YAEW. By doing so, you would have framed the narrative, casting them as the aggressors falsely accusing your company of

his counsel from the start. "What do you suggest I

the eyes of the public," he advised, his tone firm. He fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. "But did we really steal it?" he pondered aloud, his expression troubled. When I confirmed his suspicions, he muttered

to happen. You were

into this," I cautioned him, unwilling

returned my glare with a steely gaze of his own. "I never intended to," he retorted sharply. "I don't have the luxury of discussing individuals of

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