Rural Belle & Three Heirs by Harper Hall

Chapter 132 Who Invited You to Dinner?

Seeing Grant's attitude, Stanley didn't dare say another word.

Sophia was completely flustered, but she still clung to a glimmer of hope. She repeatedly recalled that before she submitted the piece, she had carefully examined it to ensure there were no signatures or markings from Chloe. Therefore, she was convinced that Chloe's claim that her name was on the work was just a bluff to scare her.

"Fine, go ahead and look, Mr. Martin. I stand by what I said I didn't plagiarize," her tone was resolute, but inside she was filled with anxiety and unease. She didn't dare to imagine what kind of humiliation and failure she would face if Chloe could actually prove her claim.

Seeing that Sophia was on the brink of disaster yet remained unrepentant, Chloe was so infuriated that she burst out laughing. She pointed to a spot on the design draft. "Look at this, my name is hidden right here.

I designed a butterfly about to take flight at the neckline of the skirt using my name... Sophia, are you still going to insist this is your work?"

Stanley and the other leaders from the Martin Group leaned in to closely examine the spot Chloe indicated.

Sure enough, the butterfly was crafted using Chloe's name.

"Sophia, are you actually using Chloe's work for the competition? Do you realize that this is illegal?"

"We thought this design was impressive and that you were a capable manager for the Martin Group, but it turns out you plagiarized?"

"Sophia, prepare to face legal consequences."

The leaders of the Martin Group berated Sophia, leaving her stunned. She wanted to defend herself a bit more, but the facts before her seemed to plunge her into an abyss.

Her mind went blank, and despite racking her brain, she couldn't come up with a suitable excuse to exonerate herself. She could only forcibly defend herself, saying, "No... I didn't completely copy it. I made some modifications. This belt here, I designed it myself... Mr. Martin, that belt is truly my design."

Her feeble excuse made everyone present burst into laughter, filled with irony and disdain. To everyone, her justification seemed like a clumsy attempt to escape reality.

Grant's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger. He had initially held high hopes for Sophia, believing she had potential as a designer, but her constant excuses and deceit had left him thoroughly disheartened.

company could tolerate mistakes everyone makes them but it would never tolerate employees who fail to repent

he hadn't discovered this in time, the entire Martin Group might have

sternly ordered his

making excuses. You all, follow company policy

The Martin Group will not allow any employee

Chloe's phone rang. She saw

that had surfaced in the media that morning, Chloe was reluctant

persistent, calling repeatedly, so

Michael to discuss how to handle the aftermath, perhaps asking her

Michael said, "Chloe, I heard from the

an award,"

Martin Group. Come out, and I'll take you to lunch to

pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy

taking me to lunch?" Chloe repeated, not

demanding. He was either on set or in makeup. In the few months she'd been at the Martin Mansion, she'd barely had a chance to dine with him. It was surprising, then, that he was so kindly offering to treat

As your brother, I have to do something. Come

her phone, bewildered. However, Grant had

to lunch? Is

answered honestly, "No,

Michael, Grant's

lunch? Could the rumors from today be true? Was Michael making a move on

No way.

shown no interest in Chloe before. Why

became his rival, Grant wouldn't let it

expression darkened, as if someone owed him