Chapter 5

Halfway through, I stretched and planned to take a short break.

I was curious about what Katherine was up to.

Just as my mind wandered, Daniel and my husband Mark showed up.

I wondered how they knew I was here.

The next second, Daniel placed a steaming food container on my desk. "We were afraid you'd get so wrapped up in work you'd forget to eat, so we brought you something."

My husband Mark also handed me a thermos. "Freshly squeezed orange juice. I know your stomach is sensitive, so I already warmed it up."

The two of them looked so sincere. There was no way they seemed like people who would harm me.

Had I been overthinking?

But if it wasn't them, who was it?

My mind was a mess. I forced a smile. "You guys came just in time. I was getting hungry."

"Let me wash my hands, and I'll eat right away."

I grabbed my phone and headed to the washroom area.

But instead of going into a stall, I opened Katherine's internal forum by the sink.

Sure enough, she had posted another update.

"What bad luck. I kindly shared my preliminary thoughts on the project, and someone actually stole the core ideas directly. Even though the ideas might not be fully mature, doing this is really disgusting. So, I've decided to restructure my entire proposal."

The attached photo was a silhouette of a woman working in a co-working space.

Anyone familiar with me would recognize that silhouette as mine.

But who took this photo?

In the comments, someone asked Katherine what new architecture she planned to use.

Katherine said she wanted to use a very cutting-edge, almost risky technical route this time.

I was instantly alarmed.

I hadn't told anyone about adopting a new architecture.

Even if it were a coincidence, Katherine wouldn't choose a direction she wasn't good at with such high risk, right?

There had to be a spy for her near me!

Was it Daniel or my husband Mark?

Or were both of them involved?

But what on earth did they stand to gain?

Just then, someone suddenly tapped my shoulder. "Eve, what are you spacing out about?"

I was startled.

It was Daniel and my husband Mark, who had come to the break area looking for me.

They'd been worried because I hadn't returned, so they came to check.

Still shaken, I replied vaguely, "Daniel, why don't you guys go back first? I'll eat later."

The moment I finished, my husband Mark exploded. "Evelyn Sinclair, we came all the way here to bring you food, and this is your attitude?"

"Don't think I don't know you've been guarding against us for days. You don't appreciate anything!"

Daniel quickly explained, "Mark just speaks bluntly. Don't take it personally."

"I know you're under a lot of pressure with the project. Mark and I are just worried about you."

I hurriedly said, "Daniel, I know you're both doing this for my own good."

"How about I go back to my own apartment for the next few days? That way you won't have to run back and forth."

My husband Mark rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'm done waiting on you!"

With that, he dragged Daniel out of the co-working space.

I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At 10:30 that night, I returned to the company dormitory.

The moment I walked in, I heard my roommate discussing Katherine.

I leaned over to look. It was a photo.

The photo showed three hands clinking drinks together.

Caption: "Love from my big brothers~"

I recognized them instantly — those were Daniel's and my husband Mark's hands.

When did they get so close? I had no idea.

I pulled out my phone to check Katherine's social media.

And I saw comments from Daniel and my husband Mark.

"Katherine will always be the goddess in my heart."

"Don't worry, Katherine, your big brother has a way to make sure you win the project."

I blinked, wondering if I was seeing things.

But when I refreshed, the comments were deleted.

It seemed the plagiarism was definitely connected to them.

Reaching that conclusion, I didn't feel much emotion.

Once I knew who was behind it, it was easier to handle.

I had no intention of going back to my brother's house before the presentation anyway. They probably wouldn't be able to help Katherine copy anymore.

I could prepare my new proposal in peace.