Chapter 80: A Clue
Sinful: Whatcha up to? Got some minutes to spare?
Mark read the message over and over while looking from his computer to the mountain of files he had to work on, courtesy of Federick and his father who had begun stirring troubles in the group after their one-time success.
After their last meeting at the tea house, Mark was able to confirm one of his suspicions. And that is that Sinful is a lady hiding under the disguise of a man.
Having an understanding of how their business world works, he could understand why she needed to hide her identity, especially her gender. Females are easily ostracised in the kind of work she does.
However, one thing he could find an answer to, no matter how much he asked, is why his mind randomly drifts to her as of late.
‘I am indeed in awe of her intelligence but why do I get curious about her personal life?’ That’s been one of the questions bugging him without anyone to answer.
His hands hovered over the keyboard as he thought about the response to give. He typed out some words and then deleted them, only to repeat the same procedure about three times before finally sending a response.
Alpha: I’m free. Is there something you’d like to discuss?
After sending the reply, his eyes flickered to the files again, and he let out a sigh. ‘It’s just going to be for a few minutes, he thought to himself.
Sinful: Do you know anything about the Lim family?
Alpha: The Lim family with the RS pharmaceuticals?
Sinful: Yeah, that one.
Alpha: Mmm. I know something about them. But you’ll have to pay me to hear it from me.
Sinful: oh? Is young Master Alpha in need of such a small amount of money?
Alpha: It’s business, and no amount is small. I won’t even mind a dinner.
Lily let out a giggle as she read the last message.
Sinful: Well, too bad. I’m not trying to get bad information from you. I’m trying to give you a way to create a distraction for your cousin.
Alpha: Oh? Is that so? I’m a bit disappointed; I was looking forward to a dinner with you to have a business talk.
Alpha: You found something?
Sinful: Yes, I did while looking for information for a client. Your cousin is involved with them, and they are his major sponsors.
Alpha: Then what did you find?
Sinful: (files attached) heard they are under the watchful gazes of the government. The content in those files can keep them busy for a while. They are real, so you won’t have to worry about their authenticity.
Alpha: I’ve never doubted your work ethic. However, why will it only keep them busy for a while? Do you plan to keep them around a little longer?
Sinful: The ones I sent to you only contained their misconduct with their legal business, not the underworld business. It’ll take a little while longer for me to dig out something that’ll put them away forever.
Alpha: Alright. I’ll make use of this properly; you have nothing to worry about.
Sinful: It’ll be better if you used the information as soon as possible, I know I’m not supposed to be telling you this, but it’ll be better if you do it in a way that it won’t be traced back to you or Watson. Lim has connections with the government and even the international cartels.
Mark felt his heart beat against his ribcage as he read her message. He had somehow interpreted her warning to mean that she cared for his safety. Shaking the wild thought in his mind away, he went back to replying to her.
Alpha: Thanks for your concern, but just stay glued to the news, and you’ll be awed by my efficiency. I was going to message you later, but we acquired the copyright, and we can start working on the Nex.
Sinful: Yes! Finally! I’ll send you the programme, and we can test-run it.
Alpha: I’ll prepare while awaiting your feedback. I have to go now; I have a meeting to attend.
Lily walked out of her room to see Zara slumped on the chair, looking tired and listless with massive eye bags.
“Long night?” She asked while brewing a cup of coffee for the older lady.
“And it’s freaking tiring too,” Zara groaned out. “How could someone cause that much trouble? Now we have to find the real owner of the design that they both claim to own.”
“Daisy owns the design,” Lily voiced as she served the coffee and handed it to Zara, who muttered, ‘Thank you.
“Even if you say that, there is no way to know for sure that she owns it. We need evidence, not word of mouth. They both have an alibi to prove they own the design. We can’t just take one and leave the other,” Zara complained, and Lily hummed.
“You’ve known her the longest; don’t you have a way to know if she owns the design?” Zara asked carefully, and Lily smiled.
“I told you, Daisy owns the design, not Merrisa. She’s not that creative when it comes to making such amazing designs,” Lily explained.NôvelDrama.Org copyrighted © content.
“And no, this has nothing to do with the feud between us. I’m saying this because I’ve known her the longest,” she added, making Zara sigh in frustration.
“Daisy provided some evidence to show she owns the design, but it isn’t enough to overrule the case and announce her as the winner. After all, we are going against the yellow hill,” she explained.
“Then have both of them battle it out. They can make another design or submit a new design, and you judge them based on that. Although it won’t prove who plagiarised the first design, it will at least help you have a better understanding of their style,” Lily suggested.
“Daisy’s style has been consistent from the beginning of the competition. She loves flowers, and she has found ways to incorporate them into her designs all through the past.” Lily pointed it out.
“However, Marissa’s style keeps changing at every stage. I know that’s not enough to decide who owns the design, but that’s a clue. Have both of them work on a style similar to what they are fighting on right now, and you’ll be able to tell who stole,” Lily explained calmly, and Zara nodded.
“Not to intrude, but why do you guys hate each other so much?” She asked, and Lily’s smile faltered as the memories of the owner being pushed down the stairs flashed through her mind.
“I don’t hate her specifically; me hating her would just mean that she has a special place in my life.” Lily shrugged.
“I just really dislike people who would go any length to get what they want without fearing who gets hurt along the way.”