Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 142

I took the smartphone from his hand, and almost instantly, I was sure it was my design.

More specifically, it was my initial draft, a few details still rough around the edges, yet someone had copied it verbatim.

But it was exactly this unfinished state that clued me in on how my design ended up with Margaret, sending a chill down my spine.

"Don't worry." Mark's voice was soothing, like a balm to my worries, "Before you figure out how to prove it's your design, I'll keep this under wraps."

"No need to hide it."

I brushed my hair behind my ear, offering a wry smile, "Let's air this dirty laundry – the more fuss it causes, the better."

I hadn't anticipated Margaret would be so bold as to swipe so much from me.

Since she'd thrown down the gauntlet, I was not opposed to teaching her a lesson.

Mark's eyes, clear and serene, crinkled with a smile, "I was worried these consecutive issues would get you down, but it seems you've already got a plan?"

"Yep."

I nodded, "Back in college, our professor always said, in our line of work, to protect your designs, you must always be ready to prove they're yours."

Joy danced in Mark's eyes, "Three years on, you've only gotten better and more adept at safeguarding what's yours."

I chuckled, puzzled, "Mark, how come you're so sure this design is mine? Didn't you ever doubt, even for a second, that I might have copied Margaret?"

"The Jane I know isn't someone who'd ever rip off someone else's work." He was confident, then added with a light laugh, "Besides, ever heard of backing up your friends, right or wrong?"

"Huh?"

"We're friends, aren't we?"

He teased, half-joking, "Whatever you do, I've got your back."

I couldn't help but laugh, "Is that how you treat all your friends?"