Love’s Change of Heart novel Chapter 408
She nodded with a smile. "See you tomorrow."
After they were gone, she took a glance at Zoe, who was already wearing her bag, and arched her brow. "You…"
Zoe coughed to conceal her embarrassment. "I'm not going to do anything. I'm just going to work out."
Leanna shuffled toward the pantry and poured herself a cup of water before teasing her with a smile. "You're going on a date with Daniel, aren't you?"
Zoe walked up to her and leaned against the wall. "Well…" She hung her head low and clenched the bag's strap. "We're just going out for dinner."
Leanna took a sip of the water and glanced at the person outside. "Go now. He's waiting."
Seeing that she looked outside, Zoe followed her gaze and pursed her lips. After giving it some thought, she suggested, "Since there's nothing else to do in the studio now, why don't you come with us?"
"I can't. Aidan… is coming over."
Both ladies appeared to have plans after work. At the mention of Aidan, Zoe sported a cheeky smile as she bid Leanna goodbye. "I'll get out of your way, then. See you."
Leanna dipped her head. "Be careful."
After Zoe left, Leanna closed the glass door. Just as she was ready to return to the studio, she saw someone peering at her from a car across the street. The car had been there for quite a while.
Noticing her stare, the person in the car pocketed his gaze and left the place, following behind Daniel's car.
Seeing that, Leanna pressed her lips together. If she wasn't mistaken, that person was supposed to be Lloyd's subordinate.
When she returned to the office, she put down the cup and picked up a pen. After some contemplation, she still couldn't draw anything. Instead, she jotted down some names on the draft paper—Lloyd, Georgina, Daniel, Mr. Jackson, Elijah, and Mr. Muston, who had passed her the key to the warehouse and then disappeared previously.
She swept a glance over the names on the paper, and after pondering on it for a moment, she added one more name—William.
Although William didn't seem to have anything to do with the series of incidents, he had all sorts of connections with the people on the list.
Leanna recalled that when she and Elijah dropped by Mr. Jackson's house the other day, William and Elijah didn't seem to know each other. They only exchanged greetings politely.
That was odd, for Elijah was on good terms with Mr. Jackson, who seemed to be closer to William than they appeared.
With Mr. Jackson around, Elijah and William would have had chances to meet up. The only explanation was that they weren't close, or they pretended not to know each other. Regardless, all of them—Daniel, Mr. Jackson, and the others—shared the same goal, which was to destroy Lloyd.
On the other hand, William, who was seemingly an outsider, managed to successfully bid for a Crossley Group project by chance. When all the dots were connected, it was hard for anyone to believe that William had only come to this country to expand his business.
Though having a vague idea of the relationships, Leanna could not figure out what went on behind the scenes. Irritated, she scratched all the names with her pen.
Just then, a man whispered in her ear. "What are you doing?" he asked.
An unsuspecting Leanna was astounded, so she subconsciously tipped her head back and accidentally crashed into the man's warm chest.
Aidan's lips curved into a smile as he placed his hands on her shoulders. She was speechless, thinking that the man had done it deliberately.
Aidan asked, "Have you had dinner?"
"Didn't you tell me to wait for you?"
The man raised his brows. "Let's go, then."
Leanna packed up her stuff and pulled the draft paper off. Then, she crumpled it into a ball and threw it into the trash can.
Sitting at the dinner table with the man, she took the chance to ask for some input. "I saw the Pearson's Group announcement today. What do you think of the incident?"
"Are you talking about the cheating or the bribery case?"
Leanna asked doubtfully, "Aren't they the same thing?"
Aidan filled her cup with water. "They used to be the same thing, but now we're dealing with them separately."
"What do you mean?"
"Someone has accused Queenie of cheating in the competition and bribing the judges. There's solid evidence for the cheating case. As for the bribery case, there isn't any evidence to prove his claim. Additionally, the judges have denied receiving any bribes. So, we can only deal with the cases separately."
Hearing that, Leanna furrowed her brows. "There's indeed no solid evidence to prove that Queenie is guilty of bribing the judges. Moreover, I don't think she's powerful enough to do such a thing. However, the organizer has investigated Robert and found that he's not the culprit."
Aidan uttered slowly, "Since she's not capable of doing such a thing, we don't have to waste any more time on her."
Leanna was startled for a moment before realizing something. She had almost forgotten that Georgina and Violet had also participated in the designers' competition. "You mean Georgina and Violet? Who do you think is the culprit?"
"Either of them might be the culprit." Aidan paused for a moment, then continued, "However, there's a fashion company under the Kramer Group that works closely with the judges."
Hearing that, Leanna finally figured it out.
The culprit was Violet. Furthermore, it was more than just a bribery case. Since her fashion company worked closely with the judges, no one could find out any wrongdoings as there were formal contracts and transfers of money between both sides. That was the reason Lewis could not find any evidence.
Realizing the crux of the problem, Leanna tutted.
Aidan asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just think that you're too charming, President Pearson."
Aidan didn't understand what she meant, but since she was stuffed, she rose from the chair. "I'm full. See you."
Aidan licked his lips and followed her.
The moment Leanna opened the car door, Aidan slid into the passenger's seat.
His action confused her. "What are you doing, President Pearson?" she questioned.
An unfazed Aidan replied, "I'm here to keep you safe while you go home."
Yet Leanna ignored him. Just as she was ready to fasten the seat belt, she saw Aidan leaning closer to her. "W-What are you doing?" She subconsciously moved backward.
Aidan took her hand and plugged the latch plate into the buckle. Then, he said in a slightly raised voice, "I was helping you to fasten the seat belt. What else do you think I was doing?"
Leanna felt a heat flushing through her as she gazed at the face just inches away. She coughed and rolled down the window before pushing his chest. "Sit properly. You're blocking my sight."
As she spoke, she pretended to take a look at the side-view mirror. Then, she drove the car forward.
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