After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 347

“Shirley, is it that you can’t show your original code and diagrams, or is it that you don’t dare?” Catherine asked, her voice cool and taunting.

Shirley’s face went pale, then flushed, but she didn’t say a word.

There was no way she could show them. She didn’t have an independent version, not really. All her later work with the team had been built directly on Catherine’s foundation, and she hadn’t even bothered to change the core comments in the code. If the court compared them side by side, it would be obvious to everyone.

“I’m sorry, but this is a company trade secret. We’re under no obligation to make it public,” Ted shot back, his tone sharp.

“Ted, don’t forget what this lawsuit is about. We’re accusing your side of stealing Catherine’s work. We have every right to ask for the original core code,” Terrance replied, standing up and meeting Ted’s glare.

Catherine turned to the judge. “Your Honor, we request that the court, in accordance with the relevant statutes, order the defendant to submit all evidence and timelines related to Resonance AI. We’re asking for the earliest development documents, design blueprints, and code versions, to allow a technical comparison and establish the facts.”

Her voice was clear and cutting, and she carried herself with a quiet confidence that felt almost magnetic.

Waldo couldn’t help but stare at her. He felt frozen in his seat, hands clenching and unclenching. How had he let someone like Catherine slip away? If only…

If only he’d chosen to save her from the ocean that day instead of Shirley, then maybe…

Maybe both Catherine and Resonance AI would have been his.

A wave of regret crashed over him. Why had fate played such a cruel trick? Why hadn’t he seen Catherine’s talent sooner? Why did Lawrence get to be the lucky one?

Now, every little shift in Catherine’s expression pulled him in deeper. Even her faint, cold smile was impossibly attractive, making his heart pound in his chest.

He couldn’t help it. He was eaten up by regret.

Sure enough, the judge spoke. “We accept the plaintiff’s proposal. The specifics of the submission and comparison process will be worked out by both parties’ lawyers and submitted to this court for approval. Anyone who refuses to submit or provides false material will bear all the consequences.”

The sound of the gavel echoed through the room.

Shirley forced herself to stay calm, staring at Catherine’s confident face across the courtroom. She took a deep breath.

Submit the original version? She’d just have to turn in one of the later, modified versions. There was nothing else she could do. She’d have to tough it out.

At this point, she didn’t even hope to win. She just wanted to drag out the case for as long as she could.

Waldo’s face was dark with frustration. He looked at Shirley, disappointment and anger simmering in his eyes. What made it even worse was that this woman was now his wife.