His Last Command Came Back to Kill Him novel Chapter 84

She projected the files onto the large screen, her fingers flying across the keyboard with practiced ease.

"First of all, the core argument the public is using to accuse us of plagiarism is fundamentally flawed at the baseline logic level."

Whitley's voice was clear and exceptionally calm. "The entire design framework, the critical nodes, the algorithmic logic—it's all completely different from what the opposing side claims is 'original'. It only looks superficially similar. The public narrative has been deliberately manipulated."

Zelda immediately fired back, "You're just making excuses! You can't prove your innocence, so you're blaming a logic error?"

Since Chisholm oversaw the macro direction of the project, Zelda simply didn't believe Whitley possessed the capability to tear down and rebuild the entire architecture.

Ignoring the interruption, Whitley methodically continued her presentation.

Not only did she pinpoint the exact loopholes in the external accusations, systematically dismantling them point by point, but she also provided an airtight timeline and original drafting logs to verify their authenticity. She effortlessly untangled the chaotic segments of the project that had been derailed by the media storm, and then went a step further—proposing an entirely new, highly optimized direction that no one in the room had even considered.

Around the conference table, the expressions shifted dramatically. The initial contempt and skepticism slowly morphed into sheer bewilderment, and finally, absolute awe.

Zelda was reeling.

The analytical prowess, the structural mastery, and the overarching command Whitley demonstrated over the project were lightyears beyond what Zelda had anticipated.

In that moment, she was forced to admit that Whitley was far more than a pretty face with connections. The plagiarism scandal was clearly a targeted smear campaign.

"Are you... really just from a standard academic background?" Zelda frowned, still struggling to process it. "Are you sure your resume isn't faked?"

Whitley let go of the mouse, standing tall, her tone perfectly even. "My educational background is a matter of public record. It's completely authentic."

A heavy silence fell over the room as the team exchanged stunned glances.

Someone who had been trashed online as a talentless thief had just single-handedly untangled a crisis that had paralyzed their entire department, effectively bringing the dead project back to life.

"Talk about a dark horse," someone muttered in awe.

After all, Yelena was her sister. Yelena was incredibly accomplished, and they had lived under the same roof for years. Who knew exactly how much Whitley might have stolen from her over the years?

She then turned to Chisholm, her expression earnest. "Mr. Vance, I apologize. I shouldn't have questioned your judgment."

Chisholm, fully aware of her temperament, gave a faint, satisfied smirk. "As long as we're on the same page. Let's get back to work."

***

After the meeting adjourned, Chisholm and Whitley walked out of the conference room side by side.

"Well, nobody on the team will dare look down on you now."

Whitley let out a soft laugh, her eyes sharp. "You did that on purpose. Thank you."

Chisholm raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You caught on?"