Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 82

Stephanie’s features were soft and clear, yet her words carried an undeniable weight. Serena had never seen this side of her and felt a flicker of fear.

“Besides, this is between me and Victoria. What does it have to do with you? You’re so eager to be her lapdog—did she throw you a bone?”

Serena’s face flushed. Being insulted in front of so many colleagues was humiliating. “How can you talk like that…” she retorted defensively.

Stephanie smiled. “This is how I talk.”

“You…”

Victoria pulled her back. “Serena, that’s enough. It’s all my fault. Please, stop. I don’t want you to get yelled at because of me.”

Serena immediately replied, “Victoria, don’t say that. You’re the innocent one here. I just couldn’t stand seeing her steal your boyfriend and then bully you. I was just standing up for what's right.”

Standing up for what's right? Stephanie found that amusing. Since when was Victoria on the side of justice?

Stephanie looked at her. “Victoria, do you need me to explain the situation with you and Quennel to everyone? Explain how you…”

“Stephanie!”

In a panic, Victoria cut her off.

She knew that if Stephanie exposed everything, her career at this company would be over.

Victoria asked, “Can we talk alone?”

Stephanie’s expression was icy. “I have nothing to talk to you about.”

Having known Stephanie for so long, Victoria understood her well. She knew that despite her tough exterior, Stephanie was soft-hearted and sentimental about their past.

The two of them entered a small meeting room. The moment they were inside, Victoria slapped herself twice across the face.

Stephanie froze. What was Victoria doing? A pity play?

Then again, playing the victim was her specialty.

“Stephanie, when I left my last company, I took their core technology with me. The executives were furious and have already filed a lawsuit against me, demanding a huge amount in damages.”

Stephanie wasn’t surprised. Non-compete agreements were standard in their industry, stipulating that upon resignation, one couldn’t work in the same field for several years to prevent trade secrets from being taken to a competitor.

Victoria’s act of bringing stolen technology directly to Sapphire Group was despised by all companies. The only reason Sapphire Group accepted her was because they were weak in that specific area and desperately needed someone to lead a breakthrough.

That’s why Sapphire Group had made an exception under immense pressure. But it also meant that if Victoria ever left Sapphire Group, she would have nowhere to go. No other company would dare hire a traitor.