The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 352

Hearing Brianna’s defiance, Ramona didn’t hesitate. Yancey turned his laptop and connected it to the large screen at the front of the room.

On the screen, Ramona’s research data and the Gallop Inc. project data were displayed side-by-side. They were identical. And the last modification date on Ramona’s file was two years ago.

“No… impossible…” Brianna whispered, her brow furrowed as she stared at the USB drive in Ramona’s hand. How? When did Jotham give it back to her?

“This should be enough to prove you plagiarized my work,” Ramona said coolly. “If you need more proof, we can ask the police to investigate at our university. The professor who advised me should have a copy on file, as he helped me adjust some of the data.”

Brianna stared at the screen, speechless. A wave of terror washed over her.

Holden stood up abruptly. He had anticipated many things, but not that Brianna would be this foolish. Sometimes, the enemy isn’t strong; the ally is just useless. “Ms. Prescott, what is this?” he demanded.

Brianna couldn’t answer. She looked around at the faces staring at her, each gaze feeling like a knife. Seeing she had nothing left to say, Yancey spoke in a low voice.

“We’ve already sent this evidence to Gallop Inc. Ms. Prescott, your actions constitute fraud. It seems you’ll have to extend your stay in Havencrest City until they arrive.”

*Gallop Inc.… they already know?* Brianna thought of Brantley, and her heart went cold.

Yancey exchanged a look with Ramona. His task was complete. He had other matters to attend to, so his assistant began packing up his things. Ramona thanked him quietly. With Fenton out of the country, she couldn’t have handled Holden without Yancey’s help.

As Yancey prepared to leave, Wisteria watched him with a reluctant expression. He noticed and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Walk me out.”

An hour later, Ramona finished her statement at the police station. The police informed her that someone from Gallop Inc. would be coming as well. Brianna’s case was serious, involving fraud, and the process would be slow. Ramona wasn't interested in kicking someone while they were down and simply told the police to follow standard procedures.

But as she was leaving the station, she ran into a familiar face. Jotham was waiting for her outside. She recognized his silhouette instantly, even though he was now disheveled and his posture was no longer the proud, confident stance she remembered.

Jotham had been waiting in the Covington Group lobby for a long time. When he saw the police enter, he knew Brianna was in trouble. He followed the crowd and learned that Ramona had returned. It was all within his expectations. Brianna had tried to use Ramona’s work to get ahead, and she had flaunted it right in front of the original creator. Of course Ramona would show up.

Jotham had returned Ramona’s USB drive shortly after Liliane passed away. Eulalia Holt had relayed a message that Ramona wanted her things back, and he knew what she meant. Ramona hated the Holt family; she had been responsible for his grandmother’s death. They were powerless now. Whether he returned the drive or not was no longer his decision.

But he hadn’t expected Brianna to be so foolish. The moment she appeared as the head of Gallop Inc.’s Havencrest City division, Jotham knew. She had been secretly borrowing the drive and then suddenly landed the Gallop Inc. deal. She didn't have that kind of ability.