Free Web NovelChapter 42: Chapter 42: I’ll Go Be a Spy
Felix Preston’s expression immediately turned serious. "What clue?"
Sonia Quincy gathered her thoughts and explained in detail the relationship between Apex Design and Azure Studio, as well as the dealings between Liam Joyce and Ethan Lockwood.
After listening, Felix Preston immediately grasped the key point. "So, Ethan Lockwood deliberately orchestrated the plagiarism incident back then to create a diversion?"
Sonia Quincy nodded. "That’s right."
Evan Yates said, "But the plagiarism itself was real. I carefully reviewed the design inspiration and R&D process for that product and found a high degree of overlap with Azure Studio. But every step of Azure Studio’s development was ahead of the Preston Group. As much as I hate to admit it, I have to say it really was plagiarism."
Sonia Quincy replied, "The plagiarism was indeed real, and Azure Studio’s video exposing it wasn’t faked. But have you ever considered that the person who created the plagiarized product might not have been a Preston Group employee?"
"..." Evan Yates was floored. He stared blankly at Felix Preston for a moment, then his face turned deathly pale. "Are you saying someone infiltrated the Preston Group and intentionally created a plagiarized product?"
Although he phrased it as a question, Evan Yates already believed it to be the truth.
The plagiarism scandal had erupted suddenly, and the Preston Group, already in internal disarray, was completely unprepared. Evan Yates was swamped at the time and had barely managed to squeeze out some time to handle it. But before he could launch a thorough investigation, the Preston Group had gone bankrupt in disgrace. The matter was simply dropped after that.
If Sonia Quincy hadn’t suddenly brought it up, he likely wouldn’t have thought about the incident again for a long time.
"It’s the only possibility," Felix Preston said, his face grim and his voice cold.
Evan Yates recovered quickly. After collecting his thoughts, he immediately said, "I still have the Preston Group’s employee list on my computer. Give me some time, and I’ll definitely find that person."
A faint smile touched Felix Preston’s lips. "I’ll be counting on you, then."
"The general manager of Apex Design is the owner of Azure Studio, and Liam Joyce has close ties to Ethan Lockwood. If I can successfully get a job at Apex Design, I’ll have a great chance to get close to Liam Joyce!"
Lynn Preston had finally put the pieces together.
Sonia Quincy looked at her with satisfaction. "Every action leaves a trace. Everything that happens in this world is bound to leave a mark. It’s only been two months since the Preston Group went bankrupt. There must still be plenty of clues we can find on Liam Joyce."
"I’ll do it!" Lynn Preston volunteered without a moment’s hesitation, shouldering the task. "I’m basically an employee at Apex Design now. No one is in a better position to get close to Liam Joyce than I am."
But Evan Yates disagreed. "You’re Preston’s sister. Liam Joyce definitely knows who you are. If he finds you at Apex Design, there’s an eighty percent chance he’ll find a reason to kick you out."
Lynn Preston was not convinced. "An eighty percent chance of being kicked out still leaves a twenty percent chance of being allowed to stay."
Evan Yates countered, "Even if you manage to stay, you won’t be able to get close to him. He’s just a dog on Ethan Lockwood’s leash. The moment you show up at his company, he’ll report it to Ethan Lockwood. Ethan Lockwood is extremely cautious; he would never allow Liam Joyce to keep a liability like you around."
"...Don’t be so absolute," Sonia Quincy said, pulling her hand back and subconsciously pinching her lip. "Ethan Lockwood was very careful about this. He’s under the impression we couldn’t possibly find out."
"In the past, Lynn was the pampered, high-and-mighty young lady of the Preston Family. Now, she’s just a lowly finance assistant at Liam Joyce’s company. That kind of extreme contrast will satisfy their twisted minds, just like with Jack Sullivan."
"That’s why I think there’s a fifty percent chance Liam Joyce will let Lynn stay. However, her life at the company probably won’t be easy."
"That’s fine," Lynn Preston said with a nonchalant smile. "It’ll just be working overtime every day and dealing with a nasty boss. As long as I can find evidence of their scheme against my brother, I’ll endure any hardship."
"Have you thought this through?" Felix Preston asked seriously.
"I have," Lynn Preston replied, her gaze firm and fearless. "This is a rare opportunity. No matter what, I have to stay at Apex Design. Those people brought such ruin to our Preston Family. I will never let them get away with it."
Felix Preston let out a slow breath. After a few seconds of hesitation, he nodded. "Alright. But don’t tell Mom about this for now. She’s been through enough. I don’t want her to be constantly on edge worrying about us."
Lynn Preston said, "Don’t worry, brother. I know what I’m doing."
"Um, Sonia, I have a question for you, though I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to ask." Evan Yates hesitated for a long time before he finally broke the silence.
Sonia Quincy smiled at him. "What is it?"
"Ahem..." Evan Yates cleared his throat, a bit embarrassed. "It’s just... you were pretty close to Ethan Lockwood before, weren’t you? Since he was willing to tell you all this, could you try to think a little harder and see if you can remember any other clues?"
"For now, this is all I can remember," Sonia Quincy said with a helpless sigh. "Ethan Lockwood is incredibly shrewd; there’s no way he would have let me find out more. I wasn’t with him for very long. I really don’t know anything else."
"...Alright." Evan Yates had expected as much, but he had to ask, just in case.
"Felix? Are you done with your private business? The police have found something."
Just as they settled on a plan, Renee Sinclair’s voice rang out from the doorway.
Felix Preston didn’t answer right away, instead turning instinctively to look at Sonia Quincy. She blinked in assent, and only then did he reply, "Okay, I’m coming out now."
"Great! I’ll wait for you." There was an audible smile in Renee Sinclair’s voice.
"Let’s go." Sonia Quincy was the first to rise from her chair, and she opened the door and walked out.
"Felix!"
Renee Sinclair cheerfully rushed to the door to greet Felix Preston, only for the door to open and reveal Sonia Quincy walking out first.
"..."
The smile vanished from Renee Sinclair’s face the moment she saw Sonia Quincy’s.
"What a jinx..." she muttered, rolling her eyes at Sonia Quincy before taking a few steps back, creating distance with a look of utter disgust.
Sonia Quincy didn’t seem to mind; in fact, her smile only widened.
"Felix," she called out in a syrupy-sweet voice, extending her right hand behind her.
"Coming," Felix Preston replied, dutifully taking her hand and walking with her right past Renee Sinclair.
"..."
Renee Sinclair was so furious her face turned pale with rage.
"Ahem, ahem..." Lynn Preston emerged from the room, trying to suppress a laugh and putting on an "I didn’t see a thing" expression. "Renee, didn’t you say the police found something? We should go take a look."
