Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 391

Felicia had just come out of the washroom when she heard the noise. At that, she asked with a frown, “Who are you guys?”

“I’m George Walden, the director of Savill Jewelry Atelier. We suspect your employee has stolen one of our designer’s work, and we have the right to pursue legal liability,” the guy said confidently as though it did happen, and it was even dire.

No doubt they were merely causing a ruckus since something like this was normal between rival companies. At that, Felicia sneered and asked, “Where’s your proof? Don’t slander our employees for no reason, or we’ll sue you for defamation.”

“We definitely have proof, or why do you think we’d dare come to you? You have a designer named Anastasia Tillman, working under your company, don’t you? She has submitted a sketch for next year’s spring jewelry show, hasn’t she? In reality, she stole my employee’s masterpiece and claimed it as her own. We have the right to pursue her legal liability, so if you’ll please have her come out.”

Felicia couldn’t help feeling shocked at that. Who knew that Anastasia would be caught up in a plagiarism scandal? How could this be, though?

“She’s on leave right now. I can deal with this.”

“Oh, we’re not just holding her accountable. We’re also suing Bourgeois for mismanagement,” George announced arrogantly.

Clearly, they weren’t going to quit until they heard the end of it.

“Alright, I’ll contact my designer and have her come forward to clarify the incident.” With that, Felicia went into her office and called Anastasia.

Anastasia happened to be at Tillman Constructions right then. The reports she was reading were giving her a headache, and she eased immediately upon hearing the ringtone. “Hey, Felicia.”

“A director of another jewelry atelier has come to us saying that you allegedly plagiarized their employee’s work, Anastasia. Are you free to come and deal with this?”

“What? Plagiarize? Me?” The news baffled Anastasia as there was no way she would ever do something like that!

“Yeah, they’re even claiming that the piece you stole is the one you submitted to the jewelry show.”

“Impossible! That’s my own design and my own inspiration.” Anastasia retorted.

“I believe you too. However, those guys won’t leave until you come and verify it yourself. Can you rush over?”

“Sure, I’ll be there in a second.”

With that, Anastasia dashed to Bourgeois.

Back at Bourgeois, gossipers began crowding together. Alice was among them as she listened to their whispers about the incident. More than that, it delighted her when most of them were evidently mocking Anastasia.

“Goodness! They’ve even paid to be on the trending page.”

At that, someone read out the headline, saying, “Designer of a famous jewelry atelier shamelessly steals other’s work after running out of ideas. Evidence to prove.”

“Designer, Anastasia Tillman, of Bourgeois by QR is guilty of plagiarizing.”

Alice smiled as she listened to all that. Looks like Savill really wants to make a big deal out of this! Will Anastasia still have the nerve to stay in this industry?

At this point, Felicia ushered the people from Savill to wait in the conference room. After coming out, she deliberated whether to call Elliot, but in the end, she decided to wait until Anastasia had arrived before doing so.

After all, it was an inglorious issue for Anastasia.

As she dashed toward the lobby, the receptionists all shot her nasty looks. Clearly, everyone at Bourgeois had heard about her incident.

When Anastasia showed up in the office, the gossip stopped immediately, leaving only a mocking gaze staring at her.

“Here, Anastasia,” Felicia called out to her.

At that, Anastasia went into Felicia’s office. As soon as the door closed, Felicia looked at her gravely. “Anastasia, they’re making a big deal out of this. They are clearly planning to ruin Bourgeois’ reputation.”

Of course, Anastasia could understand Felicia’s worries. At that, she raised her hand and swore, “I swear that I’ve never stolen anyone’s work.”

“Alright, I trust you. Also, I haven’t told President Presgrave about this yet. You decide whether to inform him.”

“I want to meet these guys first.” An exasperated Anastasia wanted to set the record straight. How dare they accuse her of plagiarizing for no apparent reason.

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“Take it easy. I have a feeling they’ve come prepared, so we’d better not fall into their trap.” Felicia patted Anastasia’s shoulder.

After entering the conference room, Anastasia looked toward the five people sitting there. There were two lawyers, two Savill staff, and the director.

“Are you Anastasia Tillman, the person who stole my designer’s work?” George sneered as soon as he saw Anastasia.

At that, Anastasia stared coldly at him. “On what basis do you say that?”

“We have proof, of course. In fact, you replicated nearly the whole of my designer’s piece and submitted it to the show.”

“I know well if I’ve done so.” Anastasia continued to stare coldly at George, not intimidated at all.

Just then, one of them took out an iPad and opened the sketch before handing it to Anastasia. “Miss Tillman, why don’t you take a look at these two pieces first? One of them is our designer’s drawing and the other one is yours. They’re practically identical.”

Anastasia took the iPad with a frown and couldn’t help being stupefied upon seeing the sketches. They were indeed identical with only differences in a few details.

“This is my work. You guys stole it!” Anastasia retorted as she put the iPad down.

“We get that you’re not talented enough, Miss Tillman, and that you want to establish your reputation as a designer by plagiarizing my designer’s work,” George said with utter sympathy.

At that, Felicia stood up for Anastasia. “That’s where you’re wrong. Miss Tillman is our most talented designer, and she will never steal somebody’s work.”

“Naturally, we would gather all the evidence before coming to look for you. Firstly, this piece is from our chief designer, Jacqueline Sherman. Secondly, she released it earlier than you did. What’s more, the finished product was placed in our company’s display case last month. However, Miss Tillman submitted her sketch on the twelfth of this month. According to the timeline, she could’ve plagiarized the piece.”

“Impossible!” Anastasia held her breath, shocked that Savill had moved so quickly.

Felicia’s face turned slightly grim as well. She remembered that Anastasia had keyed her piece into the company’s system on the second of this month and submitted the sketch to the show a week ago. Hence, the timing was very unfavorable for Anastasia.

Nonetheless, she still trusted that Anastasia wouldn’t do something like this.

“Miss Tillman, Savill will not tolerate such behavior. You have two options—take down your piece, apologize to Savill publicly on behalf of Bourgeois, and compensate for our loss. Otherwise, we will pursue your legal liability for plagiarizing our work and demand compensation. Of course, you’d still have to apologize to us.”

George pressed on, and he even concluded that Anastasia was the thief.

At that, Felicia said, “We need to dig into this before giving you an answer. Why don’t you guys head back first?”

“Alright, seeing that we’re fellow traders, I’ll give you until 3.00PM tomorrow.” George added disdainfully, “How unfortunate for something like this to happen within the jewelry design industry.”

Anastasia was still baffled when the door closed behind her. How did Savill manage to display her work in advance?!

She was certain that was her design, for she had sketched it out with her own hands. In fact, that piece came to her when she sat alone until late at night under the starry sky.

How did she become the plagiarist?!

The true thief was Jacqueline!

Anastasia heard people gossiping about her the entire way back to her office. Some who long had a problem with her couldn’t care less about offending her anymore.

“I thought she really was capable, but it turns out she got to her position by stealing other people’s work.”

“Well, isn’t that the truth? Thanks to her, our company’s reputation will be ruined.”

“I swear, one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel.”

Meanwhile, Alice entered Anastasia’s office with a cup of coffee, gloating. “I thought you were something! Who knew that you only rose to fame with such shortcuts?!”

Chapter 393

Anastasia remained silent in her seat.

“I think it’s best if you don’t ask President Presgrave to save you, for it’ll only make things worse. You’d better quickly apologize and compensate Savill to save our company from further losses,” Alice reminded her.

Of course, she didn’t want Elliot to be involved in this. Though she was confident that they wouldn’t have anything on her, she didn’t want to be panicky either.

“Why should I apologize when I never plagiarized in the first place? The one who should be apologizing is Savill.” Anastasia looked up and stared coldly at Alice.

Alice hit the roof at that. “Are you going to keep acting stubborn, Anastasia? You’ve already become a joke in the jewelry design industry. Are you only going to apologize after you’ve ruined all of Bourgeois’ reputation? I will not let you destroy the company’s future!”

Anastasia’s only option was to apologize.

Anastasia stood up in response and said firmly, “I will not apologize before I get to the bottom of this.”

Alice couldn’t help choking and snapped, “Just because President Presgrave likes you doesn’t mean you can act lawlessly, you know. It’s already embarrassing that you’ve plagiarized. Are you going to make a bigger deal out of this?!”

“I didn’t plagiarize, so I won’t apologize.” One could tell from Anastasia’s beautiful face that she wasn’t about to compromise.

Alice was taken aback, for she had never seen someone as stubborn as Anastasia.

At that, she glared at Anastasia and uttered, “Well, I can’t wait to see what your fate will be!”

Meanwhile, Felicia pondered over something as she stood in her office. Savill was coming at Anastasia with full force, putting her at a disadvantage. With that, she decided to give Elliot a call.

“Hello?” Elliot’s voice came from the other end of the line.

“President, there’s something you need to know.”

After hearing the whole story from Felicia, he asked concerningly, “What did she say?”

“Anastasia is sure that she didn’t plagiarize.”

“Alright, I’ll come over now.” With that, Elliot ended the call.

Bourgeois was still in the process of moving; since Elliot was at the Presgrave Group, he needed some time to get there.

Meanwhile, Grace brought a cup of tea for Anastasia while she sat in her office. “Anastasia, I believe you didn’t plagiarize. No matter what everyone else says, I believe you,” said Grace as she comforted her, feeling bad for the woman.

“Thanks, Grace.” Anastasia was grateful to have an assistant like Grace.

After Grace left, Anastasia propped her forehead, trying to figure out how the whole thing came to be.

She had finished her first draft on the tenth of last month, and Savill had already put the piece on their display by the end of last month. In other words, they had about twenty days in between amending and coming up with the finished product. If their workshop worked overtime on this piece of jewelry, it was indeed possible for them to launch it in about a fortnight at best.

However, the sketch had always been with her, so who could’ve handed it to Savill?

already happened when

A designer would no longer have a place in the industry if they were branded for plagiarizing. After all, it was just as bad

someone had stolen her sketch between the tenth

several people had come in and out of her office, and she needed more time to find out exactly who did

next day. They clearly didn’t want to give her

were also being ruthless, dragging Bourgeois’ reputation

also garnered a high approval

she heard someone pushing the door open. At that, she looked up

Elliot had come!

his hand on the desk and asked when he saw

Chapter 394

Anastasia finally found her first draft, she put it on her desk and said, “This is my first draft,

were based on when the piece was keyed into the system. Clearly, Savill

looked at her with absolute

and she smiled wryly. “Do you really have that much faith

I don’t even believe in my woman?” Elliot’s gaze was filled with

she evaded his gaze. Nonetheless, his words had

to the bottom of this and see who leaked my

it as their own and even slandered her

them a lesson for you.” Elliot’s face turned grim. That person probably had a death wish since

as Anastasia looked up, he continued, “Also, Savill will have to

was rendered at a loss for

Savill would be facing

investigate first!” Anastasia decided to check the office’s surveillance footage before they did

footage of said time to her laptop. With that, Elliot and Felicia kept her company as they looked through it

panic in her office. She hadn’t expected Elliot to actually step

all-powerful, and he had very strong influences. What was more, he had a bunch of formidable lawyers. Even if Anastasia was

Anastasia definitely wouldn’t put up with it. Right then, she sat in front of her laptop while she looked

heart ached as he sat next to her, watching her stare into the screen with her brows locked into a deep furrow, non-blinking. “Do you have any enemies in the office? Alternatively, is there anyone

people immediately came to her mind—Alice and Aliona. These two were openly hostile toward her. However, she couldn’t rule out the possibility of someone using her sketch

the surveillance footage frame by frame,

you get back to work, Director Evans? I’ll keep her company.” Elliot pulled a chair over and sat next to Anastasia. He decidedly ignored the important work in Presgrave Group, choosing to solve the incident with

handle this myself.” Anastasia didn’t want

you.” Elliot wasn’t going anywhere. After all, nothing was more important than clearing

Jared up, she turned to Elliot. “I might have to stay and watch the footage tonight. Can you

I’ll call him.” With

than that, he was among the

watching the surveillance footage with her.

didn’t relax for a moment since she didn’t want to falsely accuse the innocent, nor would

by the following afternoon, she had to look through all

focus on work. Sometime later, Grace brought her a little pick-me-up. After taking a few

Chapter 395

help you out?” Elliot wanted to

thanks.” She had to inspect

should

but she

heart broke as he watched from

and take a break. While she rubbed her temples, she suddenly felt a big, warm palm massaging her neck lightly.

massaging Anastasia’s neck, causing her to feel

Anastasia and Elliot’s relationship. More

returning to her office, she unlocked her phone and grew nervous upon seeing the five hundred thousand transferred into her account earlier that

work after taking a short break. Meanwhile, Elliot took a sip from her coffee and suddenly thought of something. With that, he took his phone and

affect her progress, but it didn’t mean he didn’t have other ways

the laptop screen. However, her brows suddenly locked into a

her office for less than two minutes before coming out. However, when she

Then, she saved

Elliot never looked away from her this whole time either. He finally grabbed her hand when he saw that her

can continue your search

to eat.” She was stressed out

traveled to her ears. “You have to even if you don’t want to. If you’re worried that Savill won’t let you off the hook, then

eat at the restaurant across here,” Anastasia said, brushing her hair to

Elliot had his bodyguards come up

investigate, she stayed as well. Right then, she was texting Jacqueline and telling

sure you’ll win the lawsuit, right? You can’t drag

is

didn’t mention one important fact to Jacqueline—Anastasia’s relationship with Elliot. Savill only knew that Anastasia was one of

of panic that Savill would

country. When she came out, she snuck a peek at the

restaurant, Anastasia didn’t have much appetite despite the table of

put some food on her plate, which she ate before saying with integrity, “I

were the

pushed a bowl of bird’s

feeling she was being force-fed by this man. However, she still

I discovered that half

that, he replied, ‘Keep an eye on

Chapter 396

soup, Anastasia grabbed her bag

anyway. With that, they paid the bill and headed back to Bourgeois. When they arrived back in the office, those who were working overtime

jacket, finding it a bother. The khaki-colored bodycon dress beneath it made her curves

he sat across from her and

made the pair of eyes underneath her thick, long lashes as clear as crystals, and her delicate facial features

with her the more

a woman who matches my aesthetics so

his preferences,

away from her laptop only to

like vortexes that sucked her in, and his pursed lips were laced with temptation beneath his tall

curled his lips and smiled.

really.” Anastasia leaned back and raised her head

you find the culprit?” He asked

had never planned on relying on him. However, since he had suggested it, she agreed jokingly

“That’s a yes?”

footage for hours, and I still haven’t gotten anything. As if you’d be

smiled confidently and said, “Alright. It’s a deal.” With that, he closed her laptop. “Don’t look

Anastasia stumped. “Who

home!”

Anastasia

he explained, “I’ve asked Rey to retrieve all of Bourgeois’

She thought Alice

I figured it was her.” Anastasia slapped

home now and deal with this tomorrow.” Malice shot from Elliot’s cold gaze as he swore, “I’ll make them pay for what they did to you.” These guys really

checking the rest of the surveillance footage at this point, certain that the clip she saved could prove

was already 8.30PM when they came out of Bourgeois. Just then, a gust of cold wind blew past,

into his arms and wrapped her up in his

his pleasant scent

at her home to find it was already 9.30PM, so she gave up on picking up Jared. However, someone began devising his schemes when she was about to get out of the

tea?” Elliot’s true intentions were evident in his

as she looked

tea. I won’t do

do you not realize you have lost all credibility with

he looked somewhat defeatedly at her. “You heartless

Just then, what

Meanwhile, one of Elliot’s bodyguards received a call as he sat inside a black

Chapter 397

She won’t be able to leave the country anyway.” Rey’s voice came from the other end of the

now become a wanted fugitive, so there was no way would she be able to get through

line. She had prepared to hide abroad with the five hundred

feeling the whole of Savill would give her trouble, for she had brought them devastating disaster by pissing

the customs officer her documents, only to find them glancing at her. With that, she asked

miss,

upon hearing their words. “What?! How? What for? Why am I

As for the reason, I’m pretty sure you know it well!” The customs officer glanced

leave the airport with her luggage. Am

security through her friends and asked if she had

like the day before, her colleagues looked at

find anything?”

transferred half a million into her bank account. I also have

sighed in response. “She’s the mole? How

Alice didn’t show up for work. Anastasia had been waiting for the people from Savill to show up at 3.00PM, but what came was even bigger news. Savill had been sued for bribing a Bourgeois employee, stealing a design sketch, being involved

all about Savill prosecuting

was commercial

it. Then, she looked toward Anastasia. “Alice has been arrested, and Savill’s CEO will make an

was surprised at how Elliot moved so quickly, for he had turned the

stay up all night to deal with

came. Savill’s stock market crashed and even hit the limit at one point, causing it to be on the verge of bankruptcy. In other words,

them everything after taking legal action against a designer, and for that, they pissed off the mystery business magnate

industry, and their CEO even held a press conference himself to apologize to Anastasia, admitting they had stolen her sketch

they heard the compensation amount, they all turned into green-eyed monsters. Not only had Anastasia recovered her reputation,

sure was different having Elliot’s

happy to get a whopping amount for nothing, but she also wished

it seriously polluted

pantry later on,

all know you

would Anastasia need to steal their work when she’s

Chapter 398

just jealous

laughed it off. Alice had it coming, and Savill brought their ending upon themselves. Though Elliot’s

returned to her

Elliot’s voice came from the other

treat.” Anastasia had to

retained

said that he’d babysit Jared. I’ll be just us tonight,”

I’ll make the reservation.” She didn’t have a problem with

special thanks