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?!”

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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?

had already happened when she came

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

determined that someone had stolen her

had come in and out of her office, and she needed more time to find

her to answer by 3.00PM the next day. They clearly didn’t want to give her

ruthless, dragging Bourgeois’ reputation down while

the market and also garnered a high approval

her first draft when she heard someone pushing the door

Elliot had come!

your situation.” Elliot propped his hand on the desk and asked when he saw her searching for something, “What

Chapter 394

found her first draft, she put it on her desk and said, “This is my first draft, but it can’t be used as evidence to prove I didn’t

based on when the piece was

Elliot looked

smiled wryly. “Do you really have that much faith

suppose to believe when I don’t even believe in

stump, and she evaded his gaze. Nonetheless,

of this and see who leaked my sketch to Savill.” With that,

one of her favorite sketches, but now, Savill claimed it as their own and

lesson for you.” Elliot’s face turned grim. That person probably

up, he continued, “Also, Savill will have to pay

rendered at a loss for

had a feeling Savill

check the office’s surveillance footage before they did

dare snub Anastasia’s request, sending the footage of said time to her laptop. With that, Elliot and Felicia kept her company as they looked through it

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

had a bunch of formidable lawyers. Even if Anastasia was sued, his lawyers would

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

locked into a deep furrow, non-blinking. “Do you have any enemies in the office? Alternatively, is there anyone who wants

were openly hostile toward her. However, she couldn’t rule out the possibility of someone using her sketch to

on. We’ll talk after I’m done watching the footage.” Anastasia watched the surveillance footage frame by frame, fast-forwarding and rewinding from time

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

to work too! I can handle this myself.” Anastasia didn’t want

going anywhere. After all, nothing was more important than clearing her name

spun from watching an hour of footage. Seeing that it was about time to pick Jared up, she turned to Elliot. “I might have to stay and watch the footage tonight. Can you please ask Nigel to

him.” With

one nanny, and more than that, he was among the

footage with her. Meanwhile, Anastasia

she didn’t want to

following afternoon, she had to look through all the

that Nigel was babysitting Jared, she could focus on work. Sometime later, Grace brought her a little pick-me-up. After taking

Chapter 395

want me to help you out?” Elliot wanted to take over

She had to inspect

case, you should take a

were a little bloodshot, but she wasn’t in the mood to take

heart broke as he watched from

herself to close her eyes and take a break. While she rubbed her temples, she suddenly felt a big, warm

outside to find Elliot massaging Anastasia’s neck, causing

Anastasia and Elliot’s relationship. More than that, she

phone and grew nervous upon seeing the five hundred thousand

Meanwhile, Elliot took a sip from her coffee and suddenly thought of something. With

her progress, but it didn’t mean

on the laptop screen. However, her brows suddenly locked into a deep furrow upon seeing someone coming out of her

less than two minutes before coming out. However, when she left,

rewound and scrutinized Alice’s expression. Then, she saved this portion of

at this point. Meanwhile, Elliot never looked away from her this whole time

you can

don’t want to eat.” She was stressed out since she was being accused

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 there’s no reason for you to fear at

at the restaurant across here,” Anastasia

Elliot had his bodyguards come up and guard the space, forbidding anyone from

Anastasia was staying back to investigate, she stayed as well. Right

guys are sure you’ll win the lawsuit, right? You

boss is confident.

important fact to Jacqueline—Anastasia’s relationship with Elliot. Savill only knew that

Alice had a creeping sense of panic that Savill would

thought she should pack up and leave the country. When she came out, she snuck a peek at the two bodyguards stationed

Anastasia didn’t have much appetite despite the table of good

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

independent women were the

a bowl of

by this man. However, she still did as she was

discovered that half a million was transferred to Alice Thompson’s account at 2.00PM today. It was transferred from

to that, he replied, ‘Keep an eye on

Chapter 396

her bag and said to Elliot, “I’ll head back to

and headed back to Bourgeois. When they arrived back in the office, those who were working overtime had all gone home by

into her office lazily. Meanwhile, she removed her jacket, finding it a

sat across from her

thick, long lashes as clear as crystals, and her delicate facial features made her palm-sized face exceptionally

with her the more

who matches

preferences, and she was a

only to find a certain

long he had been watching her like that. Underneath the lights, his eyes were like vortexes that sucked her in, and his pursed lips were laced

then, Elliot curled his

back and raised her

you find the culprit?” He asked out

relying on him. However, since he had suggested it, she agreed jokingly and

“That’s a yes?”

can find this culprit.” I’ve watched the surveillance footage for hours, and I

It’s a deal.” With that, he closed her laptop. “Don’t look anymore. I’ve

news got Anastasia stumped. “Who is

tomorrow. Now, let’s go home!” It pained Elliot to see

who it is!” Anastasia shot up from

her anyway. With that, he explained, “I’ve asked Rey to retrieve all of Bourgeois’ employees’ recent bank transactions

suspected! She thought Alice

I figured it was her.” Anastasia

shot from Elliot’s cold gaze as he swore, “I’ll make them pay for what they did to you.” These guys really had a death wish

of the surveillance footage at this point, certain that the

of cold wind blew

arms and wrapped her up in his

enveloped in his pleasant scent which invaded

already 9.30PM, so she gave up on picking up Jared. However,

Elliot’s true intentions were evident in

rejected as she

going to drink some tea. I

“President Presgrave, do you not

looked somewhat defeatedly at her. “You heartless

heading up to her apartment. Just then, what Alice had

Meanwhile, one

Chapter 397

stop her. She won’t be able to leave the country anyway.” Rey’s voice

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

in line. She had prepared to hide abroad

whole of Savill would give her trouble,

was Alice’s turn. She handed the customs officer her documents, only to find them glancing at her. With that, she

customs officer returned her documents and announced, “I’m sorry, miss, but you’ve been banned from leaving the country. Please go

upon hearing their words. “What?! How? What for?

reason, I’m pretty sure

could do was leave the airport with her

her friends and asked if she

her colleagues looked at her with mocking gazes as she entered Felicia’s

you find anything?” Felicia

also have a

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 in violating Bourgeois’ trade

the day before were all about Savill prosecuting

was

got a call just then, and she fell silent for a few seconds after answering it. Then, she looked toward Anastasia. “Alice has been arrested, and Savill’s CEO

this.” Anastasia was surprised at how Elliot moved so

night

shocking piece of news 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, its several-billion worth of assets were turning

expected their one mistake to cost them everything after taking legal action against a designer, and for that, they pissed off the mystery business magnate

the jewelry-making industry, and their CEO even held a press conference himself to apologize to Anastasia, admitting they had

amount, they all turned into green-eyed monsters. Not only had Anastasia

was different having

course, she was happy to get a whopping amount

seriously polluted the industry’s

later on, everyone fawned on her wherever

Anasatasia! We all know you

need to steal their

Chapter 398

just

brought their ending upon themselves. Though Elliot’s move

her

celebrate tonight.” Elliot’s voice came from the

Anastasia had to

to help her father’s business, he had retained her reputation for her. This would

babysit Jared. I’ll be

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

like a special thanks