John’s face went ashen. He shot me a furious
look, as if blaming me for not covering for him,
for daring to contradict him in public. I just
smiled coldly.
“Since we have the police here, let me be clear.
I was the lead designer on the project. But the
research hadn’t officially begun. No final design
was submitted. I retain full rights to my
blueprints. If you claim that the plagiarized
design is mine, I’ll sue you for defamation.”
Perhaps my serious tone finally got through to
her. Sarah pressed her lips together and stayed
silent. I had nothing to hide.
“Enough!” a police officer barked. “Everyone
involved will come down to the station for
questioning. We’ll determine who’s responsible
for the plagiarism and fraud.”
We all piled into the police van. I closed my
eyes, leaning back against the seat. I could hear
John’s voice from the back, murmuring
reassurances to Sarah. “Don’t worry. I’ll take
care of everything.”
Then his phone rang. The jarring rock music
seemed to echo the unease in my stomach.
Something big was about to happen. He
answered. The investor’s voice boomed from
the phone. “John, with this mess, you can’t
even hold onto your lead designer. I’m pulling
out.” John tried to explain, but the line went
dead. More calls followed, each one an investor
demanding their money back, canceling their
contracts. It became clear that they’d invested
because of me. With me gone, there was no
reason for them to stay.
John stared at me in the rearview mirror,
stunned. He hadn’t realized how much influence
I had.
At the station, my lawyer, who I’d contacted
earlier, was waiting. I handed John the divorce
papers again. “If you still refuse to sign, I’ll file
suit. But understand, the bigger this gets, the
worse it will be for you.”
Our colleagues, who’d also been brought in,
were buzzing. “Did I hear that right? Amelia’s
divorcing John? So they were the ones who
were married! Who is Sarah then?” “I saw John
and Sarah at the love motel! That bitch!
Stealing Amelia’s job and her husband!
Amelia’s way too calm. I’d have gone ballistic!” “Anyone else wondering how they’re splitting the assets?”
I ignored the gossip, my eyes fixed on John. He was frowning, as if struggling to say something. Then Sarah spoke up, pointing at John.
“Officer, he did this to me! He’s the one who promoted me! He said the funding was secured, that I should just slap together some designs,
that if the project failed, he’d cover it up! He
tricked me! I just wanted to boost my resume! I
never would have agreed to this if I’d known!”
John’s jaw dropped. “What are you talking
about? Don’t lie to the police!”
