Chapter 164
Could it be…
Sebastian paused for a moment, and his own thoughts struck him like a bolt of lightning..
Could Kayla be Caitlin?
Danca Estate was under her name, and this could explain everything!
So, she had such an incredible identity? No wonder she looked down on the divorce settlement he gave her!
Once Sebastian confirmed in his mind that Kayla was indeed Caitlin, a surge of excitement flooded his chest. What other secrets was that woman hiding from him? She was so mysterious! He was determined to unravel everything slowly.
As for the plagiarism scandal surrounding LIG, Sebastian felt LIG had gone too far–especially Jasmine. She was clearly just a decorative figure, talentless, and now she was trying to steal Caitlin’s designs. Shameless!
While speculations were swirling online due to the scandal, LIG made a move.
Jonathan had already used his connections to get the news about the plagiarism taken down from the trending list and to delete all the posts that were damaging to LIG.
One moment, the soft news article was at the top of the trending list, and the next moment, it disappeared entirely.
Sebastian, who was well–versed in behind–the–scenes manipulation, stroked his chin, his cold eyes gleaming with sharpness. It was clear that someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.
Since LIG had started playing dirty, he couldn’t just sit by and let them get away with it!
Sebastian picked up his phone and dialed.
“Spare no expense. I want this plagiarism scandal to get back to the top of the trending list. Do not allow anyone to remove it!” he commanded.
After hanging up, Sebastian contacted Professor Walker from New York University. Walker had been Caitlin and Jasmine’s mentor, so if he spoke up, it would be the most convincing.
At LIG.
Jonathan stared at his screen in disbelief. The news that had been suppressed was now back at the top of the trending list.
“What’s going on? Didn’t I already make the call to get it taken down? How is it back?”
Scott, just as frustrated, responded, “Yes, it was taken down, but now it’s back up again! I suspect Caitlin is behind all of this!”
Jonathan gritted his teeth in anger. “I don’t believe this girl can pull this off alone! Get in touch again! It has to be taken down!”
Scott hurried to handle it, but not long later, he returned with bad news.
“We seem to be in trouble. We can’t get it taken down! The media won’t help us!”
Hearing this, Jonathan furiously threw his water cup across the room.
“What’s going on?”
“I think Caitlin must have found a backer!” Scott explained.
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“A backer?” Jonathan looked skeptical. “Who could she have found?”
Scott narrowed his eyes. “I think she’s definitely got Sebastian on her side. I saw them together at a restaurant today. That woman must have asked Sebastian for help, which is why we’re in this mess now!”
“Damn that girl! Is she trying to drive LIG into the ground?!” Jonathan cursed angrily.
“Don’t panic,” Scott advised. “Even if they can’t remove the trending topic, it will still take time to do the handwriting analysis. We still have a chance. If worse comes to worst, we can directly contact Caitlin and negotiate with her.”
“Negotiate?” Jonathan was still unsure.
“Yes,” Scott said. “If we meet her demands and bring her back as a designer for LIG, officially, we can clear the plagiarism allegations. Then, she’ll help us save face.”
“That makes sense, but do you think she’ll accept the offer?” Jonathan asked, still doubtful.
Scott’s eyes gleamed with a hint of scheming. “She’s always wanted to reclaim the shares she had back then. I’m sure she’s after the shares. So, we’ll invite her to join LIG with the shares as a bargaining chip. Once we’ve got her on our side, we can deal with her more firmly and show her who’s really in control.”
“Good idea! Scott, you go ahead and make it happen!”
“Understood! I’ll handle it.”
Scott immediately set to work, contacting Caitlin through various channels until he managed to get her phone number. He dialed it right away, and after a few rings, Caitlin’s voice came through the receiver.
“Hello? Who’s this?”
“It’s me, Caitlin!” Scott replied.
“You? What are you calling me for?”
Scott took a deep breath and spoke in a tone of authority, “Caitlin, I already know. You’re the one behind the plagiarism scandal, aren’t you?”
Caitlin didn’t say a word, essentially confirming his guess.
“I knew it! I suggest you stop while you’re ahead. Destroying Jasmine and LIG won’t benefit you. Don’t forget, LIG’s predecessor was TGV. Do you really want to ruin the legacy your grandfather built?”
“Oh? So now you’re admitting that LIG’s predecessor was TGV?” Caitlin chuckled coldly. “Don’t worry. I won’t ruin my grandfather’s legacy.”
“But what you’re doing right now is way out of line! You’re causing terrible damage to LIG!” Scott warned harshly.
“And what if I am?” Caitlin’s voice was filled with disdain.
Her arrogant tone only made Scott even more furious,
“Tell me. What do you want? Do you want the shares back from back then?” Scott pressed.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I want!” Caitlin feplied without hesitation. “Not only do I want my old shares, I want to take back all of TGV!”
Scott gritted his teeth and said, “I can give you the shares, but I have a condition. You must join LIG as Kayla and publicly clarify that the plagiarism accusations were a misunderstanding. How about that?”
Caitlin let out a derisive laugh. “You know, you’re not much to look at, but your ideas are quite something.”
“Hey, you-
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Scott was infuriated by her words but managed to keep his composure. “Listen, Caitlin. You come to LIG tomorrow, and we’ll discuss the share transfer. Once you get the shares, you do as I say. Otherwise, don’t even think about getting them back.”
“Threatening me? You really think that will work on me?” Caitlin’s tone turned icy.
Scott’s temper flared. “Caitlin, listen up! If you think you can use me to cover up your plagiarism and get away with it, you’re dreaming! Jasmine dared to steal my designs, and now I’ll show her the consequences of her filthy theft!”
With that, Caitlin hung up the phone.
“Hello? Hello?” Scott’s words were left hanging in the air as the line went dead.
Negotiations had collapsed!
What would happen now? The shares, it seemed, held no appeal for her anymore!
Fuming with rage, Scott threw his phone aside just as Jasmine walked in.
“Scott, what happened?” she asked, concern on her face.
Scott turned to her and asked, “Tell me the truth. Who really owns those design sketches? Are they Caitlin’s?”
Now that it was out in the open, Jasmine couldn’t hide it anymore. “Scott, I never meant for things to get this out of hand. You have to help me! I can’t lose to that bitch Caitlin!”
Seeing an opportunity, Scott pulled her into his arms, comforting her. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you. I’ll always stand by you.”
“Scott…” Jasmine pretended to cry a few tears, then threw herself into his embrace.
Scott, using his connections, reached out to Kayla’s lawyer, tracing the handwriting expert who had been hired for the analysis. Using his influence and money, he arranged for the expert to alter the results.
The next morning, Scott was prepared to reveal a forged handwriting analysis, ready to make it public when an explosive interview broke out!
