“Legal action?”
The room fell into a hush as everyone exchanged puzzled glances.
Millie could feel dozens of eyes turning toward her, curiosity and skepticism mingling in their stares.
Listening to Danielle’s words, she felt the sheer absurdity of the accusation. She had been developing her technology diligently, yet now Danielle was throwing around threats of a lawsuit. What else could that mean? Chairman White and the government clearly valued AetherX Dynamics’ innovation, and Danielle was trying to leech off their success with a shameless claim.
Even Kirsten looked taken aback.
Millie knew she was innocent regarding any theft of technology, but she hadn’t expected Attorney Stewart to be so quick on the draw—had they really managed to file a case already?
Liam stared at Danielle in disbelief, wondering if he’d misheard her. “You’ve really lost it, haven’t you? You can’t make it yourself, so you just say someone else stole your work? Even a thief has more shame. One word from you and suddenly Millie’s technology belongs to you?”
He shook his head, increasingly convinced Danielle was hopelessly naïve. In front of this crowd, if she couldn’t back up her words, she’d be the talk of the industry for all the wrong reasons.
Millie, meanwhile, remained calm and composed.
“Perhaps Ms. Crawford is simply mistaken,” she said, her voice measured. “You’re welcome to explain your concerns, Ms. Crawford. We’re all here—I’d be happy to clear up any misunderstanding.”
Alexander’s gaze lingered on Danielle, but he kept his counsel. He was, for now, a bystander. As long as Millie’s interests weren’t threatened, he’d wait for the evidence before stepping in to help.
“Chairman White, may I use the projector?”
Chairman White gestured for her to proceed.
Danielle smirked to herself. He was being diplomatic for the audience—first showing loyalty, then pledging to follow the evidence. It was clear: he trusted Millie, not her.
Millie’s smile lingered, unfazed. So what if their marriage was now public knowledge? Alexander was still standing firmly on her side.
Liam crossed his arms. “Everyone knows what’s going on here—a bunch of smoke and mirrors.”
Just then, Danielle finished setting up her phone, and the projection flashed onto the screen. A detailed timeline, a complete chain of evidence, and—most damning of all—identical original data and code.
This wasn’t mere plagiarism; it was a perfect, line-for-line copy.
The audience stared at the comparison, a collective gasp sweeping the room. Eyes flicked from Millie to Alexander, everyone remembering that before his marriage to Danielle was exposed, Alexander had always gone out of his way to protect Millie.
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