"If you hadpleted this project with loyalty and dedication, you could have be a key figure here," Oliver said in a voice filled with regret. "This was a 70- million-dor project, and you sold the proposal for just 50 grand. Do you even know that each of you three are set to receive more than that in bonuses with the sess of this project?"


    Hearing this, Samson lifted his head in disbelief and stared at Oliver.


    "The finance department is already processing the bonuses. They should be deposited into your ounts this afternoon," Oliver continued as he turned to Patricia and me. "Well done for your hard work."


    That was no small amount for either of us, and despite trying to contain our excitement, the joy was evident on our faces.


    Meanwhile, Samson''s expression turned grimmer, his face growing paler by the second.


    "The police are already waiting outside for you," Oliver said while patting


    Samson''s shoulder. He hadn''t used much force, but Samson still crumpled to the ground.


    "Mr. Hastings, please! I know I was wrong," Samson pleaded.


    He crawled toward Alex, but Alex''s overwhelming presence and icy demeanor made Samson hesitate. Instead, he turned toward me.


    "Serena, Serena, I''m sorry! I really know I was wrong! Please, beg Mr. Hastings for me. Just this once, ask him to forgive me!"


    I looked at Samson, feeling a trace of pity but not sympathy. He had countless chances toe clean. Alex had given him so many opportunities, but he had chosen to lie every time. And the truth was, he wasn''t remorseful-he was just afraid.


    As we watched the police take him away, Patricia and I couldn''t help but feel a sense of heaviness in our hearts.


    "Everyone has to pay for their own mistakes," Patricia murmured before lowering her gaze. "He had such a bright future ahead of him, and now, it''s all gone."


    I let out a long sigh. "He treated a multi-million-dor project like a game, using it to y petty revenge. It was beyond childish."


    Back in the R&D department, Scarlett was pacing anxiously, unable to sit still. "Scarlett, we''re back," I said with a smile and walked toward her.


    The moment she saw me, she grabbed my arms and started looking me up and down.


    "What''s wrong?" I asked in confusion.


    "Are you... Are you okay, Serena?"


    "I''m fine," I said with augh, twirling around. "See? I''m perfectly fine, standing right here!"


    "You scared me to death." She finally sighed in relief. "I heard... that they found something serious on yourputer. Ever since you leftfor that meeting, I''ve been on edge."


    Seeing her so worried, I suddenly felt touched. "Scarlett, I appreciate your concern. The email may have been sent from myputer, but it wasn''t me-it was Samson."


    Hearing his name, Scarlett''s eyes widened in disbelief. As the team leader of the R&D department, she oversaw all the neers.


    "Samson?"


    Patricia and I both nodded solemnly and then Patricia exined everything to her.


    Scarlett sighed and said in a voice


    heavy with regret. "A kid fresh out of university... How could he do something like this? Selling out a multi-million-dor project for just 50 grand. If he had just done his job properly, his bonuses alone would have been worth far more than that."


    Sensing the weight in the room, I decided to lighten the mood. Stepping forward with a grin, I said, "You''re absolutely right, Scarlett! Patricia and I each just got a bonus worth 200 grand!"