Verna lowered her head, unable to meet Natalie''s gaze, let alone Sebastian''s. A wave of regret washed over her. She never should have taken the risk. With video evidence in Natalie''s hands, her career was over.


    Natalie hadn''t expected to find proof either, but then she remembered the camera in the corner of her office. A quick check of the yback confirmed her suspicions -the video was still there.


    She showed the footage to Sebastian. "Mr. Griffith, how do you think we should handle this?"


    Sebastian watched the video. He saw her sitting at a bright marble desk, her expression focused as she drew. She was beautiful. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window behind her, casting a soft halo around her figure. Her eyes were intent, her pen gliding smoothly across the paper, bringing intricate designs to life. She waspletely absorbed in her own world, a level of dedication that impressed him.


    His voice was low and gravelly. "Natalie, I didn''t know the designs were yours. The situation has already unfolded, and the new line has beenunched. How about this-what if you sell the designs to mypany?"


    "Fine," Natalie agreed without hesitation.


    "I have two conditions. First, I want a percentage of the sales from these ten pieces. Second, I want an exnation. How did Verna get her hands on the designs?"


    "If you can''t meet these conditions, I have more than enough evidence to sue yourpany."


    Her eyes were merciless. She wasn''t ming Sebastian for this; she knew he wouldn''t stoop to scheming over a few designs.


    Joanna clenched her fists, her face a mask of fury as she watched Natalie. Failed again. Ever since Natalie had woken up after the birthday party, she had been apletely different person.


    Sebastian turned to Verna, his eyes sharp, his voice resonating with anger. "Verna, you have two choices. One, tell me who gave you the designs. Two, spend the rest of your life in prison."


    Verna flinched. She shot a quick nce at Joanna. With solid evidence against her, there was no escape. Even an idiot could see she''d been used.


    "It... it was Jerome. He sent me the designs," she mumbled, her head bowed, tears welling in her eyes. She was a brilliant designer, but she had let a moment of greed destroy. everything. Her entire life, he entire identity, was tied to her work.


    Verna walked over to Natalie. "Ms. Sanders, I was blinded by temptation. When I saw how beautiful the designs were, I didn''t think. Bust used them Please, forgive me this one time. I don''t know how to do anything else."


    Natalie''s cold gaze met hers. “Verna, I know it wasn''t easy for you to get where you are. But you''re not tellings the truth. I spoke with Jerome before I came here. You should


    know what that means."


    A sharp pain pierced Verna''s heart. A moment of greed, a moment of confusion, had truly ruined her life.


    "I''m sorry, Ms. Sanders. I''ve wronged you," Verna said, then looked at Sebastian. Was this her punishment for betraying her formerpany for him?