Sofia''s face drained of all color, and she struggled to keep it together. "Dominic, I swear, I have no idea where that data came from. I don''t know anything about the patent stuff either."


    Dominic let out a heavy sigh and waved his hand, almost like he''d already given up. "It is what it is..."


    Sebastian stepped up next to Sofia, slipping his arm around her to keep her steady. "Dominic, Sofia really didn''t know anything about this. She wasn''t involved before now. And I''ll take care of what happens next. There''s no need for Clever Cloud''s reputation to take a hit."


    Sofia looked up at him, eyes shining with gratitude. As long as Sebastian was here, she felt like nothing could knock her down.


    "That''s right, Dominic," Zach spoke up, "If this blows up, it''s all of us who''ll suffer.


    "Ms. Meyer''s traffic control system is already being used by a bunch ofpanies. If we pull it now, just the breach of contract penalties will be a nightmare.


    "And the ''Emotis'' system still isn''t finished. If she leaves before it''s done, who''s going to deal with that mess?


    "If you really insist she goes, Dominic, I''ll have to buy the ''Emotis'' project from Clever Cloud and have Ms. Meyer and her whole team work for me at Iron Financial.


    "How about we just let her stay, finish ''Emotis'', and then decide what''s next?" The second Zach finished, Sofia felt like she could finally breathe again.


    She knew Clever Cloud desperately needed Iron Financial''s investment. With Zach on her side, Dominic wouldn''t dare fire her.


    All she had to do was finish ''Emotis'' as soon as possible. Once itunched, her reputation would recover.


    Dominic nced at the man standing next to n. The man gave the slightest nod.


    Dominic shook his head. "Since Mr. Wiles has spoken, Sofia can take the project and leave the institute."


    He turned to Sebastian. "I see you''re sticking up for Ms. Meyer, Mr. Ratcliff. I won''t go public with any of this, but I''m trusting you to handle the fallout. Don''t let Clever Cloud get dragged into it."


    "Of course," Sebastian said, his eyes sweeping the room andnding on Reese with a clear warning.


    "This was just a misunderstanding. Sofia used institute data, and there was no giarism. I hope everyone here keeps that straight.


    "If I catch even a whisper about this outside, Ratcliff Global''swyers will be paying you a visit."


    He nced at Elijah, who looked pale, then spoke quietly, "Let''s go."


    Sofia knew after all this, she was definitely out at Clever Cloud. She couldn''t help feeling bitter, but all she could do was re at Reese before letting Sebastian lead her away.


    "Mr. Ratcliff really would defend Ms. Meyer to the ends of the earth. He could turn ck into white if he wanted to..."


    "Shh, let it go. What can we do? This is Bridger Lake. No one messes with Ratcliff Global. If he wants to protect someone, there''s no stopping him."


    The buzz of gossip echoed in her ears as Sebastian shielded her from the crowd, leaning down tofort her.


    "I''m sorry, Sebastian. I dragged you into this," Sofia whispered, her eyes red from holding back tears. "I really didn''t know that data belonged to Reese."


    "It''s okay. None of this is your fault," Sebastian replied, his voice calm and steady. "I''ll take care of it. Don''t worry."


    Sensing that he didn''t me her, Sofia felt her heart settle a little. "Alright. I just don''t get why the professor is so determined to protect Reese. Does she really have some secret talent or something?"


    A trace of resentment flickered in her eyes.


    She''d turned down so many offers from other institutes when she came back home, choosing Clever Cloud and Dr. Dominic without a second thought.