Chapter 455

Olivia Sinclair whispered to herself, lost in contemplation. "That's precisely why I can't simply walk away from this."

She hesitated before finally committing. "I'll do everything within my power."

From the reports she'd studied, Newport was spiraling downward due to a scandal, though the specifics remained unclear. Today, the director finally revealed the full story.

"It all began with plagiarism," he admitted, his voice laced with frustration and shame. "We hired this brilliant young designer whose creations were breathtakingly elegant and commanded premium prices. She quickly rose to become our lead designer."

"But then the truth emerged," he continued, shaking his head. "She'd stolen designs from an undergraduate student who hadn't even graduated yet."

The director's shoulders slumped as he went on. "The student came forward with undeniable proof. At first, we thought we could contain it. We compensated the student generously and terminated the designer, though she stubbornly maintained her innocence and refused to apologize."

His expression darkened. "Then came the accusations that we'd orchestrated the plagiarism intentionally. Rumors started circulating about previous copyright violations and employee mistreatment. Miss Sinclair, as you know, in today's world, misinformation spreads faster than wildfire. Once public opinion turns against you, it can destroy individuals and corporations alike."

Olivia nodded grimly. People often believed what they wanted to believe. The truth became irrelevant once the narrative took hold. Once tarnished, every word you spoke would be met with skepticism. Even your defenders would face backlash. In this digital age, character assassination had become frighteningly easy and consequence-free.

"What's the current status?" Olivia asked, steadying her breathing to calm her racing thoughts. "It's been two, maybe three years since that incident. Surely it should have faded by now."

The director's bitter chuckle held no humor. "That's what one would expect. But the accuser won't let it go. I don't know what grudge she holds against us or why she continues this vendetta."

Olivia frowned. Why would someone remain fixated on revenge after all this time?

After a moment's consideration, she proposed, "Perhaps you could arrange a meeting? Tell her I'd like to speak with her personally."

The director hesitated. "I'm not sure that's wise. She's unlikely to agree."

"Whether she agrees is her decision. Your role is simply to deliver my message. Are there other complications?"

The director's expression turned grave. "Yes, there's been legal action. When we previously attempted contact, she accused our vice president of harassment and claimed we tried to intimidate her."

Olivia's sharp look prompted the director to quickly add, "None of it was true, of course. It appears she's deliberately provoking confrontation. Given her hostility, we discontinued all communication."

Olivia's lips curled in disdain. "She's clever, manipulating public perception to her advantage. She wants to ensure Newport never recovers because she knows if we regain our footing, she'll be the first one we hold accountable. Set up that meeting. I want to hear her grievances directly from her own lips."