Chapter 207 - Plagiarism 2

''Jason, don't you find it strange? A lot of people are looking at me'' Natalie asked and Jason turned. The workers looked away when they saw him looking at them.

''That's true. Are you trending again because of your husband?'' Jason asked.

''No way'' Natalie removed her phone and her eyes turned cold.

''What is it?''

''Jason… look. Someone is accusing me of plagiarism on the internet. They are saying I stole designs from the Cheodong Gallery and used it as my designs''

''How is that possible?'' Jason removed his phone and looked at it. He turned to Natalie and asked, ''aren't these from the designs you made when you were about to collaborate with Susan? How did they get out?''

''What do you think?'' Natalie asked..

''You mean Susan set you up?''

''These designs were originally among the samples she gave me to work on, so I made the designs out of them. But she didn't tell me she got them from the Cheodong Gallery. I haven't been to the Gallery before so how is it possible that I stole designs from them?''

''You are right. Let's go and see William''

''Mm'' Natalie went with Jason towards Willian's office.

….

''Mom, there must be a misunderstanding somewhere. These designs are indeed from our company but our company designer would never plagiarize anything from Cheodong Gallery'' William was speaking on the phone when Natalie and Jason entered.

''I will speak to you later, Mom'' William hung up and looked at Natalie.

''William, I did not copy anyone's designs. I only made those designs based on the samples Susan brought. It's almost a year now since I started working here, I have never done such a thing before''

''I know and I believe you but the world doesn't think that way. Look at the comments we are getting in our page? A lot of people are saying that you are using your husband and his family to get away with a lot of things. Susan's fans are attacking you because they think that you are stopping Susan from getting deals''

''Wait! What does this mean?'' Natalie asked angrily.

''Our company stocks just plummet because of this in the last few minutes. We are losing a lot of deals. The Annual City X Designers Week is also closing in. this is a bad timing for us, Natalie''

''William, what are you saying? Natalie has gotten us a lot of money since joining the team. Her designs are topnotch. Isn't that the reason why you submitted her name for the Jewelry Designers Awards this year even though she is a rookie in the game? Now you want to drop her just because of something trivial like this?''

''This isn't trivial, Jason!''

''We just returned from a meeting and the client was praising Natalie for her works. Last week, we closed a deal thanks to her and just because of this, you want to kick her out?''

''The losses we've incurred in the last 30 minutes is more than what she has earned us. I am the manager and I need to do what is best for the company''

''And that is casting her out after an accusation that is not founded yet? Susan brought those samples in. If anything, you as the manager should have checked with her to make sure that those samples weren't copied''

''That's enough!'' Natalie shouted at both of them. She took a deep breath to calm herself down before speaking, 'all of this will go away as long as I leave, right?''

''Natalie…'' Jason looked at her,

''I will leave. But I am not going to let this matter go. I will make sure that my name is cleared. William, I just hope that you do not have a hand in this because I will never forgive you''

''What are you insinuating, Natalie?''

''You were the one who brought Susan in. for whatever reason, I do not know but she came to mess with me and you gave her the greenlight. If this wasn't planned, then I don't know if it is just a mere coincidence. I will get to the bottom of this'' Natalie turned and opened the door and saw Amy.

''What to do? A lot of people are calling off their deals with us. They are also demanding an explanation and an apology from Natalie. Cheodong Gallery is asking for compensation and a formal apology''

''I will not apologize for something I did not do. Compensation? I am not giving a penny out to no vultures. I Natalie Jun will only apologize if I am in the wrong, but this… no… never!'' Natalie walked away after saying that.

''This is so messed up. William, are you really going to leave everything to Natalie to handle?'' Jason asked.

''She has a capable husband, she doesn't need my help anyways'' William said and sat down.

''What do I tell Cheodong Gallery?'' Amy asked.

''Tell them to bring their lawyers'' William answered.

….

When Natalie came out of the company, a group of youngsters rushed on her. They started throwing eggs and flour on her. Natalie closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking at them with a cold gaze.

''You bitch! Susan and Mikael are each other's first love. You came between them and now you are stopping Susan from getting any deals'' one of them spoke.

Natalie wiped the egg York from her forehead and walked to the two girls. She picked the eggs and threw them back at the girls and the people watching gasped.

''How does it feel to be sticky? Do you want me to add the flour? Let's all turn into cake and bread with the eggs and flour''

''You…'' one of the girls fumed.

''Shut up! I am a woman who is also four months pregnant. Just over some unfounded accusations, you come to my workplace to attack me. Do you know the stress you are putting my baby through? If you feel that your favorite actress has being wronged, then bring your evidence. If I am in the wrong, I will apologize. You are all supposed to be in school, yet you slacked off and came here to attack me. Are you that bored? Aye, what is the world turning into?''

''Do you mean to say that you are being accused wrongly?'' one of the girls asked.

''I am wronged in fact my baby and I feel wronged. Do you think that I would be here talking to you if I were in the wrong? The police would have arrested me by now. No?''

''The police are here'' one of them shouted and Natalie looked at the roadside. But it wasn't the police she was seeing. It was the man in the middle that had captured her attention.

''Natalie, are you alright?'' Mikael asked as he walked to them.

''Mm, I'm fine''

''Are you the people causing problems here?'' the police asked the schoolgirls.

''Officer, let them go. They came to ask me about the truth. Right?'' Natalie looked at them.

''Yes…''

''Yes...'' the girls nodded their heads and hid their things.

''Let them go. They need to go back to school''

''Mikael Sun is so handsome. Please, can I get an autograph?'' one of the girls asked.

''I will give you not just an autograph but I will also give you gifts if you promise to not harass my wife again. She is pregnant and the baby is sensitive''

''Yes, yes, we will do whatever you say'' the leader of the girls spoke.

''Alright, Brian, bring the gifts'' Mikael said to his assistant.

''Okay''

After distributing the gifts to the girls, Mikael helped Natalie to the car and they drove off. The girls completely forgot their assignment which was to make things difficult for Natalie. Of course, they were sent but now, they had no intention of doing anything like that. They were completely bought over by Mikael and Natalie.

….

Natalie came out to the bedroom after showering and changing into her loungewear. Mikael who was waiting for her stood up when he saw her.

''Natalie, are you alright?''

''Mm, I'm fine. Thanks for not letting the police take the girls away''

''It's alright. I was worried that they might hurt you. But it seems you didn't need my help at all. You put them in their place and even corrected them''

''Mikael, I am innocent. I will never plagiarize anyone's work''

''Do you even need to tell me this? I believe and trust you. I know you so well. This is happening because of me. I was the one who provoked Susan and caused all of this''

''I want to get to the bottom of this. if I don't do something, my name is going to get marred''

''What do you want to do?''

''I want to buy Janice''

''What?''

''William has been getting on my nerves lately. He is incapable of managing Janice well, so after clearing my name, I will buy Janice with the money Thomas left me''

''Are you serious?''

''Yes, I am serious. I've asked Xia to look into the matter already. She promised to get to the root of it by tomorrow''

''Alright. I will also be working on it''

''Mm, tomorrow I will personally visit Cheodong Gallery and have a word with them''

''That's my girl. You have everything planned out already'' Mikael hugged her.