Chapter: 1839

Karen had expected Rachel to confront Klein, to not let the matter slide so easily.

Incredulous, she asked Rachel, "Rachel, aren't you going to say anything?"

"What do you expect me to say?" Rachel looked at Karen, her question straightforward.

"Clearly, Klein is behind the data leak. Shouldn't you confront him?

Aren't you interested in investigating this?" Karen was perplexed by Rachel's response. She clearly felt Rachel's reaction was inadequate.

Rachel turned to face her, leaning casually against the desk. She looked at Karen and posed her questions. "Confront him? And what should I ask? ‘Why did you leak the data?' Do you understand the complications that could arise from accusing him now? Or are you suggesting we should dismiss Klein immediately and halt the project?"

Karen found herself at a loss for words, unable to reply to Rachel's pointed questions.

Rachel glanced in Klein's direction and declared, “Our main goal is to complete this project swiftly, especially before Sullivan Group makes another move. As for the data leak and whether Klein is responsible, we'll investigate that thoroughly."

Though Karen remained unconvinced, she couldn't argue further after Rachel's statement.

"Rachel is correct. Let's get back to work." Ethan was the most composed member of the team. With Rachel's instructions clear, further discussion was futile.

Karen gathered her laptop, preparing to leave the office.

Barnett halted her. "Karen, where are you headed?"

"I'll be working in the meeting room downstairs," Karen replied, her dissatisfaction evident. "I refuse to share a workspace with a leaker.

It feels unclean."

With that, Karen left, the office door slamming shut loudly behind her, echoing her frustration.

Rachel looked around at the remaining team members and instructed, "Get back to work."

The rest silently returned to their desks, the sound of typing filling the room. The earlier argument seemed like a distant memory.

Back at her cubicle, Rachel took her tablet, donned her headphones, and focused on the poster.

She knew well that the morning's dispute was far from a trivial matter.

Rachel lifted her head, scanning the faces of her colleagues in the office. Her gaze eventually settled on Klein's desk.

Throughout the discussion, Klein had remained remarkably composed.

Despite being the focal point of the debate, his demeanor suggested detachment, an unexpected reaction for Rachel.

Normally, a person falsely accused would react, if not with outrage, then at least with some form of defense.

Yet Klein neither denied nor admitted anything. His silence was peculiar.