Chapter: 181

The message contained only an email address, and the phone number wasn't working.

“Does this prove that Maddie framed you?" Carson raised his eyebrows, clearly skeptical.

It was completely out of the question.

The president of Zucron Company had personally come to address this issue. Carson felt the same pressure as Bethany.

“But it truly was a call from Maddie, claiming she urgently needed the drawings. I was puzzled why she needed them, but she insisted it was critical for the project, so I sent them to her." Bethany was telling the truth.

Her trust in Maddie's loyalty to Bates Group had led her to believe Maddie wouldn't betray the company.

"Who will believe your story?" Carson's expression darkened. He tossed the phone back to her. "Bethany, can you use your head a bit? If you're trying to implicate someone in this mess, stop spouting nonsense. That's Maddie, the chief lawyer of Bates Group. What does she gain by framing you, a mere assistant? She wouldn't do this just because she dislikes your presence, would she?"

“I think it's because... I've been getting closer to Mr. Bates recently while working at Bates Group, and that's made her jealous."

"She thinks you're trying to seduce Mr. Bates?"

Bethany remained silent.

"How absurd!" Carson was so exasperated that he rolled his eyes. "Who are you? Who is Maddie? Can you even compare to her? Bethany, surely you understand the difference in status and identity between you and Maddie, right?"

Aimee, who was nearby, took offense to this. "What are you implying? Just because she's wealthier than Bethany, everything she does is justified? That's blatant discrimination!"

“And who exactly are you talking to?" Carson pointed aggressively at Aimee's nose. "No one is more eager to resolve this than me! If you show evidence that Maddie framed Bethany, I'll believe it all. Even if you claim Mr. Bates is behind it, I'll accept that. But where's the proof? Show me!"

Aimee was momentarily at a loss for words after Carson's sharp response, casting a covert glance at Bethany.

"Give me some time. I'll find the evidence," said Bethany.

Carson asked, “How much time? Zucron Company is tough to handle. I can afford to wait a bit, but they might not be so patient."

“Ten days," Bethany replied, her fists clenched tightly.

“I'll give you three days at most. If you haven't found the evidence by then, I'll have to publicly declare that you leaked the technical drawings." Carson was in no mood for further discussion.

His team had been navigating one crisis after another this year, creating additional problems for the headquarters. Now, Bethany's situation seemed like just another blow in a year already filled with challenges.

As Carson stormed out, slamming the door behind him, Aimee tugged at Bethany's sleeve. “What should we do? Is three days enough to find the evidence?"

"I'm not sure." In fact, Bethany didn't even know where to begin right now.

Maddie certainly wasn't going to confess.

The power dynamics were vastly skewed against her.

It seemed she was at a disadvantage on all fronts.