Chapter: 184
"If Maddie is behind this, I won't shield her," he stated.

"Don't you see?" Bethany frowned. "We're not on the same page here. I'm absolutely certain of my innocence, while you continue to say ‘if.' That puts you either on the fence or on Maddie's side."

"And Jayson? Is he on your side?"

"At least he isn't backing Maddie."

Jonathan knit his thick brows together. "To clear your name, you need solid proof. It's not enough just to have Jayson on your side."

"I'm aware. That's why I'm off to collect evidence now." Bethany pulled at the car door, her brows furrowed. “Open the door."

"You'd need either Maddie's outright confession or clear proof she directed you to send the technical drawings. Heading to Apricot Microsystems is futile; they steadfastly claim the drawings as their own."

Everyone in the industry recognized Apricot Microsystems’ stance.

Bethany would gain nothing by visiting them. Worse still, if she were seen there, it could further implicate her.

"Can you get her to admit her wrongdoing?" Bethany turned to face him.

"No," he replied honestly.

“Then it's pointless. I have to find another way." Bethany realized the road ahead would be tough, but she had no other option but to persevere.

Any shred of evidence was better than standing idle.

"Just hear me out," Jonathan said, grasping her wrist. "I'll figure something out. You're too caught up in this right now. Your choices might backfire. Let me deal with it. Why don't you take a few days off?"

“A few days off? Or get permanently blacklisted from the investment industry?" she retorted.

Each word cut deeply into him.

“I've said it before, if you're innocent, no one can frame you.”

"But I am innocent! How many are accusing me now? I was at Ensson Corporation today. I'm not deaf; I could hear their whispers, calling me a gold digger, ungrateful, and a company traitor. I didn't do that! I truly didn't." Bethany was overwhelmed and broke down crying.

She hid her face in her hands.

She didn't want anyone to witness her tears.

She could withstand tough times, but the pain of being falsely accused was intolerable-even worse than death itself.

Yet, she felt as fragile as an egg against a rock-inevitably, it was the egg that would break, not the rock.

Bethany was the egg.

Jonathan remained silent, simply listening to her quiet weeping before handing her a tissue.