Ethan didn't let the matter rest and continued, "Mother should know that I hate being deceived and played for a fool, especially when someone is scheming behind my back doing things that shouldn't see the light of day."
Anna's face turned pale. Her body trembled with anger.
Ethan continued, "You have half an hour to suppress public opinion. You should know that if I take action, you won't be able to bear the consequences."
Anna gritted her teeth and asked, "What kind of love potion did Samantha give you to make you infatuated with her like this?"
Ethan raised his lips, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His low and sinister voice echoed, "I'm not interested in her. I just don't like being manipulated."
Seeing him deny, Anna still didn't believe it, suspiciously looking at him, "Do you really not like her?"
She knew her son well. He had always disdained lying. If he said no, then it definitely meant no.
She would take action against Samantha because she misunderstood that her son liked her. If her son truly had no interest in her, she wouldn't bother dealing with a junior.
Ethan unconsciously recalled Samantha's actions over the past few days. His thin lips tightened into a line, and he decisively squeezed out two words from between his teeth, "Not interested."
Hearing his answer, Anna suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Since you say you don't like her, I believe you! Within half an hour, I will suppress public opinion! I hope you keep your word and don't get entangled with her."
After speaking, she got up and left the CEO's office.
Anna left.
Ethan's mood, however, did not improve at all, but rather became more irritated.
Why didn't Samantha come to him when the matter had become so big?
As long as she was willing to humble herself and ask him, he would definitely help her.
Since she insisted on holding her ground, let's see how long she could hold on.
At Sky Group,
Wendy paced anxiously in her office.
"Suzy is really despicable. She dared to steal your design draft, and even turned the tables, accusing you of plagiarism. Regardless of whether it succeeds or not, your reputation will be affected. How can you establish yourself in this industry in the future?"
Samantha had spent the whole night sleepless, resulting in dark circles around her eyes, a dim expression, and pale lips.
Seeing her silent, Wendy continued, "If you can prove that the design draft is yours, this matter can not only be easily resolved, but it can also be used to deal with Suzy and the Miller Group."
Rubbing her slightly aching temples, Samantha said, "She has the original manuscript; there's simply no way to prove that the design draft is mine."
Only Karen and Yurika had seen her design draft.
They were her best friends, and even if they testified for her, no one would believe them. It might even backfire.
Wendy, frustrated, said, "What do we do? Just let them sue? If they've plagiarized, we should counter-sue! The key is that they are the ones copying, and now they're turning the tables."
Samantha, feeling unwell, closed her eyes in discomfort, "Don't worry! I'll find a way."
Wendy didn't believe her, "Do you really have a way?"
Samantha nodded.
Seeing her uneasy expression, Wendy sat across from her, concerned, "What's wrong? Not feeling well?"
As she reached out to touch her forehead, she immediately recoiled.
"Oh my God! Your forehead is so hot; you have a fever."
Samantha, feeling unwell, used her hand to support her head, unable to focus on the conversation.
Wendy helped her up, "You have a high fever. I'll take you to the hospital first, and we can talk about the rest when you feel better."
Ignoring Samantha's resistance and struggle, she forcibly took her to the hospital.
The hospital was crowded. With procedures like registration, examination, and buying medicine, two hours had passed when the fever-reducing medication was finally administered.
Samantha, exhausted, leaned back in the chair and fell asleep with her eyes closed.
Wendy remained by her side.
Nick and Oliver walked past the infusion room.
Oliver noticed Samantha receiving the IV and couldn't help but pull Nick to stop, nodding his chin towards her.
Nick followed his gaze.
Seeing Samantha receiving the IV with a displeased expression, Nick couldn't help but frown.
Oliver's attention was on Samantha, and he didn't notice his change of expression. Tugging at his thin lips, he couldn't help but say, "It seems the accusation of plagiarism has hit her hard! Last time I saw her, her complexion was rosy, full of vitality. In just a few days, she has lost weight, and her little face has no color."
Nick, observing Samantha, didn't notice the change in Oliver's expression. He sneered, "One reaps what one sows."
Oliver was surprised and raised an eyebrow, "Do you really believe she plagiarized?"
Nick, expressionless, said, "Truth cannot be faked, and lies cannot be true. Besides, her affairs have nothing to do with me."
After saying that, he walked away without looking back.
Feeling his hostility towards Samantha, Oliver shook his head helplessly, took out his phone, secretly took a photo of Samantha, and sent it to Ethan.
Upon receiving Oliver's message, Ethan was currently furious with the senior management, throwing a stack of documents violently at their faces.
"Is this your proposal? As a veteran of the company, you dare to submit a proposal without even conducting market research? What's inside your head?"
The senior management trembled in fear, afraid to even take a breath.
Ethan sternly said, "Don't think about taking shortcuts. No one's success comes from cutting corners! If this is your work attitude, get out of Emperor immediately."
The senior management quivered, pleading, "Please, give me another chance. I'll redo it right away!"
Impatient, Ethan roared, "Get out!"
The senior management left as if granted clemency.
After the office returned to silence, Ethan picked up his phone to check the message.
Seeing the contents, a coldness overflowed between his eyebrows.
Without hesitation, he dialed Oliver's number.
The call wasn't answered, and he immediately hung up, tossing the phone back on the desk in frustration.
What did Samantha's life or death have to do with him?
He couldn't be bothered!
On the other side, Oliver was discussing matters with Nick.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
Seeing the message, a meaningful smile curled on his lips.
Nick raised his eyebrows, asking, "Did you inform Ethan about Samantha's illness?"
Oliver didn't directly answer, stood up, walked to the office door, answered the phone, and teased, "Slower than I imagined."
Ethan's chilly voice came from the other end, "Cut the crap. Which hospital is she in?"
Oliver said mockingly, "Where else could she be? Nick's hospital. First-floor infusion room..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the call was already hung up.
Oliver said speechlessly, "A man who prioritizes sex over friendships!"
After muttering under his breath, he returned to the office.
Nick remained fixated on the subject.
Back in the office, Oliver returned and found Nick still probing, "Why did you tell Ethan about Samantha's illness?"
Oliver knew Nick harbored ill will towards Samantha. He lied kindly, "Who told you it was Ethan? It was my assistant, asking about work matters."
Nick clearly didn't believe, "Really?"
Oliver intentionally changed the topic, "What? Interested in my company's affairs now? Or don't you believe what I say?"
With this question, Nick didn't pursue the matter further.
***