Chapter 142


    I took the smartphone from his hand, and almost instantly, I was sure it was my design.


    More specifically, it was my initial draft, a few details still rough around the edges, yet someone had


    copied it verbatim.


    But it was exactly this unfinished state that clued me in on how my design ended up with Margaret,


    sending a chill down my spine.


    “Don’t worry.” Mark’s voice was soothing, like a balm to my worries, “Before you figure out how to


    prove it’s your design, I’ll keep this under wraps.”


    “No need to hide it.”


    I brushed my hair behind my ear, offering a wry smile, “Let’s air his dirtyundry-the more fuss it


    causes, the better.”


    I hadn’t anticipated Margaret would be so bold as to swipe so much from me. Since she’d thrown


    down the gauntlet, I was not opposed to teaching her a lesson.


    Mark’s eyes, clear and serene, crinkled with a smile, “I was worried these consecutive issues would


    get you down, but it seems you’ve already got a n?”


    “Yep.”


    I nodded, “Back in college, our professor always said, in our line of work, to protect your designs,


    you must always be ready to prove they’re yours.”


    Joy danced in Mark’s eyes, “Three years on, you’ve only gotten better and more adept at


    safeguarding what’s yours.”


    I chuckled, puzzled, “Mark, howe you’re so sure this design is mine? Didn’t you ever doubt,


    even for a second, that I might have copied Margaret?”


    “The Jane I know isn’t someone who’d ever rip off someone else’s work.” He was


    confident, then added with a lightugh, “Besides, ever heard of backing up your friends, right or


    wrong?”


    “Huh?”


    “We’re friends, aren’t we?”


    He teased, half-joking, “Whatever you do, I’ve got your back.”


    I couldn’t help butugh, “Is that how you treat all your friends?”


    “Yep.” He shrugged nonchntly, a mysterious smirk ying on his lips, “But, I don’t have many


    friends.”


    That was the truth. Having known him for years, though he mingled with folks like Steven


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    and Bryant, it seemed


    he was only close with them.


    And now, it felt like he and Bryant had drifted apart.


    Seemed like his circle had shrunk to just me and Steven.


    I couldn’t help but offer some constion, “I don’t have many friends either, aside from you and


    Christine. Not much interaction beyond that.”


    “That’s fine by me.”


    His smile was warm, his eyes slightly upturned, creating a captivating look, hisshes. casting


    shadows as if hiding his thoughts.


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    I warmed my hands around my coffee when Mark’s phone sud only rang. He shot me an apologetic


    look, “Let me take this call.”


    He headed outside, phone in hand.


    ncing at the time, I decided to head out too, giving him a wave from a distance before leaving.


    But I saw him, his expression stern, the warmth and gentleness gone as he spoke into the phone.


    From a distance, I couldn’t make out his words.


    Suddenly, he seemed to feel my gaze, looking up at me, his expression softening as he


    approached, “Got it, we’ll leave it at that.


    After hanging up, he gestured towards my car, Leaving now?”


    I figured he was dealing with some work hassle, nodding, “Yeah, got some errands to run. You


    better head to work too.”


    “Sure. Need help with the giarism issue?”


    “Actually, yes.”


    I smiled lightly, “Margaret won’t let this go easily. How about we meet tomorrow? I’ll prove the


    design is mine, clear the air for yourpany.”


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