Chapter 31

Lucas's POV

My secretary quickly entered my office while doing some paperwork and checking my emails. When I looked at him, he looked worried, which is why I was perplexed, and I set down the paper I was holding, which was a list of models who would model the new clothes that we designed.

"What's the problem? Why does your face appear worried?" I asked my secretary, and he handed me a new document, which I immediately opened.

"I'm not sure what happened, sir, but someone copied our new design and posted it on social media," my secretary said, and I couldn't believe it.

"Find out who did it, and when you find out who the traitor is, I'll fire him right away," I told my secretary, and he quickly nodded and exited my office.

I was worried about Aria, and now I'm concerned about someone in my company who copied my design, which is the best design I've ever created, and the dress was already finished. How am I supposed to come up with a new design concept?

When I looked at my phone, it was an unknown number, so I answered it and heard him laugh.

[Good afternoon, Mr. Collymore; do you like the design I posted?] As I stood up from my office chair, I was surprised to see a news article about the layout I had created.

"So you're the one who plagiarizes my design? Aren't you embarrassed by what you did? Even the last time you tried to ruin the dress I made?" I asked him, and he laughed evilly again.

[Why should I be embarrassed about that? It's my design now, and you can't change it; the model you got is also mine.] I was shocked to do that, and many emails arrived, and when I opened and read them, I realized it was the model I had invited.

"I'm not afraid of you; I'll announce that the design you made was originally created by me. I can sue you for stealing my work," I said as I hung up the phone and responded to the models' emails.

I was thinking about who would be my model for tomorrow's fashion show when my secretary came in and showed me the news about the design I had created.

"What should we do now, Sir? The model also backed out because she was chosen and paid her three times," My secretary said, and I took out a sketchbook and a pencil.

"The man who stole my design called my phone earlier and said he's the one who stole my idea, I didn't know his name, but he knows my name," I told my secretary as I sketched a new dress design.

"We need an emergency meeting right now, sir; should I notify the manager, designer, and other teams?" When my secretary asked, I nodded.

"Please do that; I'll finish this sketch in a few minutes," I ordered him, and I heard him leave my office, and all I could think about was Aria while I was sketching.

The hue of the Auxier I remember it being blueish with a reddish hue; I should use that color for my new dress design. I giggled and smiled as I colored after sketching a new design, then stood up, holding my sketchbook.

I look at it and write the name of the new design, 'Eternal Dress.' It would be lovely if Aria wore this dress that I created; I picked up my tablet and the sketchbook, exited the office, and noticed my secretary was back at his desk.

"Sir, everyone in the meeting room is waiting for you," my secretary advised me, and I nodded. I walked with my secretary beside me, and when we arrived at the meeting room, I opened the door, and everyone stood up from their seats.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Collymore," the Designer Manager said as everyone stood up to pay their respects.

"If you don't mind, my Collymore, you heard about the news, someone stole our design without your consent," the marketing manager said as I placed my tablet on the desk.

"Yes, I have heard about it; however, I have another plan. I already have a new design here; you can see it now if you like it. "As I sat down, I passed the sketchbook around, and everyone nodded in approval of my new design.

"I like the new dress design; we can process it right away so that the person who stole your design will be surprised that you have a backup plan," the design manager said, and I nodded.

"Do we have a CCTV recording of me sketching the design?" When I asked my secretary, he nodded.

"We have all of the video records in your office, sir; we can ask the security department to improve the video quality so that everyone can see that you are the one who designed the 'Neo Dress,'" my secretary explained.

"I want you to send this sketch to the tailor and my design team; no one will leave until the dress is finished; we need this," I told the design manager, who nodded.

"I'll do that, and then the meeting is over?" When the design manager asked, I stood up and nodded.

"Thank you for attending the emergency meeting; I will call you all if I need to announce anything," I said. Everyone nodded and stood up as I began to walk away from the meeting room.

"You're so talented, sir; do you get ideas while sketching the dress?" While we were walking back to my office, my secretary inquired.

"I have, but you already know her," I surprised him.

"Are you referring to Ms. Ximena? The girl who came here the day before?" I nodded when he asked.

"Yes, you are correct; she is vital to me," I said as we entered my office, where I placed my tablet on my office table.

"Does it appear that you treat her like your younger sister, sir?" I was surprised because I couldn't tell him the truth about Aria.

"Yes, you are correct. Do you think you could buy me some food today? I believe I will arrive home late today," I said to my secretary, and he immediately nodded.

"I will do that, sir; please list what you want to eat," my secretary said, and I wrote down what I wanted to eat.

I think I'll be fine eating some steamed vegetables with breast chicken on top; after listing it, I handed it to my secretary, who exited my office. I went through my phone and went to my message inbox, where I texted Aria.

Lucas: I believe I will be late today.

Aria: It's okay, the other protectors are also here, Khalil, and I apologize if you felt what happened to me earlier.

Lucas: It's okay; I'll talk to you if you're still awake; I'm going home late.

Aria: I'll wait for you and won't sleep until you arrive.

Lucas: That's fine with me; eat your dinner, and I'll call you before 7 p.m.

Aria: Of course, Wyatt will prepare delicious food again!

I smiled because she was always excited whenever Wyatt cooked something delicious. I picked up the document about the model I invited and threw it away because I was so frustrated; they only want money and are worthless. I won't waste my time on someone like them because they have a beautiful face and body that any woman can have.

I don't have anything to do now, so I'll sketch some dresses again. I pick up the sketchbook and the pencil. I began drawing and finished in 30 minutes, looking at the wall clock.

It was already 6:40 p.m. when I saw my secretary enter my office with a plastic bag containing my food. I set down my sketchbook, and he placed the food on my desk.

"I will eat as well, sir, and I also buy some drinks for you because you did not list a drink you want," my secretary said as I picked up the box with food and smiled as I opened it.

"Many thanks!" I expressed gratitude to my secretary. I took out my phone and texted the photo of my food to Aria, who immediately saw it, replied, and saw the food Wyatt had prepared, which made me smile.

Lucas: Let's eat now, and I'll call you directly.

When I called Aria's phone, she answered it, and I requested a video call, which she accepted right away. I also saw the other protestors who were present.

[Poor Lucas, he's also going home late, like Logan,] Aiden said, making me laugh.

"I've got to finish my work here," I said as I began to eat my food, surprised to see Aria's face covered in make-up.