Eudora thought that she saved it in a wrong file. She could not find it no matter how hard she tried.
When Amos came home, he saw her staring at the laptop helplessly. She was so anxious that she was about to cry.
Amos frowned and asked, âWhatâs wrong?â
âMy draft is gone!â Eudora cried, âIt was still in my laptop this afternoon, but I couldnât find it when I came back home. What should I do? The meeting is tomorrow. I thought I could win the case this time.â
Amos frowned again. âDid anyone touch your computer?â
Eudora shook her head and answered, âIâve been holding on to it the whole timeâ¦â She paused for a while and she recalled, âI went to print some documents when I was about to get off work just now. Jacqueline volunteered to watch over my laptop.â
âCould it be her? But, why did she do it? Sheâs so outstanding and excellent at her work!â
Eudora was not that naive either. She just didnât expect that Jacqueline, whom she respected so much, would do such a thing.
Amos looked at Eudora disapprovingly, âPerhaps that is precisely why she did this. It makes sense for her to do this in order to destroy you since you are acting so confidently.â
Eudora gave him a wry smile and whispered, âIâm too naive.â
âNo, youâre not,â Amos replied, âItâs just that you never believe bad people exist around you.â
Eudora let out a long sigh and started to work again. âAnyway, letâs come out with a new plan first.â
Amos was astonished by her reaction. She never failed to surprise him. Expectedly, she was not frustrated at what happened and was able to quickly adjust her mood.
âTell me your idea,â Amos said.
âMy original design is a European style, but since Jacqueline had stolen my work, I canât use it anymore in case it was a trap. So I have to use another style. Iâm considering the minimalist style!â Eudora shared her idea.
Amos nodded and commented, âSounds good, but itâs going to be hard to make it stand out among so many designers.â
Eudora had also considered this possibility. However, she was not left with many choices.
âWhat about a modern European style!â Amos suggested.
âHmm?â Eudora pondered for a moment, and exclaimed excitedly, âGood idea!â
People nowadays preferred modern European style a lot more. On one hand, it could satisfy the expectation of the older generation, and on the other hand, it was going to be more vibrant if compared to the conventional European style.
She hugged Amos happily and gave him a kiss on his face before she returned to the laptop and started to work.
Amosâ lips curled up slightly. He put down his coat and went to his study.
The next morning, in the meeting room of Everpeace Group.
Jacqueline was not as enthusiastic as she was yesterday. She smiled smugly and teased, âEudora, have you completed your design?â
Eudoraâs heart sank. âYou know better than I!â
âWhat do you mean?â Playing dumb, Jacqueline said, âWhat does your work have to do with me?â
Eudora didnât want to argue with her and went straight to her seat.
The meeting started as soon as Christopher Gellert arrived.
Every designer presented and explained their idea. As Amos said, most of the designs were inclined to the minimalist style. If she had chosen this theme, it was unlikely that her work would stand out.
Without surprise, Jacqueline presented her design based on the concept of the classic European style.
Eudoraâs body froze while her eyes were fixed on the screen.
She had poured her heart and soul into this project. She never expected that Jacqueline would be so shameless.
Initially, she thought that she stole her draft just to destroy them, or to frame her. Never did she expect that Jacqueline would use her work as her own.
After listening to the whole presentation, Eudora saw nothing else was changed besides the authorâs name.
Their colleagues praised Jacqueline for her work. âThis is unbelievable! I havenât seen such a beautiful design for a long time.â
âJacqueline is definitely going to win this time. How can she be so talented?â Everyone else in the room was astonished.
âAh, take your time to learn!â One of the colleagues teased.
Eudoraâs body trembled as she tried her best to hold in her anger.
Christopher called, âEudora, can you show us your design?â
Acting like a helpful superior, Jacqueline quickly answered, âPresident Gellert, Eudora is still new. I donât think she is ready. I hope itâs okay if you transfer her to my group. I will teach her whatever sheâs lacking.â
Everyone flattered, âJacqueline, thatâs very kind of you.â
âDonât mention it,â Jacqueline replied with a smile.
Eudora sneered, âThatâs not necessary!â
Pretending to not care, Jacqueline said, âEudora, you donât have to do this.â
Without further ado, Eudora connected her laptop to the projector.
Jacqueline trembled a little inside, fearing that Eudora would expose her secret. But on second thought, she was relieved again. She had presented her draft before Eudora. No one was going to believe her!
With her arms crossed, Jacqueline smiled and sat down again.
Eudora began her presentation by introducing her ideas.
âThe concept of my design is the European style.â
âAgain?â Everyone muttered.
âJacqueline, did she do this under your guidance?â One of the colleagues asked.
Eudora interrupted before Jacqueline could answer, âNo! I did this all by myself.â
Her tone was a little harsh but no one said anything.
Christopher said, âOkay, go ahead.â
As mentioned, Eudoraâs design was centered around the European style. Jacquelineâs design was considered classic, but Eudoraâs modern design was both elegant and exhilarating.
Instead of being dull and serious, her design was more lively and young.
The beauty of the classic European style was also carefully included in her design.
Jacquelineâs eyes were fixed on the screen, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared.
âBravo!â Christopher took the lead and cheered, âThatâs perfect.â
Everyone agreed to him that Eudoraâs work was simply excellent.
âEudora, thatâs amazing. Your work is perfect although this is your first time!â The people in the room applauded her good work.
âThatâs right. You have to guide me in the future.â They teased.
Fury roared through Jacquelineâs mind. She stood up and pointed at Eudora, and accused, âGellert, she stole my work!â
Eudora felt a jolt of anger and thought. âWhat a thief! She sure is shameless.â
Christopher asked, âWhich part of it?â
âMiss Zac, whereâs your proof?â Eudora asked.
âThe concept!â Jacqueline gritted her teeth. âShe asked me what style I chose during lunch yesterday. I told her, so she modified it and took it as hers. Everyone else can be my witness. Didnât you guys see me having lunch with her yesterday?â