Chapter Twenty Nine
Damien’s POV
“Mr. Kent’s company has been producing imitations of Rosemary’s designs.”
I was momentarily frozen as Ryan dropped a massive bombshell and ran away, leaving me to deal with the fallout.
“Is your company plagiarizing other designers‘ work, Mr. Kent?” Maximilian asked, his grave tone ripe with
accusation.
Panic and rage flooded my veins.
“That’s a baseless rumor, Mr. Edwards.” I responded with a straight face. “My designers work tirelessly to produce original pieces.”
I swallowed–it was an unavoidable lie.
Maximilian studied me with an intensity that made my pulse stutter.
“Then you have nothing to hide.” He said coolly. “I will present this serious allegation to the International Jewelry Association for thorough investigation.”
He turned to leave.
My mind flashed back to our design department, the walls and tables covered in other designers‘ work–especially Rosemary’s. It was my most recent attempt at boosting sales.
I couldn’t let this investigation happen.
“Wait, Mr. Edwards.” I said in a reasonable tone. “There’s no need to act rashly. We can resolve this now.”
His assistant narrowed his eyes. “Mr. Edwards is a busy man.”
“It’ll only take a moment.” I smiled amiably.
If the association investigated my company, they would find evidence of plagiarism, and I’d lose everything. Lucky for me, I always came prepared.
“Miss Wilson,” I called over my shoulder. “Bring me our company’s latest design drafts and the folder of Rosemary’s work.”
She pulled the designs from my briefcase and presented them to Maximilian.
“I prepared these materials to restore my company’s reputation.” I said, as his assistant inspected them closely. These rumors of plagiarism are just weak attacks from my company’s jealous rivals.”
The story sounded plausible, but would they buy it?
“If you pay attention to the details, you will see that our works are rather different.”
I pointed to the sections of the drafts that my designers had tweaked. The work was similar, but not close enough to get me into legal trouble–as long as the questions stopped here.
“They are… different.” Mr. Davis concluded.
I smiled as relief washed over me.
“See, Mr. Edwards? There’s no need to report this to the association.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter Twenty Nine
Maximilian didn’t seem convinced.
“The jewelry industry will devolve into a soulless shell if companies like yours focus on imitating rather than innovating.” He gave me a long, cold look. “I hope to see more original designs from you in the future, Mr. Kent.”
With that, he left, his entourage in tow.
I scowled at Maximilian’s back.
This was that bigmouthed asshole’s fault. I was supposed to make a business connection with Crown Luxe Jewelry Group, but Ryan put me on the jewelry association’s watchlist instead.
He was a walking dead man.
“Miss Wilson, where is Ryan now?“. I asked with barely concealed fury.
She grimaced, and I knew it was bad news.
“He’s already left the building, sir.”
First Rosemary pulled a disappearing act and now Ryan.
Why was nothing going my way?
Vanessa leaned against me and rubbed my arm soothingly.
“Don’t worry about it, babe.” She spoke softly. “Ryan finally took the hint and left, so let’s enjoy ourselves.”
I shook her off me.
“Rosemary’s gone and I’m getting a migraine.” I said sternly. “We’re leaving.”
“But babe, you said you’d buy us jewelry.” She whined.
Bonnie grabbed my leg. “Please buy me earrings, Daddy.”
The both of them stared at me with pleading eyes.
I groaned. “Fine, but let’s make it quick.”
They giggled and raced towards the exhibition area, fawning over the displays. I followed despondently as they tried on different pieces and admired their reflections.
“I’m going to look for Rosemary’s exhibit.” I told Vanessa, taking a credit card from my wallet. “Pay for the jewelry with my card. Only one piece each, understand?”
She nodded and eagerly snapped it from my hand.
“Thanks, babe.”
Rosemary’s exhibit was crowded. I pushed through the captivated viewers to take a closer look. Many of her displays were now empty, while my company had only made a couple of sales today.
I gritted my teeth.
This elusive designer was quickly becoming a problem.
flipped through an exhibition catalog until I found her artist’s bio. There was no name. I scoured the sparse information until something piqued my interest.
Rosemary was an alumnus from the same college as Celeste They even graduated in the same year. They shared
+25 BONUS
Chapter Twenty Nine
eerily similar backgrounds–same middle class upbringing from the same suburban town.
Was Celeste-
I scoffed, tossing the catalogue aside.
“Come on, Damien, you’re grasping at straws.” I muttered distastefully. “Celeste is a useless housewife. She could never be a successful designer like Rosemary,”
I shook the ridiculous idea from my head and left to find Vanessa and Bonnie, my mind working at double time. Whoever Rosemary was, I’d find her and make her sign with my company.
No one made the mistake of rejecting Damien Kent twice.
T
Chapter Thirty
