Both were deeply engrossed in their work, looking serious and dedicated.


    Suddenly, a hurried knock interrupted the quiet afternoon.


    Kay, Lucinda’s assistant, entered with an anxious expression.


    “Miss Simmons, something bad happened!” Kay blurted out.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    When she pushed the door open and came in, she saw Nathan.


    She suddenly felt embarrassed and stopped talking.


    Lucinda set aside her work and turned her attention to Kay.


    “Go on, Kay.


    There’s no need to hide anything from Nathan.


    He’s not an outsider.


    ”


    Kay hesitated for a moment before continuing, “We’ve been working on a crucial project with a mature marketing n.


    But just as the marketing department was about to officiallyunch it today, they discovered…”


    Lucinda’s face creased with concern.


    “What did they discover?”


    Nathan looked up, curious about the urgency of the situation.


    Kay nced at Nathan before answering, “The subsidiarypany of the Payne Group has released a new project ahead of us, and shockingly, it’s identical to ours.


    Due to this, all the senior executives of the Simmons Group are in an uproar.


    They suspect…”


    Nathan calmly finished her sentence for her.


    “They suspect that I giarized your new project while helping Lucinda?”


    Kay nodded, her silence confirming his assumption.


    A heavy silence filled the room, as both Lucinda and Nathan absorbed the gravity of the situation.


    Lucinda pondered the situation carefully, trying to make sense of the events.


    “Miss Simmons, all the directors have gathered in the meeting room and are demanding an exnation for the loss the Simmons Group has incurred,” Kay informed Lucinda urgently.


    Their meticulously crafted project had been giarized, rendering all their hard work and investments futile.


    This was an immensely challenging problem, and it was up to Lucinda to take charge and provide answers.


    With aposed demeanor, Lucinda replied, “I understand.


    I’ll deal with it and be there at the meeting room in half an hour “Yes, Miss Simmons,” Kay acknowledged before leaving the office.


    In the aftermath of Kay’s departure, the office fell into a heavy silence.


    From a distance, Nathan watched Lucinda intently.


    He felt a pang of hurt as she appeared serious and disregarded him.


    “Lucinda.


    .