Anya slid her fingers through her sleep–tousled hair as she stood in the balcony of Ellie’s apartment.


    She tapped lightly on the screen of her phone and called Jake.


    The morning breeze was a cool soothing touch against her skin.


    This should have been a great morning.


    But the conversation that Anya was about to have was going to ruin the beautiful morning that she had


    woken up to.


    The call got through within a few seconds. Jake’s voice sounded in Anya’s ear. The young man


    sounded slightly frantic. “Anya, you didn’t leak the news about Ms. Mars‘ engagement and pictures of


    her bridal gown, did you?”


    From the way the young man had worded his question, it was obvious that he didn’t believe that Anya


    had done it. In fact, his face had been of disbelief and incredulity when he had read the headlines


    stered all over the news.


    News of famous celebrity L Mars‘ engagement leaked! Check out photos of her hundred–and–fifty–


    thousand–dor wedding gown!


    Every news entertainment tform had been publishing articles on L’s engagement since five in the


    morning. Google’s top searches had been monopolized by the topic.


    Jake was an early riser.


    He had called Anya as soon as he had seen the news,


    They had been told repeatedly to keep L’s engagement under wraps. The young woman had


    instructed them to make sure the design of her bridal gown was kept confidential as well.


    JK Couture was a reputable fashion design agency that took its clients‘ privacy very seriously.


    But the original article that had been posted online had clearly stated their source of information. It was


    the designer who had designed L’s wedding gown.


    The article had clearly and firmly pointed to a single informant.


    It was equivalent to announcing to the world that Anya had been the one who had leaked the news.


    Jake didn’t believe the article, of course. He knew that Anya couldn’t have done something like that.


    Yet he wasn’tpletely sure that she wasn’t responsible. Perhaps it had been an idental slip of


    the tongue. Perhaps that had been extenuating circumstances.


    Jake didn’t want to suspect Anya of anything. He liked the young woman a lot. Besides, he had been


    observing the way she worked and conducted her affairs. She didn’t seem like the sort of person who


    was capable of something so hical.


    Besides, she was an incrediblypetent designer. She didn’t have to resort to such unscrupulous


    means to get famous.


    as & M


    The young man had called Anya because he had wanted to be sure.


    “What are you talking about, Jake? I wouldn’t do something like that!” Anya had not read the news. She


    had no idea what was going on. In fact, she was baffled by Jake’s unexpected question.


    “You should take a look at the news. Someone leaked news of L’s engagement. There’re pictures of


    her bridal gown. circting online,” Jake said after taking a long, deep breath. “Anya, I believe you. You


    wouldn’t do something like that.”


    Realization dawned on Anya. Someone was trying to frame her again. A deep crease furrowed her


    brow. She replied steadily and firmly. “Jake… I didn’t do it. I didn’t leak the news or the pictures.”


    It was a designer’s job to protect her client’s privacy. In fact, to not do so would be viting a


    professional code of ethics.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Her instructors had drilled that into her head when she had been in college.


    She wouldn’tmit such a terrible mistake.


    “I know. I trust you.” Jake fell silent for a moment. “But the original article published online stated that


    they got their information from L’s designer. In fact, L’s designer was the one who approached


    them. If L hears of this, she might file awsuit against JK Couture or you.”


    A streak of panic rushed through Anya when she heard that. She couldn’t afford to get into awsuit!


    Besides, she hadn’t done anything wrong. Anya’s voice began to tremble with fear and anxiety. “What


    should I do, Jake? I didn’t do it, I swear!”


    If L filed awsuit against JK Couture and against Anya, Anya’s career would be ruined.


    She would never be a designer again.


    This would be a blemish on her record.


    She wouldn’t be able to get a job as a designer. Nopany would hire her.


    It made sense that she was panicking.


    “Don’t panic. We’ll get to the bottom of this,” Jake said reassuringly. His chest twinged when he heard


    the trembling in Anya’s voice. “Anya, you should get ready for work. I’lle pick you up. This matter


    concerns the reputation of ourpany. I can’t stand by and do nothing. Don’t worry. We’ll deal with


    this together.”


    Anya clutched her phone tightly and nodded. “I know, Jake. I’ll get ready. I’ll be downstairs in a few


    minutes.”


    “Alright. I’m on my way,” Jake said before ending the call.


    The young man grabbed his bag, left his apartment and headed to Anya’s ce.