Chapter 11
ANNA‘ S POV
Caden was standing at the head of the makeshift stage, looking calm and collected as he addressed the gathered crowd. Jessica hovered at his side with her stupid grin, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her clipboard.
As I entered the room, all eyes turned to me. The place was packed with reporters. and influencers, all eagerly awaiting the big reveal.
As I approached the stage, Caden looked surprised to see me there. “Anna,” he said through gritted teeth, “What are you doing here? We weren’t expecting you to join us but how nice of you.
“Cut the crap, Caden. You know damn well why I’m here. You and Jessica can’t just sweep this under the rug.”
He let out a dark chuckle. “Sweep what
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under the rug? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play dumb with me,” I said with an irritated eye roll. “I have evidence that the product you’re about to launch is mine – You stole it all!”
The crowd started murmuring now, all eyes turning to Caden and Jessica. Nate, for his part, simply stood beside me glaring at them with his hand on the small of my back.
Caden, however, seemed unfazed. “That’s a bold claim, Anna,” he said coolly. “Unfortunately, you’re no longer the VP of this company, so you have no authority here. And without any concrete evidence, your word means nothing.”
I glared at him. “That’s where you’re wrong. I have more than enough evidence to prove that I was the one who developed those formulas, not you. You stole my work and I’m here to make sure you don’t get away with it.”
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Caden’s smile faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
“Evidence? Please. You have nothing. Those formulas are mine, and I can prove it. In fact, I’m prepared to sue you for slander if you try to interfere with this launch.” He gestured to the crowd. “Everyone here is witness to that threat.”
I retrieved my laptop checking through the files I had stored. I wasn’t surprised that all the proof I’d gathered was now mysteriously gone from my laptop. Of course they had it carefully planned but I was ready for them. I wouldn’t be dumb. enough not to have backup.
Flashing a calm smile, I set the laptop aside and pulled out my phone from my bag. “Then how do you explain this?” I
demanded, thrusting the screen towards
Caden.
“What are you-
Nate held up a hand, silencing him. “Just
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watch.”
He helped me project the screen of my phone onto the large display at the front of the room. There, for all to see, were
detailed formulas, sketches, and notes all in my handwriting. The evidence was undeniable.
Caden’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second, but he quickly regained his composure. “Those could be easily faked,” he scoffed. “And even if they weren’t, you have no legal claim to them. This company is mine, and I won’t let you jeopardize the launch of our newest product.”
I turned to the crowd, my voice rising. “This man, Caden Weston stole my work and claimed it as his own. He’s been lying to all of you, and he’s about to launch a product that I created, not him.”
Caden lunged towards me, his eyes wild. “You bitch! How dare you do this to me? I’ll sue you for everything you’ve got!”
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Nate stepped in front of me, shielding me from Caden’s advances. “Not so fast. We’ve already filed a lawsuit against you, and we have the evidence to back it up. You’re the one who’s going to be losing everything.”
Jessica hurried to the microphone, her voice shaking. “Everyone, please, let’s all just calm down. I’m sure we can resolve this in a professional manner.”
But the damage was done.
Without another word, I turned and made my way to the elevators majestically. I was resigning and going to clear out my desk, never to step my feet in this place again.
But when the doors opened onto my old floor, Caden had caught up with me, his face twisted in anger.
“Anna, what the hell are you doing?” he demanded, blocking my path.
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m resigning. I can’t be a part of this company anymore, not after what you’ve done.”
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“But you can’t do this!” he cried, his voice bordering on hysteria. “If you go through with this lawsuit, I could lose quite a significant amount. You are already doing so much. Please, Anna, you have to drop
it.”
I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. After everything, he’d put me through, he had the audacity to beg for my mercy? “Drop it?” I echoed, looking at him all over. “Why should I? You betrayed me, stole my work, and then had the nerve to bring your mistress into our home. Why should I give you a single thing after that?”
“Anna, please,” he whispered. “I’m begging you. I’ll do anything.”
I opened my mouth to retort, but at that moment, the elevator doors slid open, and Nate walked in with his hands snug into his pockets. Beside him was a well–dressed man, whom I assumed was his lawyer.
“Anna, don’t listen to him,” Nate said, his voice low. “He’s just trying to manipulate
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you. He deserves everything he’s got coming to him.”
Caden’s head snapped towards Nate. “What the hell do you want now?”
Nate simply shrugged. “My lawyer and I have drawn up the divorce papers. All you have to do is sign them, and this whole mess will be over.”
Caden glanced back at me looking at me slight irritation and disbelief. “Divorce papers? Anna, you can’t be serious.”
I took a deep breath and faced him
squarely. “I am serious, Caden. I’m done. with your ass. The only way I’ll drop the lawsuit is if you sign those divorce papers right now. So pick your poison.”
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