Chapter 16

"Thief?" Sophia Blanchet sneered, her red lips curling in mockery. "Miss Langley, how ironic to hear that from the real culprit. If my boss wanted your pathetic little secrets, she wouldn't need to steal them."

Isabella Langley stared at Sophia's striking face, her nails digging into her palms. This woman was even more beautiful than her.

"Who do you think you are?" Isabella's voice tightened.

Sophia laughed, the sharp tilt of her eyes like a blade. "Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that if you dare slander my boss, I’ll make you kneel and apologize."

Isabella's face darkened. Since aligning herself with Adrian Valentine, no one had dared speak to her like this.

Adrian was now the undisputed power in Vienna. In just a few years, he had dominated both the legitimate and underground worlds. His name alone struck fear into hearts.

"Evelyn," Isabella forced down her rage, casting a disdainful glance at Evelyn Roland. "Don’t tell me you’ve picked up some lowlife as your boss now. Typical of a country bumpkin."

Sophia and Evelyn had indeed grown up in an orphanage. But they knew better than anyone—true class wasn’t about birthright.

"Frog in a well," Sophia scoffed.

"Enough." Adrian's deep voice cut through the tension.

His gaze, sharp as a blade, locked onto Evelyn, who had remained silent. "The surveillance shows Melanie handed you files containing our new product details. The evidence is clear. Still denying it?"

Betrayal was one thing. But stealing company secrets? Did she really think so little of him?

Evelyn finally looked up, meeting his disgusted stare. Her heart clenched as if gripped by an invisible hand. "So, you’ve already decided it’s me?"

"Not decided. It’s fact." His tone was ice. "This is theft."

Every word was a poisoned arrow, piercing her anew. Why did it still hurt so much? Why couldn’t she just grow numb?

"Bullshit!" Sophia exploded. "All that pretty packaging and still full of trash! Theft? Really?"

She had protected Evelyn since they were kids. No one got to humiliate her like this.

Isabella shot Melanie a subtle glance.

Melanie stepped forward. "Director Roland, here’s our chat history. You instructed me to steal the files. There’s even the million-dollar transfer in my account. I’ve worked at Valentine Corp for two years—my conscience couldn’t take it anymore. That’s why I confessed to Mr. Valentine."

The air froze.

An invisible pressure radiated from Evelyn.

"Gratitude?" Evelyn chuckled. "My phone’s been off for a month. How did I instruct you? And how do you know that million came from me?"

"It was you!" Melanie retorted boldly. "You were fired and wanted revenge!"

Evelyn glanced at Sophia.

Understanding, Sophia pulled out her phone. "Melanie, here’s footage of you stealing the files. But you didn’t give them to Evelyn—you sold them to Hales. Couldn’t even trace that, Mr. Valentine?"

The video played clearly for all to see—Melanie exchanging documents with a foreigner.

Melanie paled.

Adrian’s eyes darkened. The footage was undeniable.

Isabella’s pulse jumped. "This is obviously fake! How desperate are you to clear your name, Miss Roland?"

"Get your eyes checked." Sophia gave her a mocking once-over. "If your brain’s defective, stay home. You think you could fake something like this?"

Isabella trembled with rage. She’d never met anyone so vulgar.

"You—you’re utterly uncivilized!" Her face flushed crimson, but she dared not swear in front of Adrian.