Chapter 658
That was impossible.
Tammie forced himself to calm down. “Benedict, don’t just jump to conclusions and blame Ann. Think carefully. Is there anything you might have done recently that could have compromised the design?” As her family, his job was to protect her, not join outsiders in accusing her. How could Benedict suspect Ann, but not be willing to consider he himself might be at fault?
“No,” Benedict said, his voice tight with suppressed anger. “You know how I am with my work. I’ve been on my private island this whole time. For three entire months, I haven’t even stepped off the property! And every room in my house has security cameras! I can prove my innocence p>
Then, a thought struck him. “Wait! The cameras! Didn’t I tell you to install a camera in your study? Go check the footage from the last few days. Right now p>
“Don’t miss a single detail!” With camera footage, they could find out who stole the design.
Hearing this, Tammie’s expression fell. “I… I don’t have a camera in my study p>
He used to have one, but it had broken for some reason and he’d never bothered to replace it. After all, he was the only one who ever used the study, so it had seemed redundant. When Ann moved in, he was even less inclined to install one. He felt it would have been an insult to her, a sign of distrust. She was family. He shouldn’t have to suspect her.
“You didn’t install one?” Benedict could no longer contain his fury. He had assumed that, despite Tammie’s initial reluctance, he would eventually install a camera to protect their work. He never imagined his partner could be so stubborn. Was this how Tammie treated their business?
“Tammie! You’re insane! Ann has you completely brainwashed!” Benedict felt a helpless rage, wishing he could reach through the phone and shake him. “What did I tell you? Didn’t I say that you can’t trust anyone? When there’s enough money on the table, people are more terrifying than ghosts p>
“Ann isn’t even your blood relative, but even if she were your own sister, you can’t just let your guard down!” Benedict, for his part, practiced what he preached. He never discussed work with his family. He wouldn’t let anyone-not his sister, not even his own mother-see his important documents. It was a matter of respect for himself and his partners.
“Enough! Benedict! This is all just your speculation! You have no actual proof!” Tammie couldn’t stand hearing him insult Ann like that. “Let’s do this: we’ll both investigate on our own ends for the next few days. If the leak really did come from my side, I’ll give you an explanation p>
“An explanation? What kind of explanation can you give me?” Benedict’s voice was filled with despair. “Don’t you get it? We’re finished! CL is finished!” The public outcry was already snowballing. The damage was immeasurable. How could a simple explanation from Tammie fix any of this?
Tammie massaged his throbbing temples and said through clenched teeth, “If Ann really did steal the design, I will voluntarily give up all my shares in CL Jewels.” He added, “Just give me some time. I will find the real thief.” And clear Ann’s name.
With that, Tammie hung up.
A few minutes later, he went
downstairs, Lindy was preparing Lindy breakfast and Ann s arranging
flowers in a vase. Seeing such a seren@scene, Tammie found it even harder to believe that Ann could be
the culprit. If she had really stolen the design, would she still be here? Of course not. A guilty person would have fled the scene immediately.
So, it couldn’t be Ann. It absolutely couldn’t be.
“Tammie,” Ann said with a smile, noticing him on the stairs. Before he could respond, she continued, her brow furrowing with concern. “Tammie, you look terrible. Is something wrong p>
Tammie forced a smile. “It’s nothing.” He walked down the stairs and looked at the housekeeper. “Lindy, could you come to the study with me for a moment p>
Lindy was surprised. The study? Tammie never allowed her in the study. What was going on?
Once inside, Tammie closed the door. “Lindy, have you been in my study at any point in the last few days p>
Lindy shook her head. “No, sir p>
Besides himself, only Ann and Lindy were in the house. Ann was family. Therefore, Tammie’s prime suspect was Lindy.
Hearing her denial, Tammie narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure p>
“Yes,” Lindy said, looking confused. “Sir, did you lose something? Why are you asking such a strange question p>
Tammie already suspected Lindy, and her question only deepened his conviction. How else would she know he had lost something?
His expression hardened instantly. “Lindy, you’ve worked here ever since I bought this villa. I pay you more than a fair wage! Now tell me the truth! How much did the Banks Group pay you to steal my design drafts p>
Enet
Steal the drafts? The accusation hit Lindy like a physical blow. Her knees felt weak, and her eyes instantly filled with tears. She didn’t know what a design draft” was, but she knew it must be something. incredibly important.
“Sir! I didn’t steal anything! I swear! You told me never to come in the study, and I
haven’t! This is the first time I’ve ever set foot in here p>