Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 357 - 356 Using her as a target, this person must not stay (2 more updates)

Chapter 357: 356 Using her as a target, this person must not stay (2 more updates)

Finn Hale didn’t speak, but it was William Hale who took the initiative, "Assistant Robinson, are you certain about this?"

"Uncertain matters, I wouldn’t bring them up." Finn Robinson, having followed Finn Hale for nearly ten years, was still very cautious, "I know that you gave her the task of designing your bridal chamber with Mrs. Hale, but she, in fact..."

"She used to be an intern assistant in our studio."

"Mr. Hale, you brought her in. I didn’t expect she would do something like this."

Finn Hale’s face revealed not a hint of emotional fluctuation.

Finn Robinson handed over the information he had found to Finn Hale.

He didn’t take it, but William Hale did and glanced at it a few times.

There were comparative graphs of the works.

As a layman, he couldn’t see too many similarities.

However, some of the composition and positions were specifically circled in red, and these did bear some resemblance.

And on the plagiarized image, the first author signed:

Was precisely Sussie Lopez.

He passed the information to his uncle, Finn Hale, who looked it over.

Finn Robinson continued, "Sussie Lopez is one of the hottest designers in the industry at the moment, with many eyes on her. As soon as this design draft was published, when I noticed similarities, I thought to apply for a design patent for your work first. But by the time I inquired, it was already too late."

"And there’s one drawing here that is strikingly similar to your style."

"I’m responsible for this. I should have applied for the patent sooner and not given anyone a chance to exploit this oversight."

"Sussie Lopez has been coming and going here frequently; it’s feared that during those opportunities, she inadvertently stole your design."

"It’s despicable!"

"Rest assured, this matter will not just be left as is; plagiarists must be nailed to the pillar of shame."

"Even if this issue can’t conclusively be pinned down, she won’t be able to mix in this industry any longer."

...

Finn Robinson was indignant, nearly beside himself with anger.

"That’s enough, you don’t need to worry about this matter," Finn Hale said coldly.

"Mr. Hale, I know you appreciated her greatly back then, but so many years have passed, people change, especially with plagiarism, you can’t be lenient or soft-hearted."

"I’ve got it under control."

"For her to still want to attend the Purple Gold Cup, she truly has no shame."

Finn Robinson gritted his teeth, "Probably because she’s been in the limelight recently, she’s eager to produce better works to prove herself, but that’s no excuse for backstabbing you."

Seeing Finn Hale’s grim expression, he held his tongue.

"You may go back."

Finn Robinson seemed as if he wanted to say more but eventually left first.

William Hale looked towards his uncle, "What’s going on here?"

"Not sure."

"Miss Lopez has been recuperating at the Payne family residence lately; she shouldn’t have had the time to draw and publish these."

However, very few people could access uncle’s design drawings.

This matter...

Was somewhat intriguing.

After pondering, William Hale chuckled lowly, "The person behind this must know of the special relationship between you and Miss Lopez, and it must be someone from her studio who has had access to her designs recently."

Designers are typically very protective of their drafts. It’s only because Sussie Lopez was injured recently that a black-hearted person could take advantage of it.

"And moreover, this person is in a rush to make a name for themselves."

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have risked it.

Plagiarism, in any industry, is met with universal condemnation.

Narrowing the scope would make it easy to pinpoint a target.

William Hale tapped his fingers lightly on his knee, "But this person is malicious and close to Miss Lopez."

"Uncle, this person..."

"Cannot be kept."

Finn Hale nodded in agreement.

It wasn’t that William Hale was speaking alarmist words, but this person should be clear that the uncle wouldn’t easily trouble Sussie Lopez; he could only suffer in silence. If he pursued the matter, the one bearing the brunt would be Miss Lopez.

If he just wanted to be famous, he could have plagiarized on his own; pushing a young lady to the forefront was a way of testing the waters.

Because once trouble arose, Sussie Lopez would be the shield.

Considering the current relationship between the Payne family and the Hale family, even if Finn Hale wanted to take action against Sussie Lopez, he’d have to weigh the consequences with Junior President Payne.

Moreover, if Sussie Lopez hadn’t plagiarized, Tim Payne would definitely stand up for his junior sister...

Once this matter blew up, it would be a lose-lose situation.

While he stirred the waters, he indeed might’ve taken the chance to escape punishment.

So, this person, his heart must be punished!

Finn Hale also thought of this, frowning tightly, and glanced at William Hale, "Are Zac Cruz and Kyle Lowe busy lately?"

"End of the year, busy."

"Lend them to me."

William Hale raised an eyebrow.

This matter could just be handled by Assistant Robinson, no need for his men.

Does his uncle not trust Finn Robinson?

William Hale found the matter increasingly interesting; for the first time, he experienced the indescribable joy of watching the drama unfold as an outsider.

Zac Cruz was called over and heard his boss say, "You’ll be working with Uncle recently."

Zac Cruz was dumbfounded, "Sir, you don’t want me anymore?"

"I’ve been diligent and loyal for so many years, haven’t caused any trouble, no merit but still hard work, please don’t give me away."

William Hale: "I won’t fire you, your position and salary at the company remain the same, and Uncle will also give you an additional salary."

"Then I’ll do it."

"..."

——

After William Hale finished this matter, he had planned to go to the Incense Making Room to find Zoe Payne but was informed by phone that she was in the front hall meeting with the designer taking over for Sussie Lopez.

The design plans for the bridal chamber had already been drawn up, and construction was underway.

"... Here I have made some changes for you, you can have a hidden cabinet safe, convenient for you and Mr. Hale to keep valuable items."

"Sounds good, change it as you suggested." Zoe Payne was very easy to talk to, and from the corner of her eye, she saw William Hale and stood up to introduce them, "This is Mr. Saunders."

It was William Hale’s first time meeting him.

"Mr. Hale, hello, I am Declan Saunders, the designer taking over Sussie Lopez’s work."

"Hello."

William Hale subtly scrutinized him; his gaze was light, but the sense of scrutiny and pressure made his scalp tingle.

"Miss Lopez’s following work, will you be taking responsibility for all of it?" William Hale asked casually.

"Just a part."

Declan Saunders subconsciously clenched his hands, nervous sweat cooling his palms.

"Then you’ll have your work cut out for you."

"It’s part of the job, not too hard."

"You do interior design as well?"

"Mainly architectural design."

"Then you are in the same field as my uncle." William Hale’s tone was gentle and elegant, "You seem young, you’ll certainly achieve great things in the future."

"Mr. Hale flatters me."

It was Declan Saunders’s first encounter with William Hale, unacquainted with him.

Zoe Payne, however, took a sip of her tea; he...

Was acting out of the ordinary.

"Did you call me for a reason?" she asked.

"They say there is an architectural design competition in two days, Junior President Payne will be attending, do you want to come and watch the excitement?"

"It’s almost New Year’s; the store is running promotions, I’ve been swamped, might not have time." Besides, Zoe Payne wasn’t familiar with architectural design and really had no interest.

Declan Saunders bowed his head slightly, uneasy.

However, William Hale suddenly turned around, "Mr. Saunders, will you be attending?"

Declan Saunders’s heart skipped a beat, "I’m one of the contestants."

"Then I wish you a favorable result."

"I hope for your fortunate words."

Perhaps because of William Hale’s imposing presence, Declan Saunders didn’t stay at the Hale residence for long, he left hastily, and Zoe Payne then rested her chin in her palm, seriously sizing up her husband, "You talked a lot today."

William Hale usually didn’t bother with strangers.

"Is there an issue with Mr. Saunders?"

"It’s hard to say," William Hale deliberately played coy.

Everything had to wait for the investigation results.

"Luckily Uncle didn’t come out of the study room, Mr. Saunders also liked Miss Lopez, I encountered him last time in the hospital ward, if Uncle had seen him again, probably would’ve had a sour face."

William Hale raised an eyebrow:

It was actually him.

It seems there will indeed be excitement to watch at the competition in two days.