Chapter 117. A simple answer
Jackson Johnson
Johnson Enterprises
"He justified himself," Richard said, and I could see the annoyance in his eyes. I leaned back in my swivel chair while he sat in the chair across from my desk.
"So he has an alibi," I muttered under my breath.
"There has to be something. I've been investigating for two days, but I can't find anything. Everything still points to Miss Bradley."
"Then I'll proceed with the plan today."
"Are you sure?" he asked, puzzled.
"Yes, I have to move quickly before things get worse. My mother will be involved, but my father and Jacob won't know."
"Alright, will you go with the photographers?"
"It'll be more convincing. Besides, the excitement will go to her head, and she'll forget to question if it's real."
"And Miss Bradley?" he asked. I just sighed, stood up, and walked to the window. I put my hands in the pockets of my dress pants and looked in Richard's direction.
"For now, she'll think I'm the worst person in the world, but it's necessary to clear her name. The media has already reported that she's the one who embezzled from Johnson Enterprises. That information came from here, and it must be the same person who tipped off the media on the first day." I turned my gaze to the view from this floor. "And when I have the names and proof of who did it, I'll expose them worldwide. I'll make sure justice is served for what they've done."
"So, do you want me to do what you asked?" I returned to my chair.
"Yes, I want to stay updated on everything she does and who she talks to. Keep the surveillance as discreet as possible, please."
"Yes, sir." He stood up and paused before walking to the door. "Before coming in, I was informed that Mr. Paige has requested another person to replace Miss Bradley." I raised my eyebrows.
"And who authorized hiring another replacement?"
"That's what the head of personnel told me."
"Fine, I'll handle it myself." Richard left, and I checked my phone again. Over the past two days, in my drunken state, I had sent many messages to Lilly, made over sixty calls, but she hadn't responded, read, or even opened any of them. I swiped to open the gallery and got lost again in the photos I had taken of her without her noticing. For now, it was the only thing that calmed me and gave me the strength to keep going.
I walked to the office Paige occupied, knocked on the glass door with my knuckles, and when he looked up, I noticed surprise and...nervousness. He stood up as I opened the door to enter.
"Am I interrupting?" He quickly shook his head.
"Come in, come in, have a seat," he said, adjusting the knot of his tie with his fingers. I sat in the chair and crossed one leg over the other, watching him sit back down.
"Why did you ask personnel to hire a replacement for Miss Bradley?" He blinked several times.
"I need another administrator, Mr. Johnson."
"But you ask for my authorization first. I'm the owner of this company, remember?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson, I didn't mean to disrespect you."
"Fine, there won't be another administrator. For now, divide the previous administrator's tasks among the rest of the team."
"The news said she was the one who embezzled. Have you taken action to recover what she took? Can you imagine if the press finds out you haven't addressed it? It will tarnish your image. Besides, shouldn't she go to jail for what she did?" His tone had turned to one of agitation.
"The way I solve my company's problems is my business. Are you so concerned about what hasn't been done?"
"No, no, I just want justice for your company. They don't deserve to be taken advantage of. I understand she was your girlfriend and..."
"Stop." I said with a tone filled with coldness. "I don't allow this kind of familiarity. You're crossing a line that could cost you your job." He widened his eyes, panicked, and I could see his tension as his fingers clumsily tried to adjust the tie knot.
"I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention—" I raised a hand in the air to signal him to be quiet. "I won't say anything more."
"And you won't. Remember that before signing the contract, you must sign a confidentiality agreement. Very private information was leaked to the media. That person informed about the embezzlement and also named the culprit yesterday." I noticed his nervousness as he briefly looked away. "I follow all the clauses. You should remind the entire administrative team of that." He frowned, and I stood up. When I opened the door, I turned back to him. "Any questions?"
"Why don't you remind the rest of the floors in this company, Mr. Johnson?"
"The answer is simple, Mr. Paige: because the person who leaked that information...is from this floor."