Her Fake Lover

Chapter 55

Still at Karfis & Vin office. Emmeline was in her room when her cell phone suddenly rang. Emmeline checked it, and was surprised to find William Francois suddenly calling her. Emmeline immediately picked up the call, and found that the man was worried about her.

William asked about Emmeline and about the company. Emmy suddenly felt her heart beat faster and asked the reason behind William's sudden concern.

"Have you seen the news in Foxxtar magazine? They said something about Karfis & Vin. Have you read it?"

"Not yet, Mr. William. What do they say?" Emmeline felt her heart beat faster even though she wasn't sure what the news was. Foxxtar was the political, business and economic news magazine where Darren worked.

"Ah. Dear, it is said that there is chaos in your company. One of your employees revealed that many of your employees and you yourself have had a bad work ethic. He also talked about management that does not take sides with the interests of employees. You are also called dangerous because you plan to duplicate designs jewelry that has been patented by Silas HA. The identity of the source in this case is kept secret."

"What?" Emmeline widened her eyes in surprise. "How is that possible?"

"That's how it was written, Dear. Try reading it for yourself if you don't believe me."

"Oh, my God," Emmeline sighed.

"Emmeline, are you all right?" William asked. "W-what's really going on in the company? Smoke is coming out because there's fire, Emmy. Could it be that ... there's a conflict going on there?"

Emmeline was confused at that time. She held her breath for a moment then let it out with anger churning in her chest. One problem had not been solved, the next problem had appeared. Emmy was immediately busy thinking about who might have said that to the media. Then Emmy also thought how ... that person could suddenly connect with Foxxtar? Foxxtar where Darren worked? Where Emmy knew Darren held an important position there. It was just a coincidence, or ....

"Emmeline? Are you still there?" William asked.

"Ah, y-yes, Mr. William. I—I don't know how to explain all this to you. There has been a problem at the company. We're trying to sort it out. But everything that's been reported, it's not true. That's a heinous accusation."

"I know, Dear. I know," William said. "I'm sorry about all this. You have to run into unpleasant trouble. I still remember yesterday there was a slanted news about your fashion show, and now you've got something bigger. This is worse. I could still say yesterday's news was nothing, but this time, for this news, Dear, I'm not going to lie. Upheaval can happen. But you should know, I will still support you. You better focus on whatever problem is happening within your company right now. Tomorrow when you feel better, when you can speak to the media, The Bryxtoner is ready to be a place for you to speak up. I hope your problem is resolved soon."

"Thank you, Mr. William." Emmeline hung up the phone. She rubbed her forehead and ruffled her own hair frantically. Hurriedly, she got up from her chair, still in a frenzy of emotion.

Outside, she crossed paths with Chloe Levine.

"Miss Karfis, where are you going?"

"I'm going out for a bit. You take care of the work at the office," Emmeline said straightforwardly, in the middle of her firm steps. Chloe, was only able to look at her with an incomprehensible look, with a worried expression too, seeing the seriousness on Emmeline's face.

A few moments passed. Emmeline, who chose to drive herself, stopped her car in front of a house. The house of one of her employees which she is temporarily laying off. Emmeline didn't even know if Justin Ford was at his house. Emmeline didn't contact him first. The anger and confusion that Emmeline felt had led her just like that to the house.

Luckily for Emmeline, because she found out, it was Justin who opened the door for her.

Justin immediately looked pale, as soon as he saw Emmeline in front of his door.

"Miss Karfis?"

"I want to talk," Emmeline said matter-of-factly.

"Er—of course, Miss. Please come in."

Emmeline slammed a magazine on the table as soon as she sat down in the living room.

"I bought this magazine on my way here. Read it!"

Justin took the magazine with trembling hands.

"There's a story about Karfis & Vin in the headlines. You read it right there."

Justin obeyed Emmeline's orders with a pale face.

He was sweating more profusely as he finished reading the news. He lowered the magazine from before him and gave Emmeline a pale look.

"You must have guessed why I came here," said Emmy.

"You think I told them all this, Miss?"

"Your e-mail from Silas that I read this morning also says you told them I was going to duplicate. Is it enough for me to just listen to your words, or should I consider all the evidence before me?" Emmeline started to look emotional again. "It's a painful betrayal, Justin. Even if I punish all of you, this bad news is already out there. And the bad spotlight repeated over and over again, will bring down our image, and the repercussions will not be good."

"I didn't do any of that, Miss! Believe me! How am I supposed to prove to you that I'm innocent? I was put in the position of being so mean to you. I couldn't have done any of that!" Justin dodged. "Think about it, Miss. Inside the company, everyone curses me, then outside I act like that? Am I insane? I'm just waiting for the time when you're going to put me in jail, right?"

Emmeline turned to Justin with a defiant look.

"You're not interested in running?"

Justin looked at Emmeline without hesitation. "No, Miss Karfis. If I run, it will prove that I am guilty. While the fact is, I am innocent. I also still have faith in you, that you will not be easily fooled. We better find out now, who has conveyed all this nonsense on Foxxtar."

Emmeline was silent. She looked at Justin mysteriously. Meanwhile, Justin looked at her with hopeful eyes.

What Emmeline would say was still a mystery to Justin, even after a while. Emmeline still hadn't said anything.

***