Chapter 6 The next morning , the Design Department office got lively . When Latrina walked in , everyone's eyes were on her , and there were quite a few people behind her whispering and pointing . Latrina could instantly guess that the " commotion " was highly related to her . " Trina , the Design Department was robbed last night , " Monique whispered to her . " The competition design drafts that were in the director's office ended up here , on your desk . " Latrina understood instantly . At the end of the year , the Design Department was holding a competition . After finalizing their designs , many colleagues had handed them over to Laurence for safekeeping . If they went missing or got leaked , the designers ' work would be for nothing . They'd have to redo everything and compete again . It would be a waste of time that would only give rivals more room to maneuver . Latrina said nothing , just scanned the room . Latrina Her sharp gaze made everyone stiffen . They hadn't expected her to stay so calm . The Design Department office fell silent , from noisy to so quiet . Latrina let out a faint laugh , still holding her bag and iPad , and noticed a small stack of files on her desk . Pinching the papers between thumb and forefinger as if they disgusted her , she lifted her eyes and glanced at the crowd again . " Your design drafts seem to have ended up on my desk . " She dropped them with a look of disdain . Sure enough , their drafts were neatly laid out on her workstation . Everyone knew they were there , but no one dared fetch them . They all waited for her arrival , ready to confront her . " Latrina ! You didn't have to do this just to get first place ! " " I wondered why you were still working overtime last night . It turned out you were sneaking a look at our designs ! " " These drafts were all confidential . You've already seen ours . Where's the fairness in that ? " They swarmed around , all firing accusations at Latrina . Latrina stayed calm . " If I wanted to copy , I'd just snap a photo and study it at home . Why leave the drafts on my desk ? I could've tossed them in the trash . Then you'd have nothing left ! " How silly would I be to post on Instagram about working overtime ? Shouldn't I have kept it " Who'd be stupid enough to pull a stunt this obvious ? " The crowd fell silent , tongue - tied . a secret ? But many still weren't convinced , especially the veteran designers , who seemed eager to see her crushed . Latrina had no patience for more bickering . She swept all the manuscripts off her desk and onto the nearby printer . She'd always had a mild temper , at least avoiding conflicts until she settled in Crowley Apparel . Lately , though , she couldn't stand being wronged . Something had changed . " What's all this noise so early in the morning ? " Laurence walked in with Gerhart and Kelvin right behind him . The CEO's sudden appearance shut everyone up . Latrina glanced at Laurence , then caught Gerhart's gaze over Laurence's shoulder . She quickly looked away , too flustered to hold his stare . " Nothing serious . Just Ms. Glover borrowed the year - end competition drafts last night and had some complaints , that's all . " 1311 WebNovel Read the comic version of the latest sci - fi series- THREE BODY PROBLEME 27 % Open > < Chapter 6 Someone piped up , and Latrina couldn't tell who . " I didn't , " Latrina said firmly . Menu Just then , she felt Gerhart's gaze fixed on her . There was a coldness in his eyes that made her shrink back , her voice wavering slightly . " Everything needs evidence . I did stay late last night , but that doesn't mean I took the drafts . " Besides , I think your work hardly seems worth referencing . Your designs won't affect my chances of winning the year - end competition . " The Design Department erupted again . " Arrogant ! " some muttered . " Conceited ! " others snapped . " Talking big ! " Gerhart listened , then lowered his lids, a faint smile tugging at his lips . " Just check the security footage , Laurence suggested . " The security guard said they were doing maintenance last night . Cameras weren't accessible , " Monique replied nervously . " He only saw Ms. Glover working in the office , no sign of the drafts . " The second the incident broke , Monique had rushed to check the cameras , hoping to clear her best friend's name . With no resolution in sight , the bickering continued . Latrina fell silent , puzzling over why that stack of drafts had ended up on her desk . " Latrina . " A calm voice cut through the crowd , and everyone instantly quieted . It was Gerhart . " Come with me . " His tone was unchanged , still cold and even . He turned and headed for the elevator . The second he was gone , murmurs erupted . Everyone assumed she was about to get fired . Latrina stood straight , unflinching in the face of the gossip , held her head high , and followed Gerhart . As she stepped into the elevator , the faint sandalwood fragrance clinging to him washed over her , gradually steadying her nerves . When they entered his office , Kelvin stepped out and closed the door behind him . " Sit . Let's have breakfast He nodded at the simple pastries laid out on the table . " Huh ? " She was a bit confused . What did he mean ? She was about to speak when her stomach rumbled loudly , betraying her . Gerhart sat down , handed over the fork to Latrina , who stood frozen . Latrina couldn't fathom this sudden shift , but the food looked too good to resist . She took the fork and sat across from him . Today she wore loose casual pants with a half - high - neck short - sleeve tee . Her messy topknot looked relaxed yet tidy , unintentionally appealing . Gerhart's gaze drifted to her now and then . Latrina ate slowly , so Gerhart slowed his pace too , matching her unhurried rhythm . " Full ? " he asked . " Yeah . Latrina grabbed a tissue to wipe her mouth . Between the Independence Day rush , she hadn't had a proper breakfast in weeks . 13/11 WebNovel Read the comic version 2.7 % Menu < Chapter 6 " Off you go . Get back to work . " He started clearing the table . Latrina hurried to help . Her hand brushed his warm , larger one . She snatched it back , tucking it behind her . " I'll head out then . " " Okay . " He didn't look up . Latrina left , confused . She'd excepted him to question her about the drafts after breakfast , but he said nothing - not a word , no questions at all . She reached the door , paused , then turned to face him . " Mr . Crowley . " " Yes ? " He tossed the takeout container into the trash , brushed a stray crumb from his hands , and met her gaze with clear , steady eyes . " About us . Don't tell anyone . " ... " Which part ? " Which part ? " All of it . " Okay , " he replied , turning toward his desk . Latrina let out a quiet breath , unsure of Gerhart's thoughts . When she was back at her workstation , the office air hung thick with tension . " Want some sandwich ? " Monique pushed the sandwich toward Latrina . " Thanks , but I'm full . " Latrina settled into her chair . " Well , maybe you're too full of rage ! " Monique joked . After 2 while , Kelvin came in and called Laurence upstairs . The murmur of discussion instantly grew louder , with people speculating freely about what would happen next . " Did the domineering Mr. Crowley chew you out ? " Monique whispered . " Nope . " " Then what were you doing up there for over ten minutes ? " " Just talked about this morning's stuff . " Latrina felt a twinge of guilt , quickly steering the conversation away as she dived into her work for the day . WebNovel