Chapter 26 Who Would Believe A Deaf Women’s Words?
Max and Jacob had been college classmates for four years.
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When Sphere Corporation was first founded, Jacob invested 16 million as a shareholder, acquiring 40% of the company’s shares.
They weren’t just classmates–they were close friends who deeply trusted each other.
Which was why it was hard for Max to hide even a single expression or subtle action from Jacob.
If he didn’t have feelings for her, then what was that look in his eyes, full of concern?
“Jacob, do you have too much free time lately? Why would you even think that?” Max let out a cold chuckle.
Me, falling for Juliette? What a joke.
My life was far too full of responsibilities. How could I possibly be entangled in something as trivial as love?
“If you weren’t into her, then why did you parachute her into S Lab? You know how critical the data in there is.”
“She graduated top of her class in clinical medicine from Newton University. Letting her join S Lab brings fresh energy to the team. That could actually be beneficial for our current research,” Max explained, calm and collected.
“What about yesterday then? Why did you help her glue the documents back together? Don’t tell me you had nothing better to do. Isn’t Sphere Corporation enough to keep you busy?”
Max paused for a second, then quickly regained his composure. “She and I are the same kind of people–abandoned by our families. Just like how you pulled me out when I was stuck in the mud, I want to give her a hand. That’s all.”
“Tch.” Jacob licked his lower lip. “Fine. Aside from your bones and that part, your hardest thing must be your mouth.”
“Stop talking nonsense.” Max frowned.
“Let’s just wait and see. I’m betting you’ll fall head over heels in less than six months!” Jacob threw out the challenge and walked away with a smug look.
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Chapter 26 Who Would Believe A Deaf Women’s Words?
“Ridiculous,” Max said with disdain.
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Caleb, who was standing to the side, nodded. It was ridiculous. Did it really take six months? Definitely no, I was betting on three tops.
“Caleb.”
“Yes, Mr. Donovan.” Caleb stepped forward.
“What about the investigation I asked you to do yesterday? Anything suspicious?”
Max always trusted Caleb to get things done properly.
“Yes, sir. There is indeed something strange. Yesterday, an employee named Lauren handed Mr. Samuel’s only manuscript to Ms. Monroe. Lauren claimed she asked Juliette to make a copy, but Juliette misunderstood and thought she meant to shred it, which led to everything that followed. I reviewed the security footage. It seems to match her account. Then, I consulted a lip–reading expert in Newton. Based on their reading, Lauren repeatedly said ‘shred–only then did Juliette act. Lauren and Juliette don’t appear to have any conflict, but Lauren has a cousin–Celine, the same woman who insulted Ms. Monroe at that recent banquet and got kicked out by me.”
With that explanation, everything became clear.
Celine didn’t want to get her own hands dirty, so she used her cousin as a pawn.
“Go to the 13th floor and handle it.”
“Yes, sir.” Caleb nodded.
Outside S Lab’s office, a crowd had gathered around Juliette.
“Even if you glued the documents back together, this nearly caused a serious problem. You can’t just get away with it.”
“Yeah, we had to work overtime all night because of you. It was exhausting.”
“If your hearing’s not good, why don’t you just stay home? Coming here only brings trouble. What are you really up to?”
Each word of accusation fell harshly on Juliette’s ears.
“Lauren, don’t you have anything to say to me?” Juliette looked at Lauren.
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Chapter 26 Who Would Believe A Deaf Women’s Words?
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I had gone over it in my mind countless times. My hearing wasn’t perfect, sure. But copy and shred? Those were two completely different words–there was no way I could’ve confused them.
There was only one explanation, Lauren said the wrong thing.
I hadn’t pointed this out right away because, in that moment, solving the issue was more important than passing blame.
But that didn’t mean I would take responsibility for a mistake that wasn’t hers.
Lauren flinched at being called out. “What’s wrong with you? You made a mistake, and now you want to pin it on me?”
“I’m certain you told me to shred it.” Juliette said, certainly.
“Everyone here, who would you believe? A long–time employee like me or some deaf woman?” Lauren sneered.
“I’m not deaf!” Juliette’s emotions surged.
“Alright, no one’s asking you to pay for the damage, so be smart and get out of here.” Another male colleague, always close with Lauren, chimed in.
“I believe Ms. Monroe.” A calm voice rang out from outside the office.
Everyone turned toward the door.
It was Caleb–Mr. Donovan’s right–hand man–alongside Samuel.
Samuel looked furious, his piercing gaze locked straight on Lauren.
Though he hadn’t said a word yet, Lauren felt like she’d plunged into an ice bath.
“Lauren, you’re fired,” Samuel said with a steely tone.
The office fell into stunned silence.
“Mr. Samuel, you must be mistaken. Lauren’s a victim in this too. The person who should be fired is Juliette!”
“What kind of backing does she have anyway? How can a deaf woman hold so much power?” Several people began grumbling angrily.
“Mr. Samuel…” Lauren looked like she was on the verge of tears as she turned to Samuel,
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Chapter 26 Who Would Believe A Deaf Women’s Words?
pleading for mercy.
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I had access to some of S Lab’s research data. Once I was out, I wouldn’t be able to work in any similar
labs again.
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That would mean the end of my future.
Even Juliette hadn’t expected things to escalate like this.
“Do I need to say it, or will you confess yourself? What really happened here?” Samuel gave Lauren a final chance.
“Mr. Samuel, maybe you misunderstood. I admit I shouldn’t have handed such an important document to Juliette, but how could I have known she didn’t even know how to make a copy?” Lauren said in nervous.
“I can’t believe you’re still denying it. At first, I thought it was Juliette’s fault too. But once Mr. Caleb came to me, I realized it was all you who were doing it!” Samuel shouted at her.
“Mr. Caleb brought in a lip–reading expert. It’s crystal clear–you told Juliette to shred the document. She even asked again to confirm, and you still said ‘shred‘-no hesitation at all. Don’t tell me you didn’t know how important that document was. You did this on purpose. You wanted to ruin everyone’s hard work! Someone like you doesn’t belong in S Lab. Leave now!” Samuel excogitated.
Lauren’s knees gave out, and she collapsed into a chair.
“Mr. Samuel, maybe Lauren just misspoke in the moment. Firing someone so talented over this might be a bit extreme,” said Farren, Samuel’s young apprentice, trying to mediate.
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