Chapter 159
Jonathan’s POV
Harmon Designs – Managing Director’s office – The next day
I was reviewing a file at the reception, and Adrian walked in.
Even though he smiled and wished normally, I could see the difference in everyone’s behavior.
I saw conversations stopped as Adrian walked past.
Anyone holding a file, closed it abruptly.
Some avoided making eye contact with him.
I realized the anonymous email did more damage than I expected.
Although no one was accusing him to his face.
But the fact he was Imelda’s son and Fredrick’s grandson,
It had its effects.
This made the doubt more affirmative.
I knew if his trust was lost it wouldn’t be easy for him to re-build it.
Just then a staff member came over.
“Mr. Rollings,” he only spoke after Adrian closed his office’s door.
“The senior board members request your meet p>
“Mrs. Rollings is over at Rollings Arts, or else I would have had to call her as well p>
As I entered and asked why such a private meeting was requested.
One elder member even dared to question if allowing Adrian to continue working here was a good choice, and shouldn’t he be suspended until the investigation is complete.
Another one suggested taking his access rights away.
Whether it was because of me, or not p>
No one was directly accusing him,
But I knew they wanted to.
I quietly listened without interrupting them.
I knew they were sincerely concerned, but concern alone isn’t proof enough.
If they don’t trust Adrian, I also have my reasons to not trust them.
I exhaled calmly.
“Everyone should know based on an anonymous email, we can’t and will not deprive Adrian of his access rights nor suspend him p>
“So far we haven’t received any report, any unauthorized security log in or anything to believe that email p>
“I refuse to punish him based on the fact his biological mother is Imelda, and his biological grandfather is Fredrick p>
“If we at Harmon Designs abandon being fair p>
“Then we lose something far more valuable than any of our most expensive jewelry p>
“We’ll be choosing pressure over principle p>
Silence fell in the room.
Just then Veronica also arrived.
“I also agree with Jonathan p>
“By now you all must know, I and Jonathan don’t involve personal life with business p>
“As the president, I am confirming Adrian will continue as the managing trainee and will maintain full access rights p>
“Remind you all p>
“Every employee, including I, deserve to be judged by our actions p>
“Not assumptions made through an anonymous email p>
Most agreed with us, a few remained indifferent.
I knew even so they were leading the company with the same values.
That’s what matters.
As I returned to my office, I called for Adria.
I could tell from his face, he already knew about the rumors.
“I’m sorry for the mess I brought in,” he quietly apologized as he sat.
“Adrian,” I said in a frank voice.
“Instead of saying sorry p>
“You should say, uncle, I’ll find the way out of this p>
“We both know this isn’t your fault p>
“Don’t apologize for what you didn’t do p>
“Adrian, I refuse for you to build a wall of guilt around you p>
Adrian lowered his head,
Finally spoke.
“Uncle, I understand and have to anger towards them for doubting me p>
“I can’t change the fact she’s my mother or he’s my grandfather p>
Then he looked into my eyes with determination.
“I won’t betray the trust that you and dad have in me p>
“I’ll definitely not betray the trust you put in choosing me p>
I got up and walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder.
“Adrian,” I said, smiling. “With us, loyalty is stronger than blood, and I trust you p>
I smiled proudly as he left for his work.
I reflected on my relationship with Adrian.
For seven years I believed Adrian was my son.
I taught him, protected him, watched him grow.
Then I found out he wasn’t my son.
Then I found out he was Daniel’s biological son.
But the memories I shared with him were still there.
This truth cannot disappear simply because the present is different.
I knew my decision.
Over the next few days, Adrian continued to work normally even as everyone continued to whisper around him.
He never complained.
Never argued when others whispered behind him.
He never defended himself.
Soon enough, everyone started to behave normally around him.
Not everyone, but almost everyone.
The elder board members still saw him as Imelda’s son, and Fredrick’s grandson.
I knew consistency can rebuild trust and this time it will be stronger than before.
I began to notice how he would help others, even if it wasn’t his work.
“Jonathan,” Veronica said as she came and sat.
“I’m always with you p>
“I believe Adrian is more Daniel’s son than he is of Imelda’s p>
“What do you mean?” I said, confused.
“Huh?” she said, confused.
“I know you want to say something, go on, we’re alone p>
“Jonathan,” she smiled. “If we want others to believe what we say, we need to demonstrate our trust to them p>
I smiled as I understood what she meant.
I realized Veronica understood me without any lengthy explanations.
And our greatest strength has become that we act as one.
Days passed on as everyone was getting ready for the launch event of the Reunion collection.
The design team began to work late to complete in time.
The marketing team finalized the launch plans and trailers.
For the first time in days,
The anonymous email wasn’t the base of their conversations.
I exhaled as I realized the company just witnessed another storm.
Suddenly my phone buzzed.
I answered it immediately.
Johns’ voice was urgent.
“I’m coming over, to call a meeting p>
I did as he said.
As John entered he didn’t waste time and set up his workstation.
I sensed something important was going to be told.
“The investigation regarding Adrian is over p>
“And the investigation for the real culprit begins p>
He displayed a document on the large display.
“As you can see these are the access logs, encrypted transfers, and logins p>
“They belong to one person p>
“His IP address isn’t Adrian’s p>
“So, the person who leaked the original design drafts p>
Everyone and I immediately looked up at the screen as John pointed.
He was pointing to a name highlighted at the bottom left of the report.
I froze on seeing the name.
It was a person none of us anticipated.
The real betrayer came from a place no one expected.
“This is the real culprit’s name.” John said.