Too Late for Regret novel Chapter 73

More Rewards

Don’t Slander Us

Chapter 73

Ana’s POV

“Who in the hell said I was going to lose? You do know that Sasha can’t create or design anything. She paid

to use someone else’s design. That’s how she won her award. Not off her talent, but off someone else’s. You

bought her lies. Planning a wonderful life for your son, based on what she told you. That she was carrying

Roger’s baby, and she could elevate his company. More so than I could. So, how’s that plan of yours working

out for you? Because from what I heard, you lost your husband and son, over Sasha’s lies,” I asked.

Charlie had said nothing; he was just watching it all play out. He had texted someone, probably the gate

guard, Randy. But I wasn’t worried or afraid of these people. They were all bark and no bite. They didn’t

concern me, not like Tiffany and Gretchen did.

“Even if you came up with them, Elizabeth. You created them while working for Roger. So, they belong to the

company, not you,” Joyce proudly stated.

“I actually created them at home and at the company. But you’re wrong, Joyce. You seem a bit confused, so

let me clarify it for everyone. I was not an employee of the company. I was the co–owner. There is a big

difference right there. I didn’t have to work if I didn’t want to; Roger sure as hell didn’t. But I did work. I worked

my butt off working twelve and sixteen–hour days. Building his company from the ground up. Using my

contacts to become investors. I used my own money because I wanted to help support him by bringing his

vision to life. All while he sat in his office, letting me work myself into the ground,” I answered her.

“Lies, all of it. That company bears his name. He is the boss. He makes the decisions. He’s in charge,” Joyce

angrily rebutted.

“Yes, because I left it, and him. The company was successful until I found out what he had done. I backed

out, sold my shares. I informed the investors that I was no longer with the company when you had me

arrested. That’s the reason why it’s crashing and burning. My designs don’t belong to his company; they belong to me. He would only be allowed to use them if I allowed it, and I don’t. In fact, I won’t be allowing it ever again. I don’t want to muddy the water or cause confusion. It would be best for Roger to use the money I paid him from canceling all the remaining contracts between us. If you want to push me, Joyce. I can go ahead and have him fined for sending my designs to be produced after the contracts had expired on them. I have the numbers, I know exactly how much money that will be,” I replied.

“Mom, stay out of this. You are just making it worse. Ana was the reason my company has done so well. I need her help, and all you are doing is causing her to attack. She won’t come back if you keep this up. I need

her!” Roger cried out.

“Too bad you didn’t realize that sooner, Roger,” I replied, glancing over at him.

“I’m glad he did what he did, love. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met you. I wouldn’t change a thing,” Charlie said as he wrapped an arm around me and then kissed me when I looked up at him. I had completely forgotten about the people at the gate until Regina started another tantrum.

“See, Roger. I told you. They were probably together before you married Sasha. She was probably cheating on you this whole time,” Regina snapped out.

Don’t Slander Us

More Rewards &

“I agree, something was always off about her. She always thought she was too good, better than the rest of us. She might be a Caldwell, but she is also a thief and a slut. I wouldn’t have put it past her to have set her sights on your father if she hadn’t gotten you to propose. They always got along too well, too close, both he and your younger brother. It’s absolutely disgusting behavior. That’s why I wanted her gone. You can’t keep a woman like that around. I wasn’t going to allow it,” Joyce stated. She seemed to genuinely believe she was right. She would do anything to slander me.

“Wrong again, Joyce. You should get used to hearing that, maybe put it on a t–shirt as you’re wrong quite often,” I told her. I looked over to the two men recording this debacle. “I’m going to need a copy of today’s events. I’m going to add that last statement to the slander charges that are coming. Perhaps losing all the money you have will remind you not to say things that you know aren’t true. Oh, and by the way, Joyce. I had specific contracts written up, ones that allowed him to use my designs on a yearly basis. My designs are the very reason our company flourished, but they always belonged to me. Now they belong to Fashion Forward.”

One of the cameramen nodded at me, but I already knew they would have to give me the footage. Now that my identity has been exposed, they know a lawyer’s letter will be coming to them quickly if they refuse. I could take them to court and drag this out. I know that would be messing with their livelihood, but they are making money off the slanderous words of vicious women. They might want to rethink their jobs.

I heard someone approaching us a few minutes earlier. She probably came out and stuck to the sidewalk so

they wouldn’t see her coming. I didn’t turn around to look. I already suspected it was Gwen. She was my Maid

of Honor, but they weren’t allowed into the venue. They also didn’t know that we were close friends. Since I

wasn’t going to play along with them, they changed tactics.

“Ms. Simpson, I’m sorry to come here, but you need to know about your employee. Not only did she take

designs from our company when she left, but she also refuses to return them. This is going to reflect very

badly on not just her, but your company, too, if this goes to court. You need to talk some sense into her. There

is no need for her to go this far. She needs to just return them to us, and I’ll never come back. Please think of

the negative publicity that this is going to bring,” Sasha pleaded.

I see that she’s back to her innocent act. I’m sure that if I were to hand those designs over, she would be claiming them as hers within the hour. She would try to tell the world that they were hers all along. She

obviously didn’t mind claiming someone else’s work.

“Well, I think we can withstand it. Our company was built on transparency. We know our worth, and we

completely stand behind Ana. I know her and her talent. I believe that you’re scared to go to court, Mrs. Cook.

Rest assured, we don’t need to do anything further for the truth to be exposed. Ana’s one of the most talented

designers I’ve ever met. It’s been a pleasure to work with her. I believe her name will be cleared very quickly

once this goes to court. She can withstand this storm, can you?” Gwen replied.

“Wait a minute. Weren’t you with her at the auction?” Joyce suddenly asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

“I was,” Gwen replied.

“Did you ask her to steal those designs from my son?” Joyce shouted. It was clear that she was trying to drag the company down along with me. They were grasping at straws now, and I could tell this was the new spin they were going with.

“This company has been up and running for nine years. Almost twice as long as your son’s company. We’ve had no scandals or issues this entire time. We have high standards, not just as professionals, but as a company as well. I can assure you that we always operate with integrity. I won’t allow anyone to slander Ana,

* Don’t Slander Us

More Rewards!

the company, or me. I thought you had enough going on that you would realize that you can’t just accuse someone of what you just did. Especially hot on the heels of your own son admitting that those designs were Ana’s, but I was wrong. You will have to answer for what you just said,” Gwen coldly stated.

“I’m not scared of you or your company. The fact remains that the designs that belonged to my son’s company ended up here. If you don’t want to be accused of something like this, then you should never have instructed her to steal someone else’s work. I believe Sasha, when she said that Ana stole her designs. That’s good enough for me. People need to know what you did. They need to buy from the company that owns the designs. You shouldn’t have stepped into this. No matter who Ana is, she can’t change what she did. She is a liar and a thief. You’re backing the wrong person in this. You need to cut her loose and return the designs back to us before she ends up destroying your company, too,” Joyce assured her.

Gwen was always happy. She was vocal and bold. She was never scared to go toe–to–toe with anyone. But when she was calm, she was done. She knew the truth, but she wasn’t going to stand here and let them continue to slander me or the company. She knew when to push and when to step back. She considered this company to be as much hers as it was mine. She wasn’t going to allow Joyce to try to ruin our reputation.

Gwen pulled out her phone and made a call. “Hey, I need you to save the footage from both sides of the gate for the time frame before anyone arrived until they leave the premises. I

I

So want you to call the police and report trespassers at our gate. I want whoever is here when they arrive to be arrested. Burn three copies and send two of them to Rodney Briggs and have him add Joyce Cook to the plagiarism trial. The third copy can be placed on my desk.” There was a short pause before Gwen said, “Thanks.”

“Joyce, you’re about to learn a hard lesson, but it’s one that you need to learn. You’re not nearly as smart as you think you are. After the last incident. I had cameras installed while Ana was on her honeymoon. Audio and video, she didn’t even know that they were there. We have five cameras in total, as I didn’t want any allegations of edited videos. I already know people will do anything for money. Since you love being in the public eye, I’m going to help make you famous. The whole city is about to find out what a shrew you really are. You act like a lady, but say vile things about others. Ignoring the vile things that your own family does,”

Gwen told her.

“I’m not signing a release for you to use my likeness,” Joyce replied.

“You don’t have to. We will use them in court. I don’t need your permission to release them. I just won’t do so until the verdict is in, and your shame is complete. Don’t come back here again. I would suggest leaving quickly. The police are on their way now. I’m not playing with any of you,” Gwen replied.

KatVonBeck

44

#Vote#