Mr. Chairman’s Devious Wife by Brey Mitchylle
Chapter 59

Chapter 59

“What?” Mrs. Phelps’s facial expression immediately changed. “Sofia, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why would I betray you?” She chuckled as if the mere idea of betraying Sofia was something comical. “Whoever is saying this must know that you wanted me to become the next creative director and wanted to ruin my reputation. But you already know that, right?”

Sofia pursed her lips, unable to understand why the woman seemed so calm. Was it because she was innocent, or was she simply good at pretending? Sofia knew it was the latter.

However, Mrs. Phelps’s calmness almost caught her off guard. If she were naive, she would have immediately believed the woman. After all, Mrs. Phelps had been working under the company for years. It would be reasonable if someone just wanted to malign her.

Without saying another word, Sofia placed the folder on the table. She smiled at the older woman. “Then please explain this matter to me, Mrs. Phelps.” She opened the folder, and almost immediately, Mrs. Phelps's expression changed. The folder contained not just documents, but also images from the CCTV showing her log-in on her computer at the time the transaction was made.

“Actually, I thought the scheme was quite good...” Sofia said. “I almost did not realize that something was wrong until I started monitoring my company closely.”

Mrs. Phelps squinted at the folder, flipping through the evidence. “I don’t know how those got there, but this can’t be right. I would never betray the company. Someone’s trying to set me up.”

Sofia leaned forward, her eyes steady. “Mrs. Phelps, these aren’t just random accusations. We've got your transactions, your logins, and the CCTV footage. It’s pretty clear-cut. What’s your explanation?”

Mrs. Phelps stuttered for a moment, then composed herself. “I... I don’t know how those transactions got linked to me. Maybe someone's using my credentials without me knowing. This is a setup, Sofia.”

“Someone using your credentials to send confidential info to our competitors? That sounds like a stretch. Why would anyone do that to you specifically?” Sofia raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t have an answer for that, but I’m innocent. You have to believe me, Sofia.”

“Mrs. Phelps, I trusted you. You were part of this company for over a decade. I even considered promoting you. Why would someone frame you?” Sofia sighed, her disappointment evident.

“I... I don’t know. But I didn’t do this. I swear.” Mrs. Phelps bit her lip, looking genuinely perplexed.

“I want the truth. Are you involved in this, or are you really just an unfortunate victim of a setup?” Sofia leaned back, studying Mrs. Phelps. She had more than enough proof to nail this woman, but she was giving her the chance to explain herself.

This was because Mrs. Phelps was one of the first workers of LH Design that Eunice Lockhart loved so much. Eunice trusted the woman, and Sofia wanted to know why Mrs. Phelps was willing to break that trust.

“I don’t know how this happened, but I didn’t collude with anyone. I’ve given my best to LH Design, and I would never jeopardize that.”

Sofia sneered. “You know... my mother trusted you so much.” Sofia knew that it was Eunice herself who hired the first workers of LH Design. Her mother had been proud of that fact. "Yet you betrayed her...” Sofia suddenly placed more evidence on the table.

This time, she knew it was over.

“If I didn’t have these, I wouldn’t have believed that you are working for them.” Sofia snorted.

The photos on the table captured moments that left little room for doubt. The first one showed Mrs. Phelps talking to a shady-looking middleman in a dimly lit alley, exchanging what seemed to be a bundle of papers. Sofia pointed at it, her voice firm.

“Explain this, Mrs. Phelps. What’s happening in this picture?” Actually, Sofia knew what was happening in these pictures. Mrs. Phelps found it hard to send emails using her company email or any other personal email.

So, she chose to print the documents. It would be cleaner that way.

Almost immediately, Mrs. Phelps stammered, her eyes flickering over the incriminating image. “I... I don’t remember this. It must be doctored or something.”

Sofia shook her head, her patience waning. “These pictures are crystal clear, and they match the time of the transactions. What about this one?” She slid another photo across the table.

The photo showed Mrs. Phelps with a sly grin, handing over a USB drive to a person clad in the rival company’s logo. Sofia’s eyes bore into Mrs. Phelps as she awaited an explanation. Again, she knew that Mrs. Phelps was using this method to avoid any traces.

“I can’t explain that. Maybe it’s someone who looks like me,” Mrs. Phelps stammered, her defense faltering.

“Someone who looks like you, making deals with our competition? Believable indeed.” Sofia scoffed. She did not hide the sarcasm in her voice.

“My lawyer has been made aware of this, and they are—”

“No.” Mrs. Phelps suddenly interrupted her.

“Theft of Trade Secrets, Corporate Espionage, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) Violation, Fraud and Deceit, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, and many others.” Sofia smiled. “Can you imagine what your children will say when they know where you got the money that you used to take them to Disneyland?”

“You—”

“Wouldn't it be good if the cops show up while you are in the church with your family and friends and just... arrest you?” Sofia smiled.

This time, Mrs. Phelps finally faltered. She paled, her eyes landing on the photos.

“Those are mere photos. Obviously, I also have a copy of the CCTV footage nearby showing you driving your car in and out of that area. I have more than enough proof to ruin your life.”

Mrs. Phelps’s face now looked like a sheet of paper.

“Of course, I can opt not to file a case. I can consider the fact that you and my mother used to be so close,” Sofia said, the smile on her face not vanishing. “As long as you give me proof that Mr. Oh is working with you.”

Sofia suddenly got up. “I don’t have time, Mrs. Phelps. Unlike my mother, I am not a very patient person. I just lost my sister and my fiancé and now, I am doubting if I can trust Lawrence.” She walked towards her table. “I am giving you a week.”

She then turned towards Mrs. Phelps. “It is either that or you are going down alone.”

“How did you know Mr. Oh is working with me?” Mrs. Phelps said.

“I don’t think I owe you an explanation,” Sofia said. “Do you?”

“No.” Mrs. Phelps cleared her throat. “So if I testify...”

“Too basic,” Sofia interrupted her. “I need evidence. Real evidence.”

Mrs. Phelps pursed her lips. “I understand. I will give it to you, but what about me?”

“You are going to resign after a week. You will not be given any compensation, but the company will not file a lawsuit against you. I am certain you were able to save a huge amount of money from your lucrative business, so I don’t think you still need the company. You and your family shall leave Illinois and start a new life somewhere and... we can simply forget everything.” Sofia smiled.

“You are going to let me go?” Mrs. Phelps said.

Sofia simply shrugged.

“Without any charges?”

Again, Sofia shrugged with the same smile on her face.

“I understand,” Mrs. Phelps had a complicated look on her face. “Then I am leaving now.” Sofia nodded and stared at the older woman's now hunched back.

Once alone, Sofia patted her chest, her strong exterior crumbling.

It was really hard to pretend to be strong in front of the people that she once trusted the most. Sadly, this was a necessary move. She needed to grow; she needed to learn.

Sofia found her chair, and as if on cue, Miss Amores walked in with a bottle of water in her hand. Sofia smiled and thanked her secretary.

“Uh... Miss Amores hesitated for a few seconds.

“What is it?”

“There is some food delivery guy outside saying that... it was from a certain Mr. Beaumont. I know that your fiancé—”

“Let him in,” Sofia smiled. Sofia knew that it was not sent by Daniel but by the other Mr. Beaumont.