Even after the image was repaired, the woman in black was still impossible to make out.
She stood up, and as she moved her chair, something snagged it, producing a harsh scraping sound.
Wen Yan looked down and found an earring by the chair.
The earring was silver, and it flashed brilliantly when the sunlight caught it.
She bent down, picked it up, and put it in her pocket before leaving.
An earring would make it easier to identify who it belonged to. Moreover, since the earring fell near her chair, it was undoubtedly the same person who had stolen the design drafts.
She scanned the workstations in the hall, her gaze landing on two designers who were looking at documents. "You two, come in here."
The two designers whose names were called looked at Wen Yan in confusion. "President Wen, are you calling us?"
She nodded and explained, "I have something I'd like to ask you. Come in."
With that, she turned and returned to her office, sitting down on the sofa.
The two handsome designers followed her in. One of them spoke respectfully, "President Wen, what is it?"
Wen Yan took out the earring and handed it to the woman. "Do you know whose earring this is?"
The designer took the glittering silver earring and examined it. After a moment, she shook her head. "President Wen, I'm not quite sure."
Wen Yan had only been trying her luck. If she knew whose earring it was, she would also know who had stolen the design drafts.
However, the other designer stared at the earring for a few seconds, her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "President Wen, I know whose it is."
Hearing this, Wen Yan glanced at the other designer and quickly asked, "Whose is it?"
The first designer looked at her companion. "Do you really know whose it is?"
Wen Yan said, "If you know whose it is, I'll reward you with a five-thousand bonus."
Upon hearing this, the designer's heart raced, and she blurted out, "I've seen the lady from accounting wear this earring a few times."
Wen Yan pressed, "Are you sure?"
The designer nodded vigorously. "Certain."
"Alright, go to accounting after work to collect your bonus. Tell them I sent you."
The designer was overjoyed, while the designer beside her pouted slightly with envy.
After Wen Yan dismissed the two designers, she directly called Zhuo Feng and asked if he knew the address of the accounting department's home.
Zhuo Feng replied, "Yes."
"Take the surveillance footage and this earring, and hand them over to the investigation department. Tell them she stole the office design drafts."
She had already given that accountant a chance; this time, she would not tolerate it any further.
Zhuo Feng nodded upon hearing this and left with the surveillance footage and the earring.
An hour later.
Wen Yan received a call from Ye Shu. Before she could speak, Ye Shu blurted out anxiously, "Wen Yan, people are saying online that you've plagiarized someone else's design style. This is no small matter."
For a designer, honor was a very important thing.
Upon hearing this, Wen Yan's expression remained calm. "Sister Ye, do you think I would plagiarize?"
Ye Shu said with conviction, "It's not a matter of me believing you anymore; it's about whether others believe you. Have you offended someone?"
She replied nonchalantly, "Sister Ye, don't worry, I won't implicate you, and I can handle this myself."
No matter who issued the challenge, she would accept it.
Ye Shu said appreciatively, "Wen Yan, I believe you can handle this, and I will do my best to help you."
"Thank you, Sister Ye."
As soon as Wen Yan hung up the phone, her best friend Bai Quan called.
She placed her phone on the table, turned on the speaker, and stared at the news online.
The first article read: "Vicious Fallen Heiress Disregards Kinship, Designer's Honor Plagiarized from Others' Works."
Beneath the title were many comments, both positive and negative.
On the other end of the phone, Bai Quan said anxiously, "Yan Yan, someone is using your recent punishment of Wen Ya to stir up trouble."
"Now you're in the spotlight again because of plagiarism. It seems someone really doesn't want you to have an easy time! Who do you think it is?"
Wen Yan's gaze was calm. "I'm not sure, but we should know soon."
Hearing Wen Yan's lack of urgency, Bai Quan chuckled. "It seems you already have a plan. Do you need my help?"
Wen Yan smiled and teased, "No need. I can handle this little matter myself. You and Rong Beifeng are enjoying your reunion after a separation, and I don't want to disturb you."
"Your husband is important, of course, but your best friend is equally important! If you need help, you must tell me, or you're not treating me as your best friend."
Wen Yan was a little touched. "Okay, I understand. I'll deal with this first, and I'll tell you later."
"Mhm."
She hung up the phone and looked at the flood of insults below. She directly posted her recently drawn design drafts and typed a clarification: "Everyone can take a look. These design drafts have many different details."
As soon as she posted it, someone maliciously commented below: "Shameless! Even with different details, it's still plagiarism. You're copying someone else."
Other commenters immediately followed suit: "That's right, I don't see any difference. I used to think Miss Wen, as a top designer, was kind-hearted, but I didn't expect her to do something so classless."
A designer who could spot the differences stated confidently: "These design drafts indeed have differences. Not only in elements, but some details are also handled better than the previous ones."
"So, this shouldn't be considered plagiarism, but rather inspiration."
Just as Wen Yan was about to close her computer, she noticed that the instigator of the comments revealed their identity and posted again: "Support original work. Our company is not acquainted with Miss Wen. Her using my style without permission is plagiarism."
After this comment, many people began to support original work, and some cursed even more fiercely.
"I think Miss Wen is just a fraud who deceives the public. Shamelessly using someone else's original work, and then claiming it's inspiration – how disgusting."
"She could even harm her own sister, so stealing someone else's work is probably commonplace for her, isn't it?"
"Someone like this can be Mrs. Leng? I suggest a nationwide boycott. People like her should get out of the capital; she's not worthy of being a designer."
Just then, Director Ye's team spoke up: "Miss Wen is not like what you're saying at all. I am Ye Shu, and Miss Wen is currently collaborating with us. I hope everyone will open their eyes and not be used as pawns by others."
"In my opinion, Miss Wen's designs are merely improvements upon original work, not plagiarism. Furthermore, I have interacted with Miss Wen, and she is not as unbearable as you say."
After Ye Shu's statement, some commenters began to speak up for Wen Yan. "Director Ye has come forward to clarify, so if we don't believe Miss Wen, we should at least believe Director Ye!"
"Director Ye wouldn't lie. Didn't that designer just say that Miss Wen's work is inspiration?"
"I also believe Director Ye."