Chapter 90: Scapegoat

Kevin opened his mouth to speak, but Abigail interrupted, “Between your request for his help and your giving me the medication, has your phone ever left your sight?”

Victor pondered this. After a moment, he replied, “Damian gave me a glass of water while he was taking my measurements. He chatted with me for a while after I drank it, and then I took a nap.”

Kevin licked his lips. “Who knows what you did in that room? He wouldn’t admit to creating this chat history to scapegoat you.” He paused, then grinned. “And what does that gain him?”

Luna raised her hand. “Of course there's a gain. If he ruins my assistant's reputation, my reputation is also ruined. He wasn't targeting Victor; Victor is just cannon fodder in this war. His target was, and is, me and my assistant.”

“There’s no proof of that. You believe his conjecture?” Kevin licked his lips, a smile on his face, but his eyes were icy.

Abigail said, “There is proof. Your production team doesn’t have the medication he wanted. It must have been bought online and delivered here. You can find that out, can’t you?”

Kevin smiled at Abigail. “Fine, I’ll look into it, but I’ll have to tell Mr. Graham.” He took out his phone and called Sean.

Victor knelt on the ground, drenched in sweat and shaking uncontrollably. Abigail watched him silently.

Kevin’s call connected. He said loudly, “Mr. Graham, we need to investigate the evidence. Ms. Quinn wants the suspect to remain on the production team.”

Abigail pursed her lips. “That’s our goal, but you could have been more subtle.”

Kevin held his phone away from his ear. Sean said coolly, “What investigation? Just kick everyone involved off the production team. Is that so hard?”

“Then we’ll have to kick out the designer, the model, and the kitchen staff.” Kevin grinned at Abigail, his eyes twinkling flirtatiously.

Abigail took the phone. “Hello?” Sean remained silent, but the silence was thick with tension. Luna approached Abigail and tugged on her sleeve, hoping for a rational approach.

“We can fire them all, but if someone can prove Victor’s innocence, can he stay?” Abigail asked softly.

Impatiently, Sean asked, “And your reason for insisting on his continued employment is?”

“I only want justice, Sean. That’s why we made this show, isn’t it?” Abigail said coolly, but her tone was serious.

Luna and Kevin looked at her. Victor clenched his fists. Silence fell, the tension palpable.

Kevin stared at Abigail, then took back his phone. “I think she has a point. If we don’t investigate thoroughly, the culprit will have successfully scapegoated an innocent man. They can, and will, repeat this trick. I don’t want my show labeled as evil and morally bankrupt.”

Sean hung up.

Luna placed a gentle hand on Abigail’s wrist. “It’s alright,” she said softly.

As a designer, Abigail had risen to fame through pure skill. Her alias, Alana, was widely known. She despised unfair competition and contests rigged with strings attached. She believed skill, not trickery and conspiracy, should determine success. Her insistence on justice for Victor was a testament to her beliefs.

While Kevin escorted Victor away, Abigail blurted, “If this is going to be an unfair show, I’m pulling out.”

Kevin turned, smiling. “At this rate, this guy’s going to fall for you.”

Abigail looked at Victor. He quickly said, “I won’t. I swear.”

Shortly after Kevin left, Luna was about to speak when her phone rang. She clicked her tongue, checked the caller ID, and looked solemn. It was the maid she hired for Abigail. She looked at Abigail and asked gently, “What’s wrong, Julie?”

Abigail frowned, reminded of her grandmother.