Chapter 15: The Trap

Three days later, Hill Interior Design was busier than ever.

New projects kept arriving, and Catherine barely had time to rest.

Just as she finished reviewing a blueprint, Freya rushed into her office.

"Cathy, we've got a problem."

"What happened?"

"Someone posted online claiming we copied another company's designs."

Catherine frowned.

"That's impossible."

"All of our work is original."

"I know," Freya replied.

"But the rumors are spreading fast."

Catherine immediately opened the article.

The headline read:

"Hill Interior Design Suspected of Plagiarism."

Attached were several edited images that deliberately made their designs appear identical to another firm's work.

"These images have been manipulated," Catherine said immediately.

"Someone is trying to frame us."

Just then, Hadley called.

"Mrs. Hill, Mr. Hill has already seen the news."

"He's on his way."

Twenty minutes later, Shaun arrived at the company.

He walked straight into the conference room.

"Show me everything."

After reviewing the documents, his expression remained calm.

"This wasn't done by a competitor."

"It was carefully planned."

"Someone had access to your original files."

"An insider?" Freya asked.

Shaun nodded.

"Most likely."

"Hadley."

"Yes, Mr. Hill."

"Find out who downloaded the project files during the past month."

"Immediately."

"Understood."

Within an hour, Hadley returned.

"We've identified the source."

"Who is it?" Catherine asked.

"A former employee."

"She resigned two weeks ago."

"Before leaving, she copied several confidential files."

"Who hired her?" Shaun asked.

Hadley placed another file on the table.

"She recently accepted a position at Jones Design Studio."

The room fell silent.

"Rebecca..." Catherine whispered.

"She's behind this."

Shaun calmly closed the file.

"Not for long."

Meanwhile, at Jones Design Studio...

Rebecca sat in her office smiling as she watched the online comments increase.

"Let's see how long your company survives now, Catherine."

One of her assistants entered nervously.

"Miss Jones..."

"Hill Corporation's legal department just contacted us."

"What?"

"They're demanding we appear in court tomorrow morning."

"Court?"

"They've accused us of corporate espionage, theft of intellectual property, and defamation."

Rebecca's smile disappeared instantly.

"That's impossible."

"They don't have proof."

The assistant hesitated.

"Apparently... they do."

Rebecca's face turned pale.

Back at Hill Corporation, Shaun stood beside the window overlooking the city.

"She underestimated one thing," he said quietly.

"What's that?" Catherine asked.

"She thought she was attacking you."

"But the moment she targeted your company..."

"She declared war on mine."

The following morning, the courtroom was packed with reporters.

Business leaders from across the city attended the hearing.

Rebecca arrived with her lawyer, still trying to appear confident.

Across the courtroom, Shaun and Catherine entered together.

Their calm expressions made Rebecca increasingly uneasy.

The judge called the session to order.

"Plaintiff, present your evidence."

Hill Corporation's lawyer stood.

"Your Honor..."

"We have surveillance footage, computer access records, financial transactions, and signed statements proving that Miss Rebecca Jones knowingly hired an employee to steal confidential design files from Hill Interior Design."

"Furthermore..."

"We possess recordings confirming that she ordered the release of false information to damage the company's reputation."

The courtroom erupted in shock.

Rebecca's lawyer froze.

"Impossible..."

"Where did you get all this?"

Shaun finally spoke.

"Hill Corporation protects its people."

"Especially my wife."

Rebecca looked toward Catherine.

"You planned all this?"

"No," Catherine answered quietly.

"You trapped yourself."

The judge reviewed the evidence for several minutes before looking up.

"Based on the overwhelming evidence presented..."

"This court finds Miss Rebecca Jones legally responsible for corporate theft, defamation, and financial damages."

"Sentencing will be announced after the final hearing."

Rebecca collapsed into her chair.

She had lost.

Completely.

As the reporters surrounded Shaun and Catherine outside the courthouse, one journalist asked:

"Mr. Hill, why did Hill Corporation invest so many resources into this case?"

Shaun looked at Catherine before answering.

"Because protecting my wife isn't an expense."

"It's my responsibility."

Standing beside him, Catherine smiled.

For years, she had searched for someone who would stand beside her.

Now...

She had finally found the man who would stand in front of her whenever the world tried to knock her down.