Chapter 123
123:
She connected a USB drive and swiftly copied the files. She was eager to delve into their contents and purpose.
If these files turned out not to be Brenna’s designs, suspicions of draft theft might arise against Brenna.
The USB’s transfer seemed to drag on endlessly for Rosie, her nerves on edge as she feared Brenna’s return, constantly casting anxious glances toward the door.
But she had locked the door, so even if Brenna returned, she wouldn’t be able to get in immediately.
Just then, the walk-in closet’s door creaked open, and Brenna, moving as quietly as a shadow, silently appeared behind Rosie, watching as her design drafts were copied onto the USB.
These designs, however, were merely decoys from past contests, set deliberately by Brenna to trap Rosie.
Thirty seconds later, the files were fully copied. Rosie let out a sigh of relief, removed the USB, shut down the computer, and stood up to leave.
Rosie spun around, coming face to face with Brenna. Startled, she dropped the USB, her expression mirroring the shock of encountering a ghost.
“What were you doing on my laptop?” Brenna asked as she bent down to grab the USB. “What did you take?”
Frozen with fear, Rosie recalled her earlier room check; Brenna hadn’t been there.
“Where did you come from? When did you get back?” she asked.
She snatched the USB back from Brenna, clutching it as she pondered her next move.
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Brenna smiled faintly, standing in her path to block her escape. She said, “This is my room; do I have to inform you every time I come back? But you—what were you doing so secretly in my room?”
Rosie’s gaze darted to the now-open door of the walk-in closet.
“Were you hiding in there earlier?” she asked.
She realized her oversight; she had inspected every other room but missed the walk-in closet.
Brenna confirmed with a nod. “Indeed, I was. Now tell me, what were you really up to in here?”
Rosie noticed the confusion on Brenna’s face and believed she was likely unaware of what Rosie had done. “Oh, it’s nothing important. I was just checking if you were around. The cherries are quite delicious, and I thought I’d bring some for you.”
She extended a cherry toward Brenna. “Here, taste this.”
Brenna eyed the USB still in Rosie’s hand, then abruptly seized Rosie’s wrist.
The grip was crushing, pain radiating through Rosie’s arm. She cried out, “What are you doing? Stop, you’re hurting me!”
Her expression twisted in pain as Brenna’s grip tightened.
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