Chapter 495 - Orion Enterprise annual meeting (8)

Two women who came to get their envelope were not aware of Isabella and Leah under the desk. Unless someone squatted to look down, or walked on the other side, they could not be seen.

Our two girls were under the table, holding each other, their eyes showing that what happened is not enough… and that they can't wait for these two to leave so that they resume tasting each other.

"Eh?", they heard one of two women say in surprise.

"What is it?", the other one was ready to gossip, it seems.

Leah and Isabella froze, wondering if they were spotted. It will be difficult to explain… whoever saw them in such a state, would not find it difficult to come to an understanding of what happened. Their disheveled clothes would point that two of them were either fighting or undressing each other.

What they heard next got them both puzzled.

"Look at this! There is an extra prize for first place!", woman almost screamed from excitement.

"What extra prize? Where did that come from?"

"Angela just texted, she is downstairs… they announced that winning team gets a dance with Director Martin!"

"No way! You are making it up!"

"No, no… look for yourself! Why would Angela lie? She is not even playing…"

"Eeeeh? … it's not whole team… only one representative."

"Details… insignificant details… I will represent us!"

"No way… You think I will allow that? That dance is mine!"

"We can decide on that later. First, we need to win! Let's hurry up…"

"You got a point…"

Two ladies took their envelope and walked outside in hurried steps.

Under the desk, Leah was frowning, and her eyes darted around. "I need to call Sophia."

Isabella could see that this is something serious and fun time is over… for now.

Two of them stood up and fixed their appearances.

Leah was calling Sophia on the way to the elevator. "Hey, where are you? It seems that something weird happened… Someone added dance with Felix as a main prize… I don't know who did it… It sounded like more than just a rumor… I'm entering the elevator. See you in a minute."

…

Leah and Isabella reached group of seven: Sarah, Aiden, JoAnna, Jeff, Sophia, Felix… and David.

Sophia got off the phone and confirmed. "They announced on the main floor stage that members of the wining team get to pick a representative who will dance with Felix." Sophia's face was dark.

"We need to tell them it's not approved. They need to pull that out.", Leah voiced her opinion.

"Wait, let's take a minute and understand the situation…" JoAnna wanted to analyze the situation first. "Dancing itself is not a big deal but considering that someone used some unknown strategy to make this happen, it's possible that there is more to it than just a dance."

"It does not need to be a well-developed plot." Sarah voiced her opinion. "It can be one woman who wants to feel out our brother-in-law, and she got a chance to slip this to the announcer as an official thing."

"…and that woman will make sure she wins.", Aiden added.

Sarah agreed with him. "True… what is the point in adding him as a prize if she does not get to enjoy it?"

Felix didn't like the idea that they are talking about him like he is some trophy to be handed out.

"Are you sure it's a woman?", Isabella wanted to say that it might be a man, but seeing Felix's dark face, she stopped herself. And her question implied that already.

Sarah didn't mind Isabella's comment. A man or a woman, it does not change the fact that someone is cheating.

"Since we are uploading things from checkpoints, that means the progress is tracked electronically… If you have access to the system, it's easy to manipulate points..." Sarah was analyzing.

"…we are looking for someone who developed this software.", Aiden finished her thought.

Sarah smiled hearing his words and nodded in agreement, "…at least one person involved is a software developer."

Sophia was listening to their discussion with a dark face. What they said made sense, but why would someone do that? Just to have few minutes on the dance floor with Felix? 'With my man?!' Sophia realized that her temper is rising, and she took few deep breaths.

Felix saw that Sophia is getting frustrated and stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. He was not sure how to help and decided that it's best to keep quiet. No matter what he says it will only make things worse.

David was nervously glancing at Felix. He wanted to make himself useful, but at the same time he feared that if he brings attention to himself, that Aiden person might bring up again that he left Leah and Isabella behind. Knowing how his boss is a gentleman, he would not approve of his action… so David decided to keep quiet.

Jeff was observing situation while sticking close to JoAnna. He didn't like that Isabella is back, but he did his best to focus on the issue being discussed. He does not want to meddle, it's not his company, and this is a company issue. Jeff repeated to himself that he came here to support JoAnna, and that is what he is doing. Supporting her and making sure she is safe.

Sophia felt Felix's gentle pressure on her shoulders, but she was too upset to enjoy it. She decided. "First we need to see who all is involved."

Sophia looked at Sarah, "You can help me find out who that is, right?"

Sarah nodded.

Aiden was next to Sarah, ready to help.

Sophia was happy that she can rely on them. "You can go to my office. Use my computer."

Sarah rejected to leave. "We can use any computer."

Sophia gestured that they can proceed.

Aiden had a plan already, "Let's find a team whose points don't add up..."

"…and look in logs to see who is giving them points." Sarah finished his thought as they went to a nearby office.

Isabella was observing Sarah and Aiden. She was not sure what they talked about, but their chemistry was undeniable.

Sophia made a call. "Hi dad… Can you find out who from your department worked on developing software for scavenger hunt? … Thanks."

"Uh… I was enjoying the game.", JoAnna plopped on a nearby office chair. It was obvious that her excitement about the game is gone.

"What will we do about the scavenger hunt?", Leah asked Sophia. A lot of planning and resources went into this game. Knowing that someone is messing with the game made Leah upset.

"This game will be canceled.", Sophia didn't hesitate. No one gets to mess up her event and get away with it. She will cancel the game, find the wrongdoers and punish them.

Leah was sad to hear this, but it is the only way if they don't want those people to get away with it. "On it!" She got her phone.

"Wait…" Sophia stopped Leah from making a call. "Let Sarah and Aiden do their thing first. We don't want to risk not catching the culprits."

Leah nodded in agreement and kept her phone down. She never saw Sophia this angry. "What will you do with them?"

"This behavior is not acceptable, and it will not be tolerated. Not within my company… as for what will happen with those people… I will make a decision once I know more about the situation." Sophia's voice didn't waver.

Jeff nodded in approval of Sophia's words. If it's him, he would probably fire everyone involved… but knowing more about the situation first is not a bad idea either. Then fire them.