Mysterious Mrs. Pansy

“Yes, sir.”

Morton nodded and left.

Soon after, he returned with a copy of the surveillance footage from the period when Jane was at the airport.

“Mr. Pansy, I’ve got it,” Morton reported, handing the USB drive to Patrick.

Patrick accepted it, leaned back in his chair, and narrowed his eyes. What secrets could this footage hold? After contemplating it for a moment, he dropped the USB drive on the table and commanded, “Play it.”

“Yes, sir,” Morton responded, proceeding to set up the computer and projector. He inserted the USB drive and initiated the playback.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

Monica wiped away the cold sweat on her forehead and tried to reassure herself. She believed that even if they obtained the surveillance footage, it wouldn’t reveal her involvement. She had orchestrated her actions meticulously, and Jane wouldn’t be able to incriminate her.

The surveillance footage began with Jane organizing her folders, meticulously inspecting the drawings, clearly displaying that she held the legitimate drawings, not blank sheets.

After her examination, Jane returned the drawings to the folder and secured it in a drawer. She then departed for the airport.

Not a soul approached Jane’s desk until noon when it was time for lunch. All the employees left for the cafeteria, leaving the offices unattended.

At that moment, a middle-aged cleaner in her uniform entered Jane’s office with cleaning supplies in hand. She discreetly made her way to Jane’s desk and cautiously checked her surroundings for any witnesses. Assured that she was alone, she opened the drawer, replaced the drawings with blank sheets, and departed.

Monica breathed a sigh of relief. “It appears the cleaner was responsible for the switch,” she asserted.

Having reviewed the surveillance footage and identified the perpetrator, she believed that Jane’s accusations against her could now be easily dispelled.

“That’s correct. Now that we’ve reviewed the surveillance footage and know who did it, you owe me an apology, Jane,” Monica declared, her pride and arrogance fully restored.

“Just a moment,” Jane interjected, signaling to Morton to pause the footage.

“Yes, we’ve all witnessed it. It was the cleaner, Joan, who substituted the drawings. But why did she do it? What motivated her?” Jane inquired.

“You can locate her and question her,” Monica suggested, confident that Jane wouldn’t be able to find Joan.

Patrick, his brow furrowing, gestured for Morton to initiate a search for Joan.

Morton promptly made a phone call and then informed Patrick, “Joan resigned at one o’clock this afternoon.”

One o’clock? That was after the drawings were replaced. Her resignation following the act was a clear indication of premeditation. “Investigate it thoroughly and ensure you locate her,” Patrick commanded, his tone unyielding.

Jane, however, smiled and shook her head. “Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll have Joan join us right away. The truth will become evident.”

Patrick was taken aback. “What?” he questioned, surprised.

Jane retrieved her phone and dialed a number. “Joan, you can come here now. Yes, the conference room on the eighteenth floor.”

Monica began to panic, bewildered as to how Jane had acquired Joan’s phone number. Why was she calling Joan at this critical juncture? Monica questioned the feasibility of Jane’s actions and presumed she was merely bluffing.

Monica recognized the importance of maintaining her composure and avoiding panic. She continued to maintain her cool.

Ten minutes later, a middle-aged woman in a cleaner’s uniform appeared at the conference room’s entrance. It was none other than Joan.

“Joan, please come in,” Jane beckoned, nodding at Joan.

Joan, displaying some nervousness, entered the room. Upon seeing Joan, Monica’s face turned pallid. Joan had resigned and returned to the countryside, so why was she now here?

“Joan, did you steal the drawings from my folder and replace them with blank sheets?” Jane inquired calmly.

Joan nodded in acknowledgment. “Yes.”

Jane probed further, “What motivated you to do this?”

Joan lowered her gaze, her voice quivering. “Someone offered me five hundred thousand dollars to make the substitution.”

“Who was it? Is that person present in this room?” Jane pressed on.

Joan affirmed, pointing directly at Monica. “It’s her! She paid me to do it!”

Monica erupted in panic, attempting to cast blame on Jane. “Don’t make unfounded accusations against me. I’m sure Jane bribed you.”

Jane maintained her calm demeanor, prompting Monica to doubt herself. Everything was unfolding according to Jane’s master plan.

Days earlier, upon overhearing Monica and Florence’s conversation in the bathroom, Jane had surmised their scheme. She had enlisted Anthony to eavesdrop on Monica’s phone call, thereby uncovering Monica’s intention to steal the drawings in order to manipulate Patrick into expelling Jane from the company for neglect of duty.

Recognizing Joan’s son’s dire need for medical attention, Jane had arranged for the child to receive treatment, and he had made a remarkable recovery. Joan expressed profound gratitude, pledging her unwavering support. Jane had proposed that Joan accept Monica’s money, feign compliance with the scheme, and collect incriminating evidence in the process.

Monica had sought to ensnare Jane, and in response, Jane had orchestrated the same fate for Monica.

“Joan, did I instruct you to frame her?” Jane inquired casually.

Joan found the notion absurd, shaking her head vigorously. “No. She asked me to steal your drawings.”

Monica disclaimed the accusation, attempting to deflect responsibility onto Jane. “This is preposterous! What did Jane offer you? Why are you making false accusations?”

“I did not make false accusations,” Joan asserted, revealing a recording pen. “This pen contains the recording of our conversation when you provided me the money to replace the drawings.”

Patrick’s surprise was evident, as he recognized the recording pen from Jane’s room. Had Jane been the one to supply it to Joan? The revelation indicated that Jane had foreseen Monica’s plot.

Undoubtedly, Joan’s actions, including her betrayal of Monica, had been orchestrated by Jane.