Page 31 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

“Excuse me?” Mark sounded outraged.

I looked at Mark, quaking inside but outwardly calm. “Considering Helen’s slander and grave accusations, we are waiting for my solicitor.”

“What are you talking about, Lyra? Just give us back the files and stop trying to make Serena appear inept!” Cale snapped.

I glanced at Cale, snorted and returned to messaging Thea.

“Serena doesn’t need my help to be incompetent, as you’ll soon find out.”

Casually, I smoothed my dress down, catching Serena’s gaze. Serena’s eyes narrowed as she took it in. No doubt she realised it was designer.

Joseph arrived ten minutes later; it was a power play and one I welcomed. He entered with several men and women behind him.

“What’s this?” Mark spluttered, looking shocked.

“Joseph Fanshaw, of Fanshaw, Parker, and Dawson. This is my secretary, and other solicitors who are present as witnesses. Now, without further ado, I’d like the allegation repeated that Helen Place made about my client,” Joseph said.

“Fanshaw, Parker, and Dawson?” Mark asked and swallowed. Yes, he’d heard of them. Joseph had informed me that his law firm was well known. It seemed he was right.

“How can Lyra afford you? This is bull. Who are these fakes?” Cale demanded.

“The allegation.” Joseph snapped his fingers.

“Miss Jasper has misplaced…”

“No. That isn’t what you accused Miss Jasper of.” Joseph turned a stern glance on Helen, who swallowed. “Your wording was that Miss Jasper has stolen several files out of spite. Because she had been dumped.”

“Maybe I ought to get my legal counsel down,” Mark said, looking worried.

“Perhaps you should have considered them before making baseless allegations,” Joseph shot back.

“Lyra is guilty!” Serena shouted. “Lyra stole them to make me appear bad. All because Cale fell in love with me and not the frump she is.”

“Frump?” Joseph repeated, amused. “Wearing a Miss Mystique dress? I very much doubt that. However, we have noted the allegation and the phrasing. May we proceed?” Joseph looked at those accompanying him, who nodded.

“Where?” Mark asked, clearly confused.

“The office,” I replied and began walking off.

Everyone followed me. As we entered the floor, everyone’s eyes turned to me. At first, sneers and derision greeted me. Then they faded at the team behind my back.

I walked to the centre of the room, clenching my hands. “I won’t approach the files. Mark, can you tell me the name of the Sinclair project?” I asked.

“The Marina Shuttle,” Mark replied.

“Please access the filing cabinet which contains the Ms. Not the Ts or Ss,” I sniped at Serena, who paled.

“Now go to the back for MS.” Swallowing hard, Mark held up the Sinclair file.

“Oh dear, what a surprise. Let me guess, Serena was looking under T for the word The or under S for Sinclair.” I tutted as she flushed. “If Serena had been working on the project, surely she would have known it’s filed under the project title. What’s the name of the Harrison venture, Serena?” Dead silence fell around us. Nobody knew how to take my poise or sarcasm. At least they couldn’t see how badly I was shaking internally.

She swallowed, and Mark turned to her. “Serena?”

Serena began stammering. She didn’t have a clue. Because she’d never once held the file or project, because it was in the beginning stages.

“Serena clearly doesn’t know. Some manager she is,” I sneered. Cale flushed red. “The Harrison project title is Emerald Track. Proceed to E, then ET.”

Moments later, Mark lifted it.