The General Manager looked surprised.

"A third possibility?"

Julian Evans cut in sharply.

"Evelyn Ross, stop making excuses. Admit your mistake now and the punishment might be lighter."

Jason Lawrence pressed urgently.

"What exactly is going on?"

Evelyn Ross spoke calmly.

"There's another possibility. Julian Evans never received Dr. Nan's proposal. He is framing me."

Jason Lawrence immediately looked at Julian Evans.

Julian Evans scoffed.

"You're good at shifting blame! I have solid evidence!"

He showed a phone screenshot to Jason Lawrence.

"This is the proposal Dr. Nan sent to Isabella Ashcroft last night. The timestamp is earlier than your submission record! I also have a witness!"

Evelyn's eyes darkened slightly.

So it was Isabella Ashcroft's doing.

She remembered leaving her computer briefly in the hospital room yesterday while accompanying Sophia Ashcroft for her check-up.

Did Isabella manage to crack her password?

Her fingertips tightened slightly.

Julian Evans turned to the General Manager.

"This matter must be dealt with seriously! We should involve the police if necessary! If Dr. Nan finds out someone at Vance Group stole their proposal, they will never collaborate with us again!"

The General Manager waved his hands hastily.

"Let's not rush to call the police. The admin department has already clocked out. Submit the evidence to them on Monday, and we'll handle it then."

Julian Evans gave Evelyn a meaningful look.

"Think carefully over the next two days. If you show a good attitude in admitting your fault, I might treat this as a minor misunderstanding... If you remain obstinate, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

He left with the General Manager.

Her team from Group One gathered around her.

"Evelyn, is there some misunderstanding? Did you ask James Klein for help?"

Evelyn felt a warmth in her heart.

"I will prove my innocence."

She had considered revealing her identity directly.

But remembering how Jason Lawrence didn't believe her last time...

Her patent certificate and the company seal were both overseas with James Klein.

He was returning next Monday.

A slight smile touched Evelyn's lips.

Everyone's reaction then would be quite interesting...

After work, she entered the underground parking garage.

She got on the Bentley, still not seeing Alexander Vance.

Thomas Watson sat in the passenger seat.

"The boss is in a meeting. He asked me to take you home first."

Evelyn said calmly.

"I can take a cab."

"It's the boss's order." Thomas Watson glanced at her.

"Miss Ross, the research community despises theft and plagiarism. Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you have Mrs. Eleanor Vance and the boss's support."

Evelyn put on her headphones, blocking out his voice.

Thomas Watson fell silent.

The car arrived at the hospital.

Evelyn walked upstairs and was stopped on the second floor by William Ashcroft.

"Sophia wants to see you."

She followed him into the hospital room.

Sophia Ashcroft was preparing for discharge. Nancy Ashcroft had already packed their belongings.

Sophia Ashcroft grabbed her hand.

"Evelyn, what's this about stealing a proposal? I don't believe you would do such a thing!"

William Ashcroft sneered.

"The evidence is solid! Young Master Julian is giving the Ashcroft family face by warning you! Sophia, you trust her too much! She has Linda Lowell's blood. Nothing good can come from that!"

Sophia Ashcroft roared.

"Be quiet! Evelyn, speak!"

The concern in Sophia Ashcroft's eyes warmed Evelyn's heart.

She was about to speak when Isabella Ashcroft said.

"Evelyn, I know you want to achieve great things at Vance Group to gain Mr. Vance's approval... But you can't steal my proposal! If you wanted it, I could have given it to you!"

Evelyn sneered.

"Who exactly stole whose proposal?"

Isabella Ashcroft said.

"Are you trying to make me take the blame for you? Or are you saying it's just a coincidence that your proposal matches Dr. Nan's?"

Evelyn said calmly.

"It's not a coincidence. You stole my proposal."

"Nonsense!" William Ashcroft grabbed a broom and swung it at her.

"How dare you do something wrong and then falsely accuse your sister! I'll teach you a lesson!"

Sophia Ashcroft stepped forward.

"William, calm down!"

William Ashcroft sneered.

"Sophia, listen to her! An undergraduate dares to claim Dr. Nan's proposal as her own? Preposterous! This wretched girl isn't worth your worry!"

Sophia Ashcroft said anxiously.

"But if Vance Group involves the police, she could go to jail!"

She took out her phone.

"It will be fine as long as Dr. Nan doesn't pursue it. I'll contact Dr. Nan right now."

The dial tone of a WhatsApp call echoed through the hospital room.