CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88: GOING HOME TOGETHER

In the past, Mia Quinn and Poppy Hale weren’t well acquainted.

They didn’t talk much afterward, only occasionally discussing work-related content.

As it was nearing the end of the workday, Mia Quinn sent Poppy Hale a document.

"Is there something off with the perspective in these images? I can’t quite tell, Poppy, could you take a look?"

Poppy Hale opened up the images.

Indeed, there were clear mistakes an amateur wouldn’t notice.

She opened Photoshop, made a few adjustments, annotated the issues, and sent it back to Mia Quinn.

"Ask them to make a few changes over there."

"Okay."

After examining the subsequent images, Poppy Hale became increasingly uneasy.

Some of the promotional images for the game clearly mirrored her style, yet she hadn’t drawn them.

In other words, someone in the game’s art team had plagiarized her previous illustrations.

Poppy Hale took a deep breath.

She took a moment to create a document compiling the evident cases of plagiarism, comparing them to Finn Young’s artwork.

It was obvious; some images weren’t merely plagiarized, but traced directly.

Being so familiar with her own style, she could instantly recognize the unique small details she had designed herself.

She clicked on Morgan Sloan’s profile and sent the document over.

Morgan Sloan quickly received it.

He immediately forwarded it to Declan Hawthorne.

Without hesitation, he said, "Young Hale, this is a serious issue. I don’t have the authority to handle it. Should she report directly to you?"

Declan Hawthorne replied, "Alright."

Opening Poppy Hale’s chat, Morgan Sloan messaged, "President Hawthorne instructed you to go to the President’s office. The company takes this issue very seriously."

Once arrangements were made on both sides,

Morgan Sloan finally opened Poppy Hale’s document and took a closer look at the issue.

Kidding aside, he had no idea what Young Hale was addressing.

His immediate reaction was to send her to the President’s office.

After a glance at the document, cold sweat dripped down Morgan Sloan’s forehead.

He then checked Finn Young’s social media account.

To his realization, it turned out to be the account of a recognized expert in the field.

He didn’t even need to review the comparisons listed by Poppy Hale; it was blatant plagiarism and tracing.

If this were exposed after the game’s release, it would spell disaster for the game.

Morgan Sloan immediately rushed to the art team.

Thankfully, Poppy Hale had discovered it!

-

He knocked on the President’s office door.

A deep voice came from inside, "Come in."

Upon entering, Declan Hawthorne slightly lifted his head.

"Close the door."

The door to the President’s office was closed, and Poppy Hale stood opposite the desk, calling his name.

"President Hawthorne."

"Hmm, I’ve seen the document you sent. Is it confirmed plagiarism?"

Poppy Hale nodded, "Confirmed. If we catch this early, there’s still room for amendments. If discovered after the game is released, it’s a different story."

Declan Hawthorne acknowledged, focusing on his computer screen, which was displaying the account page of the artist Poppy Hale mentioned.

The art style was indeed similar.

The artist did have quite a large fanbase.

A casual post by Finn Young last month had already garnered three hundred thousand likes.

"Since you also study art, do you have any suggestions on how to amend it?"

Poppy Hale shook her head.

"Is it not feasible to make a complete revision?"

"Timewise, it’s unrealistic."

Though there’s some time before the game launch.

But the amount of work to amend is overwhelming.

Poppy Hale insisted, "From what I see, the extent of amendments needed is equivalent to a complete overhaul. President Hawthorne, though you aren’t an expert in visual arts, if Finn Young finds out about these images and publishes them, the game’s lifespan is effectively over."

Declan Hawthorne paused for a moment, pondering.

"What about inviting that artist to design the game’s graphics? Is that feasible?"

His suggestion was earnest.

Poppy Hale was momentarily taken aback.

Theoretically, employing Finn Young as an artist for this game was feasible.

But practically, it was impossible.

Because she was Finn Young herself.

She couldn’t possibly split her identity, working in the company and simultaneously joining the art team under a different guise.

Poppy Hale shook her head and refused, "To my knowledge, this artist won’t agree to a regular studio job."

Declan Hawthorne gave a slight nod, tapping his fingers on the table.

On his finger was the ring he had once put on Poppy Hale’s finger at the hotel.

Afterwards, she returned it to him.

"About what happened last night," the man opened up as he continued to look at the computer screen.

Poppy Hale interrupted, "I understand. You were drunk."

Declan Hawthorne placed his hand over the mouse.

He looked up at her.

There was a significant distance between where she stood and him.

As if wary that he would turn into a wolf the moment she let her guard down.

Declan Hawthorne found it amusing.

"If you knew, then why did you block me?"

Poppy Hale took a deep breath.

His words implied as if she were the one at fault.

He had barged into her house late at night and kissed her.

And then over the phone, insisted she not hang up.

Poppy Hale glanced at her phone.

It was already after work hours.

"I felt offended. Was blocking you not appropriate?"

Declan Hawthorne put down the mouse, closed the webpage, and got up to approach her.

Poppy Hale took a step back.

Declan Hawthorne didn’t seem to mind.

Leaning on the desk, he closed the distance between them.

"I was drunk, but I was quite sober."

Poppy Hale bit her lower lip.

Every drunk person claims to be sober.

Ask them to walk in a straight line; not one can manage it.

Poppy Hale didn’t bother to argue, stubbornly retorting, "I was quite sober when I blocked you too. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading out."

She still needed to pick up Florence from school.

Declan Hawthorne raised an eyebrow, "Florence went to Iris Quill’s home today. Didn’t the teacher tell you?"

Poppy Hale was taken aback.

She hadn’t checked her phone during work.

As she pulled it out now, Florence had sent her a slew of messages.

All voice notes.

"Mom, I’m heading to Iris Quill’s home. Could you pick me up at Aunt York’s later?"

"Mom, I’m having dinner now, and it’s delicious."

"Mom, kisses."

The successive messages were sent while playing with Iris Quill’s toys.

She sounded genuinely happy.

There was also a message from the kindergarten teacher, inquiring if Poppy Hale could let Iris Quill’s parents pick Florence up.

Followed by a video.

Iris Quill was holding Florence’s hand. The two sat together.

Looking at the camera held by the teacher.

Iris Quill said, "Florence’s mom is my aunt. We’re family."

Florence echoed, "Uncle Hawthorne is my dad."

Since they were family, and Poppy Hale had previously taken Iris Quill home together,

the teacher let them go.

Poppy Hale: "..."

Heather Underwood also sent her a message.

A video of the two children eating together.

They both behaved well.

Poppy Hale breathed a sigh of relief, but due to the children’s comments, her face was slightly flushed.

The voice notes from earlier, in her haste, she had played them out loud.

Plus, the video sound, all heard by Declan Hawthorne.

These two kids.

Just to play together after school, they dared to say anything.

As for the man in front of her,

his eyes and eyebrows were bursting with amusement.

It was as if what the two kids had blurted out wasn’t nonsense but something that genuinely pleased him.

Poppy Hale explained, "They were just making things up. I should go pick Florence up now. I’m sorry for troubling Iris Quill’s mom."

Recently, Iris Quill and Heather Underwood have been residing in the Hawthorne Family.

Mrs. Hawthorne wanted to live with her sister and wasn’t at ease with Heather Underwood and her son living alone. The Hawthorne Family was spacious enough, so they simply stayed together.

Declan Hawthorne smirked.

"They’re all at my place, so let’s go back together."

No one knew.

When he said "let’s go back together," a hint of delight blossomed in his heart.