Chapter 466

Erica's gaze drifted toward the untouched plates before she inquired,′′Ms. Green, were you expecting company here?"

Judie fought to maintain her composure while facing the woman seated opposite her-someone carrying the exact features of the CEO. She replied evenly, "Yes, I met a friend here for a brief discussion. When you contacted me, I had just concluded the meeting and thus gave you this location."

Erica responded with a practiced smile, "I see, Ms. Green. Shall we move to another table and order some fresh dishes? We can talk over dinner-my treat."

Judie dismissed the suggestion with a swift hand motion. "There's no need for that. Let's keep to the point.Why the sudden desire for a talk? At such a sensitive time, isn't it inappropriate for our two companies to meet in private?"

The faint curve of Erica's lips briefly wavered before settling once more. "That's a fair point, Ms. Green-perhaps it wasn't the most prudent choice. But I requested this meeting specifically to address the plagiarism issue. Online chatter is overwhelmingly accusing Luminara Group of imitating our Aurora Court Studio, and momentum appears to.be tipping toward our side."

Judie held her eyes without flinching. "Luminara Group has promptly released a formal statement and presented the original design timeline. Public opinion is still split. Eventually, the truth will come out."

Erica chuckled, her expression sharpening with intrigue. "Truly admirable, Ms. Green. Your swift counter and sharp mind are impressive. Your elevating the Celestial Voyage initiative to its current stage couldn't have been easy." She smoothly changed the subject. "Interested in working with me?"

Judie responded with well-placed surprise, "Oh? So you're trying to poach me?"

Judie raised her voice deliberately so the listeners behind the screen would catch every syllable.

Behind the screen, Hannah and Vincent locked eyes, clearly startled. Just a poaching attempt? Could it Before Erica could reply, Judie sat up straight."|appreciate the offer, but Luminara Group's been good to me. Our CEO gave me a chance to prove my worth, and I'm not about to leave. Regarding Aurora Court Studio-the copying is obvious. You should pull the game offline, issue a public apology, and restore the Jones Group's reputation."

Erica blinked, briefly thrown off by her sudden show of loyalty and sharp retort, and then released a low,unreadable laugh. "Heh... Ms. Green, there's no need to get worked up. I never said I wanted to bring you onto the Aurora Court Studio."

She reclined slowly, her eyes calculating. "The collaboration I'm suggesting is something else entirely."

Judie's brow twitched, uncertain. "Something else? What doyou mean?"

Erica began lightly tapping the surface of the table with her fingernail. "I'm offering one hundred million dollars."

Judie naturally assumed the sum was meant to settle the intellectual theft dispute and gave a quick laugh."One hundred million as compensation? MMs. Scott, you can't be serious. The damages Luminara Group has taken from Aurora Court Studio's plagiarism go well beyond that figure. A hundred million won't even begin to cover it."

Erica's lips lifted into a cool, enigmatic smirk. "That amount isn't intended for your company."

Judie's confusion only deepened. "Not for Luminara Group? Therwho is it meant for? Don't tell me you're planning to spend that on bots and internet trolls. So this isn't about hiring me or negotiating terms-you're just here to corner us into submission?"

Judie kept Hannah's instructions in mind, steering the conversation step by step.

"Ms. Green, you do have quite the imagination." Erica dropped the pretense, her tone dropping to an icy directness. "I'll be blunt-this hundred million is meant for you."

From behind the screen, Hannah and Vincent grasped her true intention instantly-she was attempting to buy off Judie and make her the scapegoat. Judie stared at her, stunned. "For me? You're offering a bribe?"

Erica studied her reaction with evident satisfaction. "That's correct. One nod from you and the money's yours."

"You're bribing me-what exactly are you asking in return?" Judie pressed.

Erica leaned forward slightly, her tone level and unhurried. "It's simple. You say you led your team to plagiarize Aurora Court Studio's Dustfall Era. You admit that Luminara Group deliberately cloned the product to dominate the market. Then you make a public apology and leave your post. That will close the Chapter.That way, Luminara Group keeps some credibility, and you walk away with a fortune. Not a bad deal, right?"