The Alder family all agree to lay low and watch the Elderedge family. The Eldredge family has been scheming, but the Alder family has been countering them secretly. As the weeks went by, Sophia was only restrained to crutches, and she was helping her father trademark the company products before the Elderedge launched their designs.
"Dad, we are going to need to trademark these immediately," Sophia said she typed away and sent documents to a lawyer right away. The lawyer she was recommended was Lucas's lawyer, who gets things done fast.
"Sophia, remember to use encrypted emails," Tom said as he looked through the paperwork. Meanwhile, Leon was looking at the stocks out of punishment to see if there was a change in the Eldredge family stocks.
"Sophia, I don't see anything yet," Leon called out to Sophia, who nodded and kept faxing and emailing documents.
".....Finished! Everything should be trademarked by tomorrow, and if the media doesn't believe it, we have dates and proof. Our other partnerships got a heads up, and those who've been victimized by the Eldredge family." Sophia smiled as she put the papers away and glanced up at her father.
Leon sighed in relief as he looked up from the computer. "I'm sorry for the trouble I caused guys." Leon's voice quivered as he looked down again but at his own bandaged hands.
"Dear, it's time to go." A voice ranged from the halls as Sophia took her crutches and smiled. "Sophia, where are you?"
"I'm in the study" Sophia called back as she grabbed the folder off the desk.
Lucas walked in. He looked sophisticated as always as he walked towards Sophia, leaving a kiss on her forehead.
"Lucas, is everything set?" Sophia pursed her lips into a playful pout.
"Yes, Dear, I even paid a girl to act like a maid for the Eldredge family. She managed to catch some interesting footage earlier today of Hector's conversation with a client over the phone. We don't know who he's talking to, but that's another mystery itself." Lucas pulled out his phone, showing Sophia the video as they walked out of the office.
"Maybe they strung another family into their scheme...or they have a source of funding for this somewhere else." Stated Sophia as she pondered the video, but only by the sound of Lucas's phone ringing.
"I got to take this. It could be the maid." Stated Lucas as he guided Sophia through the house and outside.
"They're doing what? They're holding a press conference immediately?" Lucas's eyes widened then his face turned into a mischievous smirk. "I'll tell the lawyer to hurry and slip him a couple of bucks to give to the copyright company to make sure the design gets patent and official immediately."
"The Eldredge family is trying to pull a fast one. They know that they can beat us to the punch if we don't patent our designs and accuse us of plagiarism first," stated Sophia as Lucas opened the car door for her and hung up the call.
"Well, let's see if they succeed. I highly doubt it but we can sit back and watch the shit show that is about to unfold." Lucas smirked as he got in the car and took off quickly to make it to the press conference.
***********At the Eldredge company Press Room************
Regina's smirk was wide, and with greed, she watched her father's personal assistant directly greet the guests of the conference. She was satisfied not only would she be the "owner" of the legendary design that was announced earlier today, but her family would rise to the top.
As Regina walked backstage, he saw her father directing the sesetupuofer presentation and reporters with backstage reporting. A reporter came up to her with a grin, and Regina noticed something different about the reporter t he stance and arrogance written on their faces." Ms. Regina, how is your product launch? We heard it is legendary! A new device for health care workers to check for hereditary traits in a child and a possible genius drug to create child prodigies? When did you become so invested in the medical field, Miss Eldredge? I thought the Elderedge family was invested in the entertainment technology field; n,ot medicine thought the Alder family specializes in that."
Regina was speechless as the reporter 'srin almost got to her, and she breathed a shaky sigh of nervousness. "Please hold your questions until after the press conference. Regina smiled nervously as she grabbed the folder from her assistant and went up the stage with full confidence. The rest of the Elderedge family sat up; he noticed people in the crowd: Sophia and Lucas.
Regina smirked as she knew she had the upper hand, but suddenly, the intense look in Lucas'syes caused her to worry more, ; what were they doing here? Did Alexander purposely invite them behind her back?
"Well, Welcome everyone to our new product unch collection for medical technology created by me and with the support of the Elderedge family. ", Regina stated as she smiled and walked over to a presentation screen.
'Ha, what a joke...Stealing what's not yours little miss Regina? You dare make the Alder family look like fools? Wait until your turn on that PowerPoint slide. My family worked too hard on those medication and technology designs', Sophia thought as she clutched her dress in anger, and Lucas huffed in satisfaction as he knew the embarrassment that would befall the Elderedge family.
"Now presenting product number 1" .Regina smiled as she pulled the next slide, causing the room to go extremely quiet, and everyone looked at the PowerPoint with disbelief. Regina thought the product must have caused everyone to be so shocked and look disbelief.
As Regina parted her lips and turned to the design on the PowerPoint it shocked her to learn that the signatures and seals on the product had the Alder Family logo and trademark.
'H-How? How could this happen?'
As she slowly turned around, the reporters quickly flooded the room with questions.
"Miss Regina! Did you steal the Alder family's patent designs and call it your own?"
"Miss Regina! Over here! Who actually designed the designs you or the Alder family!"
"Miss Regina!"
"Miss Regina!"
Regina's head was spinning, her breathing was labored, she almost felt like she was going to pass out, and nausea took over her as she stumbled to the floor. The blinding lights of camera flashes and the TV cameras made the room spin as she watched two figures walk out the auditorium door as she collapsed.
"Mission complete." Sophia smiled as she was guided by Lucas outside of the company press room.
The headlines quickly came out that Regina, the eldest daughter of the Elderedge family, stole designs from the Alder family, and more information leaked that she got them from Leon by sending people to beat him for the information and designs.
**********Eldredge Home*********
Regina trembled on the couch as she buried her face in her knees as her mother tried to calm her down. Regina's face was red with embarrassment. As Sara tried to calm down, suddenly Regina hyperventilated. Hector came in smoking a cigarette as Regina suddenly looked up.
"Regina, you should leave the country..." Hector stated quietly as he took another puff of cigarette smoke.
"What?! Why?!" She cried as she ran over to her father.
"Because Regina, your reputation is ruined! You are labeled as a dirty thief!" Hector's voice became firm and it scared Regina.
"B-But! You said it would be a good idea, you-!"
Before she could continue, a slap came across her face, and her eyes went dull as she held her cheek sobbing. Sara ran to her daughter's aid as she kneeled down and held Regina.
"Sara, say goodbye to your daughter! Make it a pretty good goodbye, because she's going to Europe for good!"
Sara's eyes widened as she slowly rubbed Regina's back as Regina sobbed harder.
"She embarrassed our family with this incident," Hector stated as he smoked some more.
"Why are you biased towards your kids, Hector?! Regina only had one slip but Alexander had many!" Cried Sara as she held Regina tighter.
"Because I never wanted a daughter." Stated Hector as he walked out and the sound of those words was enough to silence her.
Everyone in the mansion can hear Regina's sobs and cries as she pleads with her father not to send her away, but it is futile. Regina was no longer a resident of the Eldredge Mansion.
.