Chapter 6

Watching all the reporters turn their cameras towards me, I felt a sudden rush of helplessness.

I hadn't expected Brandon to speak up for Chloe in public.

Even more, I hadn't expected Brandon to actually admit that I had plagiarized.

Through the crowd, I saw the mockery in Brandon's dark eyes.

He was waiting for me.

Waiting for me to beg him. As long as I asked, he would clarify everything.

But I didn't say a word to him.

I clenched my hands, looked at the reporters surrounding me, making it impossible to leave, then closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

When I opened them again, I had a composed look on my face.

"I did not plagiarize."

"You say you didn't plagiarize, but why are your designs identical to Miss Davis's?"

"Miss Davis has Mr. Hayes as a witness, and you have nothing. How can we believe you?"

"I believe her."

Just then, a resolute, magnetic male voice echoed from the venue entrance.

Following the sound, Liam Henderson stood there, impeccably dressed in a suit.

He walked through the crowd, directly to me, and gently took my hand.

"I believe Miss Maxwell did not plagiarize."

Liam's appearance caused another huge stir.

"Is that... is that Liam Henderson, the legendary CEO of 'Dream Horse' Group?"

"I can't believe he's so young."

"Right, he's never shown his face publicly in this country before. I thought he'd be some old man in his seventies or eighties, but he's so young and handsome!"

All cameras swiveled to Liam Henderson. In an instant, he became the focal point of the entire venue.

"Miss Maxwell and I grew up together. I've seen all her work, and I trust her character. She wouldn't do something like plagiarism."

Liam looked at me, his eyes sparkling.

"If there's no plagiarism, then what about the identical dresses on stage?"

At this, some of the instigators in the crowd spoke up again.

"Mr. Henderson, even if you grew up with her, people change. Don't be fooled by her."

As these words were spoken, many in the crowd started to agree.

Hearing the comments from the audience, I clearly felt the anger rising from Liam beside me.

I gently squeezed his hand, then calmly looked at the cameras.

"I have proof."

With that, I pulled out a USB drive from my bag.

Chloe didn't know that besides the main door, I had also installed a hidden camera in the small room where I usually sketched my designs.

That night, when Chloe came to wreck the studio, she also took my original drafts.

Even without the drafts, the finished product was already etched in my mind.

Seeing the evidence, the entire venue erupted in murmurs.

Eventually, all the accusations turned back to Chloe.

"How could this be?"

"No, I didn't..."

At this point, Chloe's explanations sounded weak and pathetic.

She once again cast a pleading look at Brandon.

"Brandon... Brandon..."

But Brandon just stood there, his face dark, his gaze fixed on my hand, still intertwined with Liam's.

After a long silence, the sudden sound of a microphone falling to the ground broke the clamor.

Brandon rose from the special guest section, his face expressionless.

His gaze swept over everyone in the room, finally resting on me.

After a long moment, he turned and left the venue.

"Brandon... Brandon..."

Watching Brandon leave, Chloe also panicked.

She tried to break free from the crowd and chase after him, but ended up tripping and falling to the ground.

The competition ultimately did not have a satisfactory conclusion.

I didn't win a prize, but Chloe was banned for life.