Chapter 18
Chapter 18:
“Fine, I accept.” Delilah pondered for a brief moment before agreeing, convinced that Janice couldn’t possibly escalate the situation over such a trivial challenge. Did Janice still think she was allergic to mango? Actually, mango was her favorite fruit. A chuckle escaped Janice’s lips. She had anticipated a bit of resistance, but Delilah had capitulated far more easily than expected. With a sly grin, she muttered under her breath, “Let the show begin.”
“So, Janice, where’s that proof you’re talking about?” Delilah pressed, her voice soft yet her eyes piercing with determination. She was confident Janice’s challenge was nothing more than a ploy. After all, she had meticulously covered her tracks, leaving no evidence behind.
“Ladies and gentlemen, surely you all know me as JE’s best friend, correct?” Janice scanned the room, her query hanging in the air. Heads nodded in agreement around the room, a silent testament to her claimed bond—even Layne had endorsed it.
“Janice, are you exploiting your connection to JE to wrongfully accuse me of stealing your design?” Delilah’s voice carried a touch of indignation. “Though JE is esteemed by all here, I trust that doesn’t blind them to the truth. And just because you’re JE’s friend doesn’t give you the right to oppress the innocent.”
Janice shook her head. “Let me ask again—when did I ever claim you stole my design?”
Caught completely off guard, Delilah let out a sharp scoff. “What then? Are you insinuating that I stole JE’s design? Ha-ha!” The tension broke momentarily as Laurie chuckled alongside her. “Enough of this charade, you ungrateful girl! Apologize now, and perhaps I can convince Delilah to overlook this debacle.”
“That’s right—you’ve stolen JE’s design.” Janice’s abrupt accusation cut through the air like a blade.
“Delilah stole from JE? How can that be?”
“Everyone knows JE is famously elusive and never shows her face. So how could Delilah have stolen her design? That’s impossible!”
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“No way! Delilah’s design, though impressive, doesn’t mirror JE’s signature style. Known for her meticulous perfection, JE would never endorse such a piece.”
The room buzzed with wild speculation and theories.
Janice remained poised, a hint of amusement flickering across her face as she watched Delilah, who stood there bewildered.
Delilah racked her brain, trying to understand how Janice could brazenly accuse her of such a deceitful act. She knew well that JE’s devoted followers in the room would defend their idol fiercely without her needing to utter a single word.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” Janice suddenly called out, silencing the room as she brandished a USB drive along with a document in the air. “Here, I hold the original drafts and the patent certificate, courtesy of my friend.”
“Janice, haven’t you had enough already?” Laurie snapped, her patience finally wearing thin. “By making these baseless accusations against Delilah, you’re not just claiming she stole JE’s design—you’ve even gone so far as to fabricate evidence. Are you seriously aiming to get locked up?”
“Mom, please, calm down. Janice—”
“Could you both just shut it for a second?” Janice interrupted, her tone laced with irritation. “Must I endure your endless bickering? Believe me, it’s hardly music to my ears.”
Janice’s harsh retort caught everyone off guard. For someone graced with such striking beauty, her brusque speech seemed at odds with her pretty features.
Aiden, however, found this bold, outspoken woman much more captivating than her formerly meek demeanor.
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