Chapter 20
Chapter 20:
“This is the certified patent document JE applied for. The patterns and details match flawlessly with the design. This proves without a doubt that the rightful creator of this design is…”
This revelation struck Delilah and Laurie like a bolt of lightning. The weight of the patent was undeniable—it overshadowed any arguments they could make about the modification timestamps on the USB drive’s design.
“Oh my God! Did Delilah actually steal JE’s design?”
“But how? JE and Delilah don’t even know each other. How on earth could she have stolen it?”
“Don’t you get it? Janice and JE are friends. JE showed Janice the design, and Delilah ended up stealing it. Tsk, thinking back on Delilah and Laurie’s charade earlier, it’s just utterly disgusting.”
“Disgusting barely covers it. It’s downright infuriating. To think they painted themselves as the victims. I actually pitied them before. Now, I feel like slapping myself for believing their story.”
“Watch Delilah putting on that innocent act. What a master of deception!”
Janice, overhearing the chatter, reveled in a quiet sense of triumph, sparing her the hassle of outing Delilah’s misdemeanors herself.
“Delilah, you stole JE’s design and passed it off as your own creation for this contest. Given your knack for feigning innocence, I might have overlooked it. If you’re going to steal, at least take the finished design. Why grab something that’s only half-done?”
Janice’s accusation left Delilah exposed and ashamed.
“Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present the final version of this design,” Janice declared, snapping her fingers.
Layne promptly projected the completed design, capturing everyone’s attention.
Lɑτєѕτ cнαρτєrs 𝑖n g𝓪l𝗇ovєl𝑠.𝓬o𝓶
When the final version of the design was unveiled, the room fell into awestruck silence. The gap between the initial version and the final was stark and undeniable. The flamboyance of the earlier design had been tempered, resulting in a more subdued elegance that carried a distinct charm. The garment’s craftsmanship was impeccable, leaving an indelible impression on all who viewed it.
“This is precisely where JE’s talent should position her!”
“After all my years in the industry, achieving even a fraction of JE’s skill would be the pinnacle of my career.”
“Delilah, you despicable thief, get off the stage! You’re a disgrace to the fashion industry, a parasite. You have no business calling yourself a designer.”
In a flash of anger, an audience member flung a bottle of mineral water at Delilah. It struck her, dousing her face and ruining her polished look.
“Stop it!” Laurie bellowed, stepping in front of Delilah with fierce protectiveness, her voice booming through the chaos. “If you want to get to my daughter, you’ll have to go through me first!”
“Mrs. Edwards, you’re a disgrace as well. You shield your daughter, knowing full well she stole JE’s design. You bring dishonor upon our profession!”
“Oh, the irony. Mrs. Edwards must be delusional. She has such a strong affection for her adopted daughter that she is willing to sever ties with her real daughter, disregarding her bond with JE. It’s like she’s gone completely insane.”
“I’ve heard that Mrs. Edwards’ company is failing to deliver on a project. If her biological daughter had simply reached out to JE for help, all of this could have been avoided.”
These words resonated deeply with Laurie, leaving her momentarily speechless. Indeed, Janice and JE shared a bond akin to that of sisters. If Janice were to ask JE for a favor, wouldn’t the problem be solved effortlessly? Yet, how could she have guessed that Janice, who typically sought only her approval, would form such a close connection with JE? Now that the truth had dawned on her, it felt almost unbelievable.
.
.
.