Samantha had anticipated the outcome early, but she remained calm and signaled the staff with a glance.
The scene on the large screen shifted.
The design drawing suddenly disappeared, replaced by a different scene.
The video was set in a study.
Samantha sat behind a desk, engrossed in her work.
The video played in fast forward.
According to the time display above the video, she had been working from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Finally, the work was completed.
She picked up the design draft and checked it repeatedly.
The content on the design draft was presented in its entirety.
It was precisely the design that Suzy had just competed with.
The people in the room exchanged glances, their hearts wavering, but stubbornly refusing to believe the video content.
After all, in this day and age, technology is advanced.
Everything can be fabricated.
However, Suzy's face turned deathly pale.
Her body uncontrollably trembled slightly.
Sweat formed on her nervous palms.
She recognized the background in the video.
It was the study in Karen's house.
From the perspective of the video, it looked like surveillance footage.
So, did Samantha secretly install surveillance in the study?
"If it's true, then she..."
"I know you won't believe it. After all, some people are too good at acting. It's normal for you to be deceived with your blind eyes!" Samantha had guessed they wouldn't believe her and signaled the staff to play the next part.
A moment later, the scene on the big screen shifted again.
Samantha put the design draft in the drawer, time rapidly moved forward, and after about two hours, a gentle-looking woman entered everyone's view.
This person was Karen.
The moment Suzy saw Karen, she could no longer sit still.
Rising abruptly, her emotions flaring, Suzy exclaimed, "Samantha, what exactly are you trying to do? The evidence is clear. Do you think everyone will believe the fabricated evidence you've created?"
Samantha raised an eyebrow, sneering, "In a hurry? Feeling guilty? Afraid I'll expose your true colors?"
Suzy forcefully defended herself, "Nonsense! I have nothing to fear. I'm innocent."
Samantha's expression turned stern as she said sharply, "If you're not afraid, then just watch! Otherwise, I'll think you're a guilty thief."
Suzy's face turned red with anger.
She glared fiercely at Samantha.
Everyone present could sense the tension between them.
Instantly, curiosity surged among the onlookers.
"Miss Suzy, Lila is right. If you're right, what do you have to fear? If she really forged evidence, you can also sue her for defamation."
"We can't tolerate a plagiarist, but we shouldn't wrongly accuse a good person."
"Yes! Miss Suzy, don't get angry first. Whether it's true or false, we can distinguish it. We won't let her falsely accuse you."
Suzy's anger surged.
She gave Leah a cold look.
Leah immediately stepped forward to speak for her.
"We're clear about Miss Suzy's character and abilities. Lila might be using some tricks. Let's not be deceived by her again."
Samantha had long found her displeasing and responded expressionlessly, "What are you? With my reputation and position in the jewelry industry, what qualifications do you have to speak to me?"
Although she hadn't integrated into their circle in the capital, her reputation in the jewelry industry was globally renowned.
Leah was no match for her.
During her time abroad, even the First Lady had personally approached her for jewelry design.
If not for revenge, why would she return and start anew here?
Leah felt humiliated by her insult, hier face alternating between pale and red.
She shut her mouth in frustration.
The video continued.
In the footage, the woman opened a drawer, took out Samantha's sketches, carefully examined them, and then dialed a phone number.
"Suzy, Samantha's design is done. She's out now. Hurry over..."
In less than a moment, Suzy rushed over.
Unaware of the surveillance, she made no effort to conceal herself.
Confidently appearing on camera, she picked up Samantha's sketches and examined them repeatedly. Her eyes gleamed with malicious jealousy.
"The heavens are truly unfair, granting Samantha such high design talent, while I can only secure a place in the jewelry industry through ghostwriting."
Trying to please, Karen said, "So what if her talent is good? In the end, she's just a pawn at your beck and call. She won't last long in the jewelry industry. Ultimately, she's making your bridal gown."
Suzy immediately shifted from anger to a smile.
"You're right! No matter how good her talent is, it's no match for a powerful background! This time, I want to ruin her reputation completely, make her never recover, and disappear from the jewelry industry forever."
After saying this, she took out a check and handed it to Karen.
"You've done well these two times. Last time, you stole her design for me and even got Yurika to be the scapegoat. This time, she might become suspicious of you, so you need to come up with a way to clear yourself."
Karen took the check happily, grinding her teeth, "I've long wanted to stop pretending. If she finds out, so be it! She claims we're best friends but still competes with me for Justin. I hate her."
Suzy glared at her.
"You can't break ties with her now! I still have many things for you to do!"
Reluctantly, Karen nodded, "Fine! I'll figure out a way to clear my name."
Suzy nodded in satisfaction.
Sitting at the desk, she quickly copied Samantha's design from the sketches.
Due to her foundation, she quickly replicated an identical copy.
This time, she left the original sketches for Samantha and placed the copied version in the folder she had brought.
Worried, Karen asked, "Suzy, why are you leaving the original sketches with her? Won't that raise suspicions?"
Confidently, Suzy replied, "Don't worry. This time, I'll bribe the staff to arrange my turn before Samantha's. Then, I'll use Leah to stir up public opinion... If we use the same trick twice, it loses its meaning."
Karen instantly understood. She nodded in realization, a face of admiration.
"Suzy, you're so smart. I hope you can get rid of her quickly. I've been pretending to be friendly with her every day, and it makes me sick."
Suzy nodded, determined, "That day will come soon."
After saying that, she left triumphantly.
The video ended.
Silence enveloped the scene.
You could hear a pin drop.
Everyone seemed to have heard something incredibly unbelievable, holding their breath, looking at Suzy in disbelief, unable to snap out of it for a while.
Leah kept his head down, blushing to the point of bleeding, almost burying her head in her chest, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.
Suzy felt as if she were submerged in ice, her whole body cold. The taut string in her mind seemed to snap. Her face drained of color. Like a lifeless corpse. She was entirely engulfed in despair.
It's over.
Completely over.
This time, it's truly over.
Concrete evidence.
She didn't even have a plausible excuse.
‘Damn Samantha, she secretly installed surveillance in the study.’
‘Wait...’
Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and looked sharply at Samantha.
‘Could it be that Samantha had suspected Karen all along, so she intentionally staged this act?’
‘Impossible!’
‘Didn't she already break ties with Yurika?’
***