After a brief silence, the scene erupted into an uproar.
People started gossiping unrestrainedly.
"I never expected the truth to be like this. Lila is actually the original creator, and Suzy is the plagiarist. She even turns the tables and accuses Lila of plagiarism. How shameless!"
"Could this video be fake?"
"It shouldn't be fake. I paid attention just now; their lip movements match, and the expressions are genuine. It's definitely not something high-tech can fake."
"If this video is true, then Lila has really been wrongly accused..."
"Even more infuriating is Suzy. Her previous works were actually ghostwritten. It's a shock to my beliefs..."
"And Leah, colluding with Suzy. Could her works also be ghostwritten?"
"I think it's highly likely."
Every word from the crowd reached the ears of Suzy and Leah.
Suzy's face turned red with blood. Her hands clenched into fists. She bit her lower lip so hard it bled, unaware of the pain.
Samantha continued, "The woman in the video is named Karen, my childhood friend who grew up with me. Another friend she used as a scapegoat, Yurika, is also our childhood friend. I never expected her to collude with Suzy, not only plagiarizing my design but also falsely accusing our other friend. This led to a rift between me and that friend."
The balance in everyone's hearts tilted entirely in Samantha's favor. They comforted her, "It's not too late to know the truth now. That friend will surely forgive you!"
Samantha didn't respond and continued, "As for the design presented today, it's indeed my work from three years ago!"
She then looked at Lena Stanton.
Lena quickly took off a necklace hidden in her clothes and handed it to Samantha.
Samantha presented the necklace to everyone.
Under the spotlight, the necklace emitted a dazzling brilliance.
It was identical to the sketch.
Everyone was shocked, looking at the necklace in Samantha's hand.
Samantha slowly explained, "You may not know, but three years ago, I was still a newcomer in the jewelry industry. When I faced rejection while job hunting with my work, I coincidentally met Miss Stanton's mother.
Miss Stanton's mother fell in love with my work at first sight, bought it at a high price, and had it designed into a necklace for Miss Stanton.
My career started to take off from that point.
Miss Stanton's mother can be said to be my benefactor, my patron.
This time, when I was falsely accused by Suzy, I had to seek Miss Stanton's mother's help to stage this act.
It's just to tell everyone the truth and clear my name."
The crowd remained silent.
Feeling extremely guilty for the previous attacks on Lila, Suzy's eyes turned bloodshot. Like a wild beast on the brink of madness, she crazily ran up to Samantha, grabbing her arm tightly and shaking her violently.
"Conspiracy! All of this is your conspiracy! You vile woman! How dare you deceive me? Did you never suspect Yurika from the beginning? Did you know all along that it was a collusion between Karen and me?"
No wonder. She had mentioned that the competition organized by the Stanton family this time had such a strange process.
Usually, when designing jewelry for private clients, the process involves presenting the design to the client, and if they like it, they proceed with the collaboration. If not, they straightforwardly reject it.
This was the first time a private jewelry design was organized with such grandeur, involving both hosts and journalists, almost like a small-scale competition.
It turned out to be a staged act by Samantha and the Stanton family.
Samantha ruthlessly broke free from her grip, pushing her away. She looked at Suzy coldly and emotionlessly, saying, "Yes, I never suspected Yurika from the beginning. Do you really think I'm foolish? Did you believe that making that phone call would make me suspect Yurika? Everyone in the world may betray me, but Yurika never will."
Suzy's face turned ashen, full of despair.
It's over.
Everything she had painstakingly built was destroyed by Samantha.
She broke down, trying to rush towards Samantha.
The servants from the Stanton family immediately rushed forward and restrained her.
Ignoring the pain, she struggled frantically.
"Let go of me! I am Ethan Steele's fiancée. If you dare touch me, Ethan won't let you off..."
Yoda Stanton sneered, "Rest assured, we won't harm you. We'll just hand you over to Ethan and let him deal with you! If he chooses to condone your actions, I won't interfere further."
After finishing speaking, he gestured to the servant holding onto Suzy. The servant immediately dragged the crying and noisy Suzy out. All of this was broadcasted live on the internet, causing a huge sensation.
"So, Suzy is the real plagiarist. She's shameless, accusing others while being a thief herself. How can there be such a shameless person!"
"I heard they are half-sisters, born months apart."
"Does this mean her mother was the third party who replaced Lila's mother, driving Lila out and shamelessly taking her place?"
"I didn't know Lila before, but I searched online just now. She has won so many awards, and each of her designs is meaningful. I really like her work. I'll make sure to choose her designs for my wedding in the future."
"Lila's growth process is more dramatic than all the melodramatic dramas I've ever seen in wealthy families..."
Netizens overwhelmingly sided with Samantha.
The designers present also apologized to Samantha. Leah, feeling utterly embarrassed, took advantage of the moment when everyone was apologizing to Samantha and quietly left.
After all the designers left, Samantha walked up to Mrs. Stanton with a smiling face, extending her hand. Gratefully, she said, "Mrs. Stanton, thank you very much. If it weren't for your painstaking effort to act in this play with me, I might never have cleared my name."
Mrs. Stanton shook Samantha's hand, smiling, "We've been friends for so many years. When I saw you being wronged, how could I sit idly by? I'm glad you thought of me!"
Touched, tears welled up in Samantha's eyes, and she hugged Mrs. Stanton excitedly. "Thank you so much, truly grateful!"
She thanked Mrs. Stanton for believing in her when she was wrongly accused, for readily agreeing to help when she sought assistance, and for participating wholeheartedly in this act.
Mrs. Stanton gently patted her back, then released her, placing Lena's hand into Samantha's. "My daughter has been influenced by you and is now very interested in jewelry design. She wants to apprentice under you. I hope you won't mind her foolishness and will patiently teach her."
Without hesitation, Samantha agreed. "I am honored that Miss Stanton doesn't mind. I will definitely teach her well and not let you down."
She had interacted with Lena before. She is innocent and lively. Well-behaved. She also had a very high talent for jewelry.
Indeed, she was a good candidate for a jewelry designer.
She would teach her well.
Lena looked happily at Samantha and sweetly called out, "Teacher."
Samantha couldn't help but smile. "Nice to meet you, and I look forward to working together in the future..."
***