Chapter 31 The Controversy at the Birthday Banquet (Part 3)
Dahlia’s voice was loud, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
Zoey looked at the old lady and said solemnly, “I didn’t plagiarize. This is my design.”
Dahlia scoffed. “An identical design, and you claim it’s not plagiarism? Who would believe that? Ariana is a designer at Born Beauty! You’ve only been at Born Beauty for a month- what could you possibly design? Zoey, apologize to the old lady immediately. She’s always generous and will surely forgive you.”
Zoey responded calmly, “You’ve never trusted me–not in the past, and not now. But I didn’t plagiarize. This is my original work.
Dahlia glared at her. “If you didn’t plagiarize, are you saying Ariana did?”
“You seem capable of making that judgment yourself,” Zoey replied, turning to Ariana. “Ariana, think carefully before you speak. Did I plagiarize you?”
Ariana pressed her lips together and looked at the old lady. “Grandmother, this is truly my design. I don’t know why Zoey’s brooch design is identical to mine,” she said with a forced smile. “Maybe it’s just one of those twin telepathy moments.”
Dahlia snorted. “That’s absurd. Even the details are identical!
D001%
Chapter 31 The Contravery an Hothday Banguri (Pa
Who would believe it’s telepathy?”
Russell took Zoey’s hand and said, “I trust Zoey. If she says it’s her original design, I believe her. After all, it’s impossible for an S–level designer from Galaxy Studio to plagiarize a designer from Born Beauty.”
Livia froze. “What?”
Russell sneered. “Did you not hear me?”
Livia looked incredulous. “Zoey isn’t a designer at Born Beauty anymore? How did she end up at Galaxy Studio, and as an S- level designer? That’s impossible! Nelson, is this true?”
Reluctantly, Nelson nodded.
Livia laughed awkwardly. “Russell must have had a hand in this!”
“This has nothing to do with Russell,” said a clear and crisp
voice.
The crowd turned to see Leanna approaching in a sleek black gown. She walked up to the old lady. “Madam Marlene, I’m Leanna, Gerardo Spence’s youngest daughter. Happy birthday to you.”
The old lady nodded. “Thank you, Leanna.”
Leanna smiled. “Everyone might not know this, but Zoey is an S- level designer at Galaxy Studio, hired with an annual salary of two hundred million plus a 10% sales commission.”
The crowd gasped.
Someone murmured, “I remember Galaxy Studio offering this
Chapter 31 The Controverty at the Birthday Hampel (Part 3)
package to their designer Star.”
1200 An
Leanna nodded. “That’s correct. So how could such an outstanding designer plagiarize an ordinary one?”
Dahlia, outraged on behalf of her daughter, retorted, “Who’s to say Zoey wasn’t hired because of Russell’s influence?”
Leanna sneered. “I’ve never seen a mother like you–treating your twin daughters so differently! Ariana stole Zoey’s samples to get into the entertainment industry and used Zoey as a voice double for so long, yet you didn’t criticize her and even protected her. Now that Zoey has achieved something, instead of being proud, you doubt her abilities. I can’t understand it. How could such a talented daughter be treated so poorly by her own mother?”
Dahlia was taken aback and stammered, “I’m just stating facts. As far as I know, Zoey didn’t produce any notable designs while. at Born Beauty.”
Zoey turned to Ariana. “Then where did my quality designs go?”
Ariana’s expression faltered. She feared Zoey would publicly reveal that the designs attributed to her were actually Zoey’s. After the voice–doubling scandal, she couldn’t afford another revelation that would destroy her reputation.
Forcing a smile, Ariana said, “People often say twins have a special connection. This must just be one of those moments where Zoey and I thought alike.”
This particular design was one Zoey had created but hadn’t yet delivered to Ariana. Ariana had seen it in Zoey’s office the day before her engagement party and memorized it, leading to the
Chapter 31 The Controentry at the Nothday Banquet (Part 3)
current situation.
Since Zoey had burned the original drafts, directly confronting Ariana would do no good.
Zoey smiled faintly. “Ariana, the truth speaks for itself.”
Ariana smiled back. “Of course, Zoey.”
Zoey then addressed the old lady. “This peony brooch design is simple and elegant, making it perfect for older women. It symbolizes prosperity and wealth. However, the brooch would be better in purple rather than red, as purple has always been a sign of good fortune. The gemstone is tanzanite, which, with its top–tier saturation, clarity, and cut quality, represents only 1% of global production.”
Ariana clenched her teeth in frustration, silently fuming at Zoey‘ s eloquence. Although Zoey hadn’t explicitly accused her of plagiarism, her thorough analysis made it clear who the superior designer was.
The old lady nodded repeatedly. “Zoey, you’ve analyzed this very well. This brooch indeed suits purple better, and its meaning is wonderful. I like it very much.”
Her statement indirectly validated Zoey’s design, despite accusations of plagiarism.
Alonso, who had been watching quietly, laughed. “Twin telepathy, huh? I wonder if this kind of coincidence will happen again. It could be quite entertaining.”
Leanna smirked. “The odds seem slim now–especially since they’ll be far apart.”
Chapter 31 the Controversy at the helling fange
Her words carried a double meaning.
The crowd, full of sharp minds, understood and left it at that. After all, this was Marlene’s birthday banquet, and escalating the situation further would be inappropriate.
The guests began to disperse.
While Russell went to socialize, Zoey and Leanna headed to the dessert table.
“Ariana is shameless,” Leanna said as she grabbed some cake. “She plagiarized your design and then had the audacity to accuse you! Let’s see how she continues to copy you now. I’m curious to see what happens to Born Beauty under her Headership.”
Zoey thought for a moment. “Probably nothing remarkable. Ariana isn’t talented in this field.”
Leanna laughed. “You two are twins, yet you’re all real talent and skill, while she’s all shortcuts and schemes. How can two people be so different? Do you think you were switched at birth?”
Zoey chuckled. “That’s highly unlikely.”
Leanna clicked her tongue. “Your mother really reminds me of the stepmother in Cinderella.”
Zoey sighed. “Maybe I wronged her in a past life, and that’s why she doesn’t like me in this one.”
Just then, a waiter approached with a tray of orange juice and red wine. Zoey and Leanna each took a glass of orange juice.
21:23
Chapter 31 The Controversy al
They moved to the lounge area, sat on a sofa, and began enjoying their drinks and desserts.
Before long, Leanna felt weak and sluggish. “Zoey, I’m feeling drained all of a sudden. Did someone spike our drinks?”
Zoey had consumed less, so her symptoms were milder, but she felt them too. She quickly pulled two white pills from her handbag, took one herself, and slipped the other into Leanna’s mouth.
Supporting Leanna, Zoey whispered, “Let’s play along.”
