Chapter 7


    The crowd was astonished. Few people knew Lily’s whereabouts after she disappeared from the


    industry, let alone her rtionship with Nathaniel.


    At this moment, the reporters were the most excited ones. Initially, they thought they would only get to


    write an ordinary news article about the event tonight. No one expected there to be any giarism and


    betrayal affairs. It was exhrating for them just thinking about it.


    Lily watched as Nathaniel walked toward her while he said regretfully, “You’re part of us at MN Inc.


    When did you be a social climber and move to anotherpany? You did not inform me, and…


    you even took mypany’s product with you?”


    His voice was not loud, but because there was a microphone next to him, everyone in the audience


    could hear him.


    “She’s a traitor then. Now I see why there’s an issue of giarism,” someone said in realization.


    “Everyone praised her too highly back then. I remember the media had exaggerated her talent when


    she won the Best Neer award. Look at her now. Tsk…”


    “It’s a crime to steal apany’s confidential information. We should call the cops on her!”


    “Not only does she not have a sense of smell, but she does not have a conscience. I have to say she’s


    quite the beauty, but what’s the use of that when she’s a thief?”


    Everyone said nasty things about Lily, and Nathaniel had to suppress his smugness at this moment.


    Although he had no idea what was going on, at least he managed to save hispany from the


    current crisis.


    Then Nathaniel looked at the person-in-charge of Rebirth victoriously, feigning kindness as he said, “I


    think yourpany must’ve misunderstood something and fell victim to deceit. It is all merely a


    misunderstanding. Surely, yourpany is not at fault here. However, everyone knows that a product


    belongs to its creator. It is obvious that First Love belongs to MN Inc.”


    “Mr. Hall, you said that…” A voice that sounded abruptly interrupted Nathaniel’s words.


    Lily had an indifferent smile on her face the whole time. She turned to look at Nathaniel and asked


    calmly, “You said I’m working for MN Inc.?” She was so calm that it made Nathaniel anxious for no


    reason.


    Still, Nathaniel managed to reduce his uneasiness as many people were watching. “You won’t be one


    of us anymore in the future. It is a regret that such a thing happened today.”


    Lily chuckled as if she heard a joke and continued to ask, “Was I ever an employee of MN Inc. in the


    past?”


    Before Nathaniel could speak, Lily continued, “Mr. Hall, I never seem to have signed any contract with


    MN Inc. Do we have a written agreement? Did you ever give me a paycheck? Do you have anything to


    prove that I worked for yourpany”


    “Proof? Everyone in MN Inc. can testify that you worked with us before. What proof do you need?”


    “That means you don’t have it then?” The question Lily casually asked silenced Nathaniel.


    He had taken advantage of Lily’s loyalty, and there was no such contract nor paycheck. He did that to


    prevent Lily from using the contract against him. Lily’s sry was never consistent because she did not


    care about money.


    Nathaniel also paid for her rental automatically through his bank ount each month, and Lily was not


    much of a spender. One would say Nathaniel paid for most of Lily’s living expenses, so he thought it


    unnecessary to provide Lily with a paycheck.


    Nheless, Lily had brought the matter up and moved to anotherpany, leaving Nathaniel


    untenable. Even if they brought this case to court, the jury would view Nathaniel as the unreasonable


    party.


    “Regardless if we have proof, there is no need for us to show it to you here,” Mnie said harshly,


    unable to remain silent anymore after watching everything as she stood among the audience.


    Raising her chin, she looked at Lily arrogantly. “This is not a ce for you to grandstand. As your


    former friend, I won’t pursue this matter further, but I hope you leave at this instant.”


    Mnie’s words seemed to have reminded Nathaniel of something. He took a step forward and


    grabbed Lily’s sleeve, staring at her as he said, “Lily, we’ll talk about thister regardless of what kind


    of misunderstanding we had.”


    He used his gaze to warn Lily that she needed to listen to him if she wanted to keep their rtionship.


    Unfortunately for him, Lily was no longer the same person he once knew.


    “Mr. Hall, how could you not defend your rights after the organizingmittee has identified you and


    Ms. Thayer as the victims of giarism? I believe the judges of thispetition will be fair and square


    to all of us.” Lily took a step back and freed herself from Nathaniel’s grip.


    Smiling, she looked at the host. “We have submitted the research data and sample of First Love to the


    “Hold on!” Nathaniel raised one hand and looked up. “As Ms. Christian was an employee of my


    is identical, how would themittee decide who is right or wrong?”


    Nathaniel was not confident. After all, the research data and samples came from Lily, and they would


    contain identical information.


    Now that Nathaniel could no longer stop Lily, he had to ditch her and seize the opportunity to make


    everyone believe Lily was the thief who betrayed her past employer. It was the only way Nathaniel


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    could save hispany’s image.


    At this moment, someone went up to the host and whispered. The host straightened his back and


    looked at Nathaniel. “Mr. Hall, don’t worry about this. The judges havee to a decision, and… even


    though the information, data, and samples from both sides are simr, they are not entirely the same.


    There are still minor differences.”


    “Oh?” Nathaniel was surprised.


    On the other hand, Mnie was already feeling slightly uneasy as she wondered how their information,


    samples, and data would differ.


    Even though everyone’s attention was on the stage, those who stood closer to Mnie instinctively


    moved further away from her. Mnie could also smell the strange odor, albeit faint, but she could not


    make a big deal out of it.


    “The judges have concluded Rebirth’s First Love perfume as the winner! Congrattions!” The host did


    not beat around the bush, announcing thepetition result immediately.


    The sudden announcement made Nathaniel turn ashen. “T-That’s impossible!” Nathaniel yelled,


    “Absolutely improbable! Mypany has worked on that perfume for a long time! We’ve spent so


    much money and effort on developing First Love. How could Rebirth win?! First Love belongs to MN


    Inc., and we have evidence to prove it!


    “The organizingmittee cannot suppress small businesses like us just because Rebirth has La


    Beauté Group’s support! It is unfair to the neers to this industry. Although mypany does not


    have the best capabilities and technology, we are serious about contributing to the industry’s growth


    through our work! If the organizingmittee does this, it will disappoint the members of MN Inc. and


    other smallpanies like us who have worked hard! You are suppressing us!”


    Many resonated with Nathaniel’s argument. There were only a few leadingpanies in the perfumery


    industry. Many smallpanies would continuously participate inpetitions and exhibitions, hoping


    to have their brands known to more people and to expand their market shares. Still, their efforts will be


    futile if more influentialpanies constantly suppress them.


    “He’s right! Since the two products are simr, why did Rebirth ultimately win?”


    “This is daylight robbery! Mr. Hall, you should call the cops!”


    Lily raised her brow and looked at Nathaniel as he stood righteously, manipting people to trust him.


    “Mr. Hall, since you keep talking about evidence, let me show you some.” Lily turned to her side and


    took two tiny bottles from one of Rebirth’s employees.