The words that spilled from Josefina''s lips sent a shockwave through the entire room. Erica''s eyes were wide with disbelief as she stared at Josefina, her gaze filled with skepticism.


    Lauren''s voice dripped with sarcasm as sheughed at Josefina, "You''re the designer Anya? Why don''t you take a good look in the mirror, sweetheart? There''s not a single thing about you that evenes close to Anya. That''s the funniest joke I''ve heard all year."


    Ruby, too, wore a mocking smile, her voiceced with disdain, "Josefina, do you really think we''re going to buy this act of yours? Is there anyone here who can vouch that you''re Anya? Aren''t you scared of being sued for impersonation?"


    Billy chimed in, "Josefina, this isn''t the ce for your jokes. Your little no-namepany suddenly hits the big time, sure must have had a little help from a ''mysterious benefactor,'' huh? But let me tell you, this is not the kind ofpetition you can bluff your way through."


    Alex was fuming, stepping forward to dere, "All this talk about us, where''s your proof? Without evidence, stop spewing nonsense and wasting everyone''s time with your baseless usations."


    He continued, "You use me of buying designs? Whose designs did I buy? And when you made such ims at thepetition itself, aren''t you implying I''m in cahoots with the organizers? Do you think everyone here is blind to just hand me a backdoor deal? Ruby, do you ever engage your brain before you speak?"


    Josefina added, "Ruby, if you can''t provide evidence, you owe us an apology."


    But Ruby had no evidence. The design sketches Holly had given her went unused by Alex. She just shot from the hip, not wanting to let Josefina off easy.


    "Why did your unknown designs suddenly take first ce?" Ruby challenged.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Josefina''s smile widened, "Good question."


    With a self-assured smirk, Ruby was about to gloat when Josefina turned the tables, "I recall correctly, when the Antonio family took you back, you were living in an


    orphanage et''


    scraping by. So, when exactly did you learn design? You nevero mentioned it before, and suddenly, in a mere two months, you''ve developed a prodigious talent for design?"


    Ruby''s smile faded.


    Josefina pressed on, "I heard you''ve drawn up a design for Antonio Corporation that really made waves. Ruby, I have to ask, did that design reallye from your own hand?" Ruby felt her scalp tingle; pilfered goods were always hot to the touch.


    She tried to defend herself, but her expression betrayed her. In a flurry of emotion, Ruby defended her position, never heard about you designing clothes either. It''s pretty normal that you wouldn''t know about my business."


    From the crowd, a woman''s voice rang out, "Let''s have Ruby and Alex do a face-off. Let thempete and see whose design skills truly shine."


    Alex raised his hand, "I agree. Let''s have a public showdown, Ruby. Let everyone see who''s got the real talent. Wisdom ends where gossip begins, and the audience''s eyes are sharp as daggers."


    Ruby, however, was terrified topete against Alex; she feared exposing herck of design skills.


    "I refuse. Why should Ipete just because you want to? Who do you think you are, matching up with me?" Ruby sneered with disdain.


    The host, La, gripping the


    microphone, her voice booming


    across the hall, "Miss Ruby, if you''re too scared topete and yet you im the organizers and Alex are bullying you, then tell us, what would it take for Alex to prove his innocence, or for us to see if there''s any truth to your words?"


    Masked Erica stepped forward, "Let mepete against him. If he beats me, I''ll have Ruby apologize to you all."