Chapter 38


    In the morning light, Whitney, Tiana, and their assistant, each toting aptop, strode into the


    As they entered, the sleekpany vehicle of Skye Gem Ltd. slid to a halt at the entrance. Monica


    stepped out, her stilettos clicking a rhythmic challenge to the pavement, followed by the formidable


    procession of her design entourage. The contrast was stark; Whitney’s party felt distinctly out of ce,


    almost shabby.


    Their gazes met across the charged space, a silent battle in their standoff.


    Monica sauntered past Whitney, her eyebrow arching in a slow, condescending smile. “Look who


    showed up. Best of luck, Sis. I’m sure you’ll need it to snag first ce,” she teased with a voice dripping


    inzy sarcasm.


    Tiana bristled. “What’s with her snide remarks? And that smug smile–she knows full well your talent.


    She should be the one shaking in her boots, the fake.”


    Whitney’s frown deepened. Tiana’s words echoed her thoughts. Monica’s confidence was unsettling.


    Even though Monica might have pilfered Whitney’s earlier designs, Whitney had brought her A–game


    with hertest collection, far surpassing her previous work. Yet Monica appeared utterly unfazed.


    Something was amiss.


    Tiana’s phone rang abruptly, and she exchanged a few terse words with the person on the other end.


    Whitney recognized the voice of Tiana’s fiancé.


    “Go,” she urged, “I’ll manage.”


    “Of all times for a lunch date. At least Ste is nearby for an ad meeting. Don’t worry about me,” Tiana


    reassured Whitney before heading out.


    Whitney nodded and, with her assistant in tow, proceeded inside.


    Her eyes swept the judges‘ panel, a hint of surprise crossing her face–Ludwik, her notorious rival, was


    conspicuously absent. Was he not the head judge?


    A flicker of annoyance brushed her thoughts. Why was he not here? He had insinuated a


    mettle to him, but perhaps it was for the best. It was better not to deal with him at all.


    The announcement for all contestants to submit their work snapped Whitney back to the present. She


    handed in her designs and returned to her seat, only to catch Monica shing her a cryptic smile.


    Whitney’s breath hitched.


    What did that smile mean?


    She suppressed a rising unease and settled down with her assistant.


    When the designs were disyed on therge screen, the room fell into a stunned silence. The crowd


    was visibly confused.


    Whitney’s eyes shot up to the screen, where her work was disyed next to Monica’s–identical in


    every way. Her assistant’s grip tightened on her hand in disbelief.


    “Whitney, what’s happening? How can your work be…”


    Monica stood abruptly, her gaze piercing Whitney with incredulity. “Sis, howe your design is the


    same as mine?”


    Her usation sent a ripple through the audience, sparking a flurry of spection about giarism.


    Whitney’s eyes turned to ice. So that was why Monica had been so calm–she hadid a trap.


    Standing up with a thunderous rage, Whitney dered, “That design is my original creation. Monica


    has stolen


    my concept.”


    Monica’s face twisted into a mask of martyrdom. Sis, what are you talking about? That’s clearly my


    design.” The audience and media watched, rapt with confusion.


    The head judge, Aaron, intervened. “We have identical submissions, and one must be a copy. You both


    im originality, so present your digital file metadata as proof.”


    Whitney turned to her assistant, who pulled up the file history on herptop. The assistant’s face went


    ashen. “Whitney…” she stammered, pointing to a nk screen.


    All their work had vanished.


    Whitney clenched her fists, a cold dread sinking in. As she nced up, she caught Monica smirking


    triumphantly, herptop in hand as she approached the judges.


    Understanding dawned on Whitney; she had walked right into Monica’s snare.


    Monica presented her ‘evidence‘ to Aaron, who projected the file dates on the screen–October 2nd.


    “Now, Whitney.” Aaron turned to her. “Your evidence?”


    “I’ve had a technical issue,” Whitney said, her voice like steel. “But Aaron, the concept of that traditional


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    style jewelry is mine. I can detail the entire creative process to prove it’s my work.”


    Skeptical, the judges conferred and agreed to hear her out.


    Whitney began to exin down to every detail.


    The judges listened carefully while nodding, their faces filled with astonishment.


    However, suddenly, Monica cut Whitney off, saying, “Sis, that is my creative process!”


    Then, she continued on Whitney’s words, iming Whitney’s ideas as her own, describing the most


    intricate details of the design.


    The judges were shocked to their core. Clearly, Monica could also describe the creative process


    perfectly.


    At this moment, Whitney’s eyes turned cold. She finally realized that Monica had not just stolen her


    design; she had infiltrated her creative process.


    This was more than theft; it was a betrayal,


    As Monica yed the victim, iming that Whitney had sought advice and then stolen her concept,


    Whitney’s heart sank. She clearly saw the vicious smile in Monica’s eyes.


    At this time, Monica smiled bitterly and said, “Sis, please stop finding excuses. You called mest time


    to ask me for ideas, and I told you about my design. Never would I have thought you would steal my


    idea.”


    “Enough, Monica. I started brainstorming my design on the 28th ofst month, before you!” Whitney’s


    voice was icy with contempt. She knew she had to fight tooth and nail to reim her work and honor.


    Monica took two shaky steps back, her face awash with hurt. “Sis, I let it slide when you took credit for


    my work in the past. I know you’re eager to make a quickeback at thepany, but you can’t


    keep ripping me off like this. After your scandal, you vanished, ignoring the countless calls Dad and I


    made. And now, here you are, making a scene in public, giarizing and framing me–this is a new low


    for the Valentine family. You’ve gone too far!”


    Tears streamed down Monica’s cheeks as sheid out Whitney’s transgressions for all to see.


    The judges‘ panel was in shock. It was no secret that the Valentine family had recently weathered a


    scandal involving the eldest daughter.


    The Valentines had not disowned her, but here was Whitney stirring up trouble, using thepetition to


    giarize and set up her sister!


    The media and audience below erupted in chaos. Whitney had already been exposed for stealing her


    sister’s work to secure her position as the CEO of Skye Gem before today.


    This was a repeat offense!


    “Despicable, this woman is vile and maniptive!”