Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Given how the matter developed, the entire world's attention was focused on Bailey.
They wanted to see how the biggest plagiarist in history would resolve her predicament.
Inside the hotel, Bailey threw the laptop in her hand toward Juliana, questioning coldly, “Is this your doing?”
Juliana shook her head. “No, it's not me. Even though I'm just looking to have some fun, I'm aware of where the boundaries lie. There's no way I would dig out all your past designs and allow them to be sullied by the public's condemnation.”
“It really isn't you?” Bailey narrowed her eyes. After a momentary silence, she ordered in a seething tone, “Investigate it, and find out who's behind this.”
Juliana nodded at once.
Now that Master is infuriated, those sc*ms are going to suffer the consequences.
“M-Master, once we find out who did it, what are you going to do?”
What am I going to do?
Bailey sneered before replying through gnashed teeth, “Pay them back tenfold.”
In the CEO's office of Luther Group, Stephen was standing in front of the curved desk as he reported to Artemis, “I have studied her designs from the past few years and can't deny the similarities to
Snowflake's style. Mr. Luther, can it be that she is subconsciously influenced by Snowflake after seeing too many of the latter's designs?”
Artemis did not respond as he examined the designs in detail.
It was then he was even more certain of her true identity.
No matter how one's design style changes, it will never stray far from its fundamental framework, and the fundamental framework of all these designs obviously came from the same hand. This includes the winning design of The Ultimate Designer four years ago. All of these are the work of the same person.
“Ignore them and let them continue stirring the controversy. Whatever it is, Ms. Bailey will provide us with a satisfactory answer when the time comes. Until there is a conclusion, you should maintain your silence. Do not say a word to anyone with regard to whether her designs were a result of plagiarism or not.”
Stephen nodded in acknowledgment. “Okay. I'll do as you say.”
No sooner had he finished than he expressed his confusion over the matter, “I have no idea what Xavier is thinking. Even though his lead designer is being exposed for plagiarism, he's acting as if it's none of his business at all. In fact, he didn't even bother calling. All he said was that he'll leave it to headquarters to decide.”
Hearing that, Artemis curled his lips into a smile. He must have known of Bailey's identity a long time ago. That's why he couldn't be bothered.
“You had better take a leaf out of his book about how to remain calm in the face of problems. In two years, I'll send you to take charge of the Epea branch. Given how big the world is out there, you should go out and gain some exposure instead of being restricted within this small city.”
Adjusting his spectacles, Stephen nodded. “It's better that I stay by your side to learn for a few more years, as I'm not ready to manage anything independently yet.”
Amidst the sound of his tapping fingers, Artemis flatly replied, “Don't worry about it. Xavier has walked the same path as well. It would be a waste of talent if I limit your future prospects by letting you stay here as a department director for the rest of your life. Epea is a huge market and offers plenty of growth opportunities for you.” NôvelDrama.Org owns this text.
“All right. I'll go along with your plan. Given how candid you have been, it would be rude for me to refuse.”
Meanwhile, in the living room of the Jefferson residence, Beatrice took out a document from a bag and showed it to Rhonda. “Look at what this is.”
Rhonda took it at once and read the contents. When her eyes fell upon the statement in the report that read “not biologically related as father and son,” she was filled with delight. “Is this the paternity test report for Edmund and that b*stard? Where did you get it?”
“It's a fake.”
“Huh?” Rhonda gave her mother a look of surprise. “M-Mom, are you sure you aren't pulling my leg?”
Eyebrows raised, Beatrice curled her lips into a smile. “Who could be joking about something like that?
There's no need for a real test, as we can now bury Bailey with this fake report.”
“B-But what if someone finds out?”
Extending her finger to poke Rhonda on the forehead, Bailey admonished her, “Didn't I just praise you for becoming smarter two days ago? Why have you reverted to your clueless self again? The process isn't important. What matters is the result, especially now when Bailey is mired in the plagiarism scandal. When the entire world is waiting for her to be sent to prison, no one is going to care about the authenticity of the report. Besides, that b*stard isn't Edmund's child, so the report isn't technically fake.”
Knitting her brows, Rhonda hesitated briefly before trying to persuade her. “Mom, why don't we get a real one instead? I'm worried this plan might backfire. If the public learns that we've faked a paternity test result, we'll definitely be condemned.”
Shooting Rhonda a glare, Beatrice retorted, “Do you really think it's that easy to get a real one? Even that old hag of the Luther family might not get her hands on it, let alone I. There's no way Edmund and Artemis would stand idly by and watch the paternity test be exposed.”
“I-In that case... will this really work?”
“Don't worry. I pulled some strings overseas to get this done. No one would be able to tell.”
Despite the consolation from her mother, Rhonda was still worried. Deep down, she had a niggling feeling that faking the test result would one day come back and bite them.
At a café inside Luther Group, Jessica and Janice were seated opposite each other by the window. While they were sipping their coffee leisurely, they heard the crowd around them cursing Bailey for
being a copycat.
Janice whispered, “Jessica, as long as the court declares that she is plagiarizing, that will be the end of her career in the fashion design industry. By then, no one will stand in your way anymore. Mr. Luther will nominate you for the role of the lead designer, while Ms. Caridee's gown will naturally be yours to design. When that happens, you'll be able to leverage Caridee's fame to give your reputation a boost.”
Jessica curled her lips into a smirk. “How dare she challenge me after joining the fashion industry for a few short years? She's nothing but a joke. If she hadn't copied Snowflake's work, there's no way she would have been so successful.”
Janice added, “In spite of her short success, she still has fallen from grace. If she hadn't resorted to plagiarizing, she wouldn't even have the opportunity to taste such glory in the first place.”
Delighted by the words, Jessica burst into laughter. “Don't worry. Once I have taken on the role of Luther Group's lead designer, I'll definitely arrange for your return to the headquarters.”
Janice, too, was elated to hear the offer. The reason she was ingratiating herself with Jessica was that the latter could help her in her career. If there was nothing in it for her, she would not have lowered herself to become a bootlicker.
“By the way, I found out where Bailey is hiding. Do you want to share her location with the media so that they can surround her and give her grief?”
Upon hearing that, Jessica cocked a brow. “Of course. Where is she?”
“Suite 502 of Century Hotel.”
Back at the hotel, Bailey was leaning against the floor-to-ceiling windows while chatting on the phone.
She was speaking to Xavier, who could no longer withstand the pressure.
“Ms. Jefferson, that's enough. You're going to get me killed if you let this controversy continue. The gowns which you have designed over the last few years have now been blacklisted, and our partners are demanding compensation for them. Even then, I have yet to report the matter to Mr. Luther. He'll definitely have me fired if he finds out what is going on. On the account that we're friends, please don't cause me to lose my job.”