Forgetting You Was the Best Ending novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Everyone sat waiting for the host on stage to announce the competition results. Lily felt a little nervous.

Just as the host opened the envelope to read the results, someone suddenly approached and whispered in his ear.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the host announced, “a plagiarism incident has been reported. To ensure fairness, we will reassess the entries involved.”

The word “plagiarism” sent a ripple of shock through the audience.

Plagiarism was a career–ending stigma in their industry.

Though initially handled privately, the organizers yielded to demands and projected both contested designs onto the screen.

Lily stared in disbelief–her work and Sophie’s were displayed side by side.

Her eyes darted between Sophie and Victor.

Sophie met Lily’s gaze with a triumphant smirk.

Benjamin leaned close to Lily. “Lily, did you show your drafts to anyone?”

Benjamin trusted Lily implicitly, he knew she’d never plagiarize. He suspected her sketches had been stolen.

As Lily rose to defend herself, Sophie stood and declared, “Lily copied my design.”

“It was you who stole from me!” Lily countered.

When Lily reached for her portfolio, Sophie produced her own sketches. “I have the original drafts.”

Sophie handed her pages to the staff for the judges.

Lily submitted hers too–every stroke was her own creation.

Benjamin steadied Lily with a hand on her shoulder. “The judges will uncover the truth. I believe in you.”

The entire hall held its breath.

“The judges have verified,” the host announced, “that Ms. Sophie Harrison’s initial drafts predate Ms. Lily Cooper’s.”

The verdict hung heavy–Lily stood condemned.

Stunned, Lily rushed to the judges‘ table and snatched both sets of sketches.

One glance at Sophie’s submission confirmed Lily’s suspicion: these were her own abandoned drafts, left behind when she’d departed the Scott Group.

Whispers of condemnation swirled around her.

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