Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 201

"That's impossible!" Meredith Miller shook with rage. "Phoenix handed me these design drafts herself. There is no way this is plagiarism!"

"If you're so confident, Meredith, how about a bet?" Sebastian Prescott dropped his act, pressing the attack. "If I can prove that Phoenix plagiarized my work, you hand Lumina Jewelry over to me. How does that sound?"

Meredith's eyes widened in shock. The man's greed knew no bounds.

But her trust in Phoenix was absolute. Blinded by fury, she snapped, "You're on. But what if you lose?"

"If I can't prove it, or if it turns out I'm the one who plagiarized, I'll give you my entire studio along with every overseas contract I have." Sebastian's voice rang with absolute certainty.

The crowd broke into a stunned uproar.

This was a gamble with everything on the line. Whoever lost would be ruined, left with absolutely nothing.

"You said it yourself, Sebastian! Mr. Vane is our witness." Meredith rolled up her sleeves, looking ready for a physical brawl. "Go ahead, show us your so-called evidence. I'd love to see what kind of garbage you've fabricated."

Sebastian scoffed inwardly. What a gullible idiot.

Taking his time, he pulled out his phone and cast the pre-prepared design sketches onto the main display.

"Everyone, take a look. This is the evolution of my early drafts. Each one has a system-generated timestamp dating back well before last week. The evidence is irrefutable. I am the original creator."

Meredith stared at the familiar sketches, her heart plummeting. Those were the exact drafts Phoenix had given her.

"Merry."

A cool, calming hand rested on Meredith's shoulder. Phoenix stepped forward, halting her friend's impending outburst. A reassuring smile touched her lips. "Don't panic. The show is just getting started."

Meredith paused, taking in Phoenix's composed demeanor before it clicked. "Is this the 'show' you mentioned? You knew they were going to pull this plagiarism stunt?"

"I did." Phoenix gave a subtle nod. "Let me handle the rest."

Still slightly dazed, Meredith obediently stepped back to stand beside Macy Monroe.

She quickly shifted her adoring gaze to Sebastian. "Sebastian is Master Padraig's student. It makes perfect sense that he would design a masterpiece like this."

Her words were poisoned honey, covertly reminding the crowd that Phoenix was an uneducated ex-convict who had no right to possess such talent.

The crowd murmured, their opinions swaying once more. Sebastian's prestigious status as Master Padraig's student carried far more weight than an ex-con from the countryside.

"Sebastian is Padraig's student?" Phoenix let out a soft scoff, eyeing him with amusement. "Are you absolutely certain you're his student?"

Sebastian's expression faltered slightly. This was the second time she had asked that exact question. He sensed a trap, but there was no backing down now. With Charles watching, that title was his golden ticket to securing the MK Global partnership.

"That's right." Sebastian gritted his teeth and lifted his chin. "I am Master Padraig's student. One hundred percent authentic."

Phoenix sighed, a flicker of genuine pity crossing her eyes. "I gave you a chance, Sebastian. But if you insist on digging your own grave, don't blame me."

Just then, Macy, who had been enjoying the spectacle, took a step forward and spoke calmly toward the entrance. "Master Padraig, this man swears he's your prized pupil. Is that true? Aren't you going to come out and clear the air?"