Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 203

"Excellent. You have a bright aura about you." Padraig studied her closely, nodding in approval. "I've seen your sketches, and they are incredibly inspired. The strokes are slightly raw, but your potential is limitless."

"You're too kind, sir. Compared to you, I'm just a beginner." Meredith flushed a deep crimson, overwhelmed by the praise. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine a legendary master would compliment her work.

She instinctively glanced at Macy, then at Phoenix. Had they arranged for him to be here just to pave the way for her career?

"Young lady, would you do me the honor of becoming my student?"

"Huh?"

The massive shock hit her like a freight train, leaving her mind completely blank.

"Merry, what are you spacing out for?" Macy laughed, nudging her arm. "Call him your mentor!"

Meredith's eyes lit up with dazzling brilliance. Her voice trembled with pure elation. "Yes! Absolutely! I would love to be your student!"

"Haha, wonderful." Padraig chuckled warmly. He then turned to address the stunned crowd, his voice booming. "Everyone, as you can see, I have only one student. And that is Meredith Miller."

"Anyone else claiming otherwise is a fraud."

Gasps rippled through the room.

Sebastian had invoked Padraig's name to prove his innocence. Now, the legend himself had appeared only to take Sebastian's rival under his wing.

It was a brutal, swift, and utterly humiliating takedown.

Sebastian glared at Meredith with toxic hatred. He had begged and schemed for an apprenticeship, only for this untouchable icon to stroll in and hand the opportunity to her on a silver platter.

Everything he had done up until now felt like a cruel joke.

"Master Padraig, your presence elevates this entire event." Charles Vane stepped forward with a polite smile. "Congratulations on finding your apprentice. On behalf of MK Global, I offer my sincerest blessings."

"Charles. Funny enough, you were almost my student years ago," Padraig sighed, a hint of regret in his voice. "Unfortunately, your focus on profit conflicted too deeply with my design philosophy."

Charles simply smiled, his expression unchanging.

Sebastian nodded, choosing to believe her. Phoebe had sketched it casually; there was no recording of the process. If Phoenix really was the thief, there was no way she could provide anything more concrete than they had.

"What a coincidence. I happen to have a video that proves exactly who the original creator is."

Phoenix casually pulled a flash drive from her pocket, shooting Phoebe a provocative glance.

Phoebe's stomach dropped as a sickening sense of dread washed over her. How could that bitch have a video? Did she record me stealing the designs?

Charles signaled to his staff. The drive was quickly taken and plugged into the AV system.

The massive screen flickered to life, and a video began to play.

The footage showed Phoenix sitting at her computer, deeply engrossed in designing a piece of jewelry. As the camera zoomed in, the crowd gasped. The sketch on her monitor was undeniably the disputed piece.

"It's fake! This is fabricated!" Sebastian roared hysterically. "AI technology can easily fake this nowadays. This is a premeditated frame-up!"