She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 167

Sybil had expected her paid-off staff to speak up, and Yuna was already crowing, “You’re not actually going to listen to a known plagiarist, are you?”

A plagiarist? The staff looked at Yuna as if she’d lost her mind. Calling Mr. X’s personal protégé a plagiarist? Was this woman insane?

Loyce remained perfectly composed. “Accusations require evidence. There’s no need for baseless slander. Is Sybil the only one allowed to have a witness? That seems a bit… arrogant and petty, don’t you think?”

The remark made Sybil’s face flush with anger and humiliation. Forcing a fragile expression, she said, “You’re right, Loyce. Since you’ve spoken, I have nothing more to say. Let’s drop it. The competition is what’s important.”

Once the crowd dispersed, Helena stared at her trembling hand as tears streamed down her face. “What am I going to do?” she sobbed. “I can’t move my hand. I can’t compete anymore. I’m going to disappoint Mr. X.”

She was overwhelmed with despair until a pair of gentle hands enveloped her own. “Let me see.”

Loyce carefully examined her hand, confirming it was only a simple dislocation from Sybil’s violent twist.

“It’s just dislocated,” she said softly. “I can set it back for you. Just relax your arm.”

Later, on stage for the final round, it was time for the contestants and judges to choose their duet partners. The rules allowed the top three finalists to select two judges to avoid being left without a partner.

Liora and Sybil were both successfully paired, though neither was chosen by Mr. X’s disciple, whom they had both selected as one of their choices. Helena, however, fearing her injury would lead to rejection by the famous disciple, only chose two other judges. Unfortunately, she was turned down both times. According to the rules, if a contestant had no judge to perform with, they had to complete a highly difficult solo improvisation.

Knowing her hand was injured, none of the judges wanted to partner with her, fearing a poor performance would make them a laughingstock in the industry.

Helena lowered her head in defeat. She had fought so hard to get here, only to fail at the final hurdle. Perhaps it was just fate. There was no point in fighting it.