She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 171

“So now we’re family?” Loyce asked with a faint smile. “What about when you were slandering my name? My reputation is tied to Mr. X’s. I don’t mind the insults directed at me, but I will not stand for my mentor being disgraced by having a ‘plagiarist’ for a student.”

Sybil shook her head in a panic. “I didn’t slander you! Many people saw that video.”

“But with your level of skill, I really have no reason to plagiarize you,” Loyce said innocently. “Since you’re so insistent that I copied you, what’s the problem with me proving my innocence?”

The audience began to chime in. “Exactly! If Loyce really did something wrong, a competition will make it obvious to all of us. Contestant 34, what are you so worried about?”

“I just don’t want to hurt our family’s harmony,” Sybil said quickly.

“When you stood up and passive-aggressively accused Ms. Lonsdale of stealing first place, you weren’t thinking about family harmony then, were you?” Helena sneered. “Now that you’ve accused the wrong person, you think you can just brush it all off? It’s not that easy.”

Helena continued, “Why don’t you just bow your head and apologize, Sybil? Admit to everyone that you deliberately framed Ms. Lonsdale and spread false rumors with a fabricated video. Then this whole thing will be over, and your family harmony will remain intact.”

Of course, Sybil had no intention of doing that. It would be a direct admission of her scheming. As she looked helplessly toward Yuna and her other friends, they all pointedly averted their gaze.

The judges, after a moment of hushed discussion, made an announcement. “We have reached a unanimous decision. Since Contestant 34 has questioned the fairness of this competition and believes our guest judge has plagiarized her work, we will hold a special challenge to ensure fairness and protect the reputation of Mr. X. Anyone who doubts our guest judge is welcome to challenge her.”

One of the judges turned to Sybil. “Contestant 34, as the first to raise the issue, the stage is yours.”

“I…” Sybil’s lips trembled, her carefully applied makeup failing to hide her panic.

The jeers from the audience grew louder, and some people started a rhythmic clap, chanting, “Play it out! Play it out!”

Composing herself, she stood and bowed humbly. “This is an impromptu piece I composed after witnessing the extreme weather in the countryside a few days ago—the way the grass and trees swayed in the violent storm. It doesn’t have a name yet, but I hope you enjoyed it.”

The judges exchanged glances. They had all been bribed by Sybil’s mother and could tell the composition was far beyond Sybil’s ability to create on the spot, but they still offered insincere praise.

“To compose such a piece in just a few minutes truly shows a prodigious talent.”

“Next, let’s see what Mr. X’s own protégé, Loyce, can do.”

Before leaving the stage, Sybil walked over to Loyce and whispered in her ear, “The true composer of this piece spent nearly a year perfecting it. I paid a million dollars for the score. Do you really think you can create something better in just a few minutes? Loyce, I’m waiting for the day Mr. X disowns you as his student. He needs a talent like me.”

Loyce’s lips curved into a smile. “Him? He would never want you.”