The Queen's Back (Mona and Maxwell) novel Chapter 209

But Mona knew that she did not plagiarize, so the person who did was Molly. However, Molly had already released the patent design rights she had applied for along with Danielle's personal seal.

As for Mona, she did not even think of applying for a patent because of the matter concerning Noretin Design Competition.

Compared to Molly, she was not convincing at all in defending her argument.

Molly said, "As everyone can see, I've already applied for the patent rights for this gown, and this gown is the only one approved by my mentor, Danielle.

"Initially, I didn't want to take it this far. If Mona had voluntarily withdrawn from the competition earlier, I wouldn't have released this. But she requested that a reason be given for getting disqualified from the competition. So, Mona, do you think you're still qualified to continue participating in Noretin Design Competition?"

Molly's voice spread to every corner of the lecture hall. Her gaze as she looked at Mona was filled with mockery. 'She is just a fool who plagiarizes,' she thought. 'She's not in a position to compare to me.'

"No wonder I find Color stunning. It turns out it's designed by Danielle's mentee."

"Ahem. Well, Mona can plagiarize all she wants. She's actually so foolish to the point of making it nearly identical to the original work. There's nothing original about her work at all."

"I used to like the gown she designed for Artemis. I can't believe this happened."

"Maybe her previous designs were also copied from somewhere."

"I know, right? Someone like her doesn't deserve to participate in the competition. She should get out of Noretin."

As the conversation went on, the comments got harsher, with all sorts of insults directed at Mona.

Mona stood alone on the stage, facing the criticism directed at her from the spectators.

Looking like a fool, she was in a daze, and her legs felt a little weak. Her hands began to break out in cold sweat. She had no idea how to defend herself.

Mona wondered if she could tell the spectators and judges that she was not the plagiarist and that the real plagiarist was Molly, suggesting that Molly was accusing her because Molly was guilty of plagiarising in the first place. But she was aware that she would indirectly imply that Danielle was a plagiarist if she were to say that.

'Would anyone believe me?' she thought. Other than Maxwell, Mona didn't know who else would believe that she didn't plagiarize.

She instinctively scanned the audience and was surprised to find that Maxwell's seat was empty. Instantly, she was somewhat flustered.

'Where is Maxwell?' she thought.

At this moment, Mona felt helpless. She did not know how to defend herself.

Just then, her cold hand was enveloped by a warm, large hand. The warmth spread from her fingertips to her entire body.

Mona instinctively looked up and happened to see Maxwell's perfect jawline and the tip of his nose. Suddenly, her mind seemed to have a stabilizing force, and her mind calmed down.

"I didn't plagiarize," she said, holding Maxwell's hand tightly. "The color of every piece of fabric in this gown is the result of my extensive experimentation."

Molly retorted directly, "If you didn't plagiarize, could it be that I plagiarized? Did you apply for a patent?"

Her gaze instinctively swept across Mona and Maxwell's tightly clasped hands. Her hand that wasn't holding the microphone was clenched into a fist, her fingers digging into her palm.

"Just because she didn't apply for patent protection doesn't mean this gown isn't designed by her. She just hasn't had the chance to do so yet."

The person who said this was Maxwell.

He had seen Mona roll up her sleeves and test colors on the gown bit by bit, not getting upset even when paint got on her. She had gone through many fabrics, failing many times, before finally completing the gown.

He had seen Mona's hard work, so he thought there was no way she would plagiarize someone else's work.