Chapter 49 Awards Ceremony
"There must be a reason for it." Olivia rubbed her hands together. "It's so exciting, Winnie. I can't imagine the moment he takes off his mask. Will you be surprised and turn away? But with what L did today, it's so charming. He fired his secretary to make things clear to you. If I didn't know, I'd think he's in love with you."
After hearing this, Winnie fantasized about having genuine feelings with him.
"Olivia, you're talking nonsense. How is that possible? He and I are not even from the same world." She wouldn't open her heart again, allowing herself to be hurt.
Olivia understood her concerns and changed the topic. "So, let's talk about the jewelry contest. Have you asked Mr. L for help?"
"I haven't, and he hasn't mentioned it either."
Olivia immediately made a snide remark, "He knows you're a victim, but still won't spend a little money and help you with his connections. That jerk!"
Winnie explained, "I made it clear to him. Do you think a man like him would have the audacity? It's better to rely on oneself than to rely on others."
Although she said this to Olivia, she didn't actually believe it in her heart.
In the following days, L rarely returned home and didn't mention anything about her being attacked in the preliminaries or offer to help. Winnie felt a bit disappointed.
As the day of the preliminary ceremony award approached, there was an increasing frenzy of online insults toward Winnie.
Many netizens had doxed her. They searched for her previous scandals, all fabricated by Ava.
This cyberbullying made Winnie famous, and now almost everyone in Lymington knew that Winnie had plagiarized.
On Monday, Winnie went to the Imperial Exhibition Hall for the award ceremony, where many angry netizens were waiting for her. As soon as Winnie got out of the car, she was greeted with a barrage of insults and almost got hit by a water bottle.
Fortunately, the driver and Olivia protected her and safely escorted Winnie into the award ceremony hall.
"The results are already predetermined. Ava has won. Why do you bother to come? Ava will definitely take this opportunity to defame you again," Olivia said with a bitter face.
Winnie took out the recording pen from her bag and played it. Olivia listened and was shocked.
"I can see why you're here now. You exposed Victoria at Pearl Club, and you even recorded it?"
Winnie regretted "Unfortunately, I didn't think of it earlier. I should have started recording when Ava started talking to me after the competition."
"There is Ava's partial admission in this. If we can pass it to the judges later…"
Winnie wasn't optimistic, "Mr. Lee is definitely a part Ava's network. I'm afraid we won't be able to send it up. Besides, this evidence will only cause a small wave." She could actually take down Victoria with this testimony, but Victoria had something on Jason, and she couldn't let Olivia get hurt.
Olivia understood. "Even a small wave can disrupt Ava’s popularity, so we have to go for it. Even if we can't overturn the situation, we must give it a try."
Winnie nodded. "My plan is, when Mr. Lee arrives later, I will plead with him and ask for one last chance. I will present my sketch to him on the spot."
Olivia's eyes brightened, "That's the best way to prove your abilities."
"What do you mean? Are you also attending the award ceremony, Winnie?" A voice came from the distance.
Winnie turned around and saw Ava and her entourage walking confidently on the red carpet. Surprisingly, Mrs. Davis was by her side.
Mrs. Davis was chatting with Mr. Lee, who was full of praise for Ava. Mrs. Davis seemed to find her more pleasing, especially when the reporters were praising Ava as a princess and calling her a genius designer.
Mrs. Davis had a slight smile on her face.
Ava's face no longer showed the disappointment from the Silver Club incident, but rather a smug expression. It seemed that the glory of winning first prize made her feel at ease.
As Ava passed by Winnie, she exclaimed loudly, "Winnie, you should reflect on yourself. Are you still coming up with plots with your good friend? Do you have to be expelled from the competition by the judges before you admit to plagiarizing?"
She alluded to something, causing the audience to become particularly angry.
"What? Winnie actually wants to take Ava's company? Is she here to harm Ava as well? That's too much!"
"Winnie, do yourself a favor and leave quickly. Don't embarrass yourself here. It is definite that you will be expelled from the competition!"
"Look at the trending topics! Netizens are crowdfunding to buy prison uniforms for Winnie. Plagiarists like her should be in jail. Brilliant!"
"Oh, breaking news! Is Daniel going to propose to Ava after she won the award?"
"Can't you see that Mrs. Davis is even attending to cheer them on?”
The number one trending topic was '"The Davis family is preparing an engagement ceremony for this perfect couple."
"Congratulations, Ava. I didn't expect you to be celebrated twice today!" Debutantes began to envy and flatter her.
Ava pretended to be humble and shy.
In reality, she had bought these trending topics last night.
The incident at the Silver Club had been sealed off in a timely manner, and Mrs. Davis had not heard about it.
She generated more news to please Daniel and took the opportunity to swiftly advance the engagement ceremony.
Today, she would win first prize and immediately held the engagement ceremony in the afternoon. Once everything settled down, she could finally relax.
Her parents were busy preparing for the engagement venue, as many renowned bosses expressed their interest in collaborating with her father due to the Davis family's union.
She was going to make a big splash in Lymington. She had hired the media to livestream both the award ceremony and the engagement banquet. Today was an important day for her.
On such an important day, Winnie, this loser, was serving as a contrast. Ava felt thrilled.
Winnie, oblivious to everything around her, squeezed her way to Mr. Lee's side and earnestly pleaded, "Mr. Lee, I know I lack evidence to prove that Ava stole my work, but please give me a chance to draw a draft on the spot. I just need one opportunity to showcase my skills."
Mr. Lee's expression remained unchanged as he immediately had the security guards push Winnie away, and he continued chatting with Mrs. Davis.
Winnie's face turned pale, and she clenched her fists.
Ava revealed a sneering smile.
Amidst the crowd's insults and curses, Winnie still didn't give up. She and Olivia walked toward the backstage, hoping to find another judge and hand over the recording device.
As soon as they reached the dark corner of the curtain, two big men quickly approached them, grabbed them, and forcefully snatched the recording device, breaking it in the process.
They were immobilized, and Ava appeared with a sinister smile on her face.
"Winnie, I see you've recorded me. This must be your final attempt to tarnish my reputation. Today, I'll show you that your desperate struggle is futile. I've thought of everything beforehand. Now, you have nothing left. Just watch me win the first prize while you wait to be dismissed."
She walked away triumphantly.
Olivia pounded the wall. "It's all my fault. I couldn't even beat a bodyguard!"
The sparkle in Winnie's eyes slowly disappeared, and she self-mockingly said, "We were too impatient and easily caught her attention to our flaws. This time, I truly failed completely."
Olivia's eyes welled up with tears. "She had the support of many people, while we were alone and had no chances given by the judges. It's not your fault. I blame Victoria. Winnie, there will be other jewelry competitions, try to stay positive."
After today, it would be difficult for her to participate in any other events. Winnie closed her eyes, feeling upset.
The ceremony award began amidst enthusiastic applause, but suddenly, there was an unexplained silence.
Then, audience at the venue gasped, and debutantes screamed.
"Look! The CEO of Imperial Jewelry is here!"
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