Chapter 426 Counterattack
Flora's expression turned icy as she said, "Just wait and see. However, let me tell you that if you're here to help Susan, you won't get a chance this time.”
'Help Susan? I'm not stupid or mad!'
Arthur found himself bewildered by Flora's words. At this time, he finally noticed Natalie. He forced a smile on his face and greeted, "Natalie."
Natalie smiled, but it was clearly perfunctory.
Arthur had anticipated this. He knew Natalie would be smart enough to figure out why he had chosen to take Tina away on his own. Even if given another chance, he would not change his decision.
"Arthur, you shouldn't interfere with the competition. If Tina ends up crying or hurt because you left her alone, you’ll have to answer to me," Flora said.
However, she knew that Tina was a very well-behaved child. Arthur must have made proper arrangements for Tina. Previously, she had secretly visited Arthur's residence once and discovered four bodyguards assigned to look after Tina's safety.
Seeing Flora’s determination, Arthur restrained his words and chose to sit on a nearby bench instead.
Flora could not help but laugh at his shameless behavior. She reached for the walkie-talkie next to her and said, "Security, we have a troublemaker here who refuses to leave. Please deal with this disturbance."
Arthur looked at Flora, stunned.
Under different circumstances, Natalie would have found the moment hilarious.
"Natalie, let's go."
Flora waited until the completion of the award and acceptance speeches on stage, then she urged Natalie to accompany her.
Arthur watched Flora leave, deep in thought.
The Flora of the past never sought conflicts, yet now she was going on stage with Natalie, like a general stepping onto the battlefield. She seized the opportune moment to defend her dignity and honor without any hesitation. She had indeed changed - she had grown stronger.
…
"Natalie, do you trust me?" Flora suddenly asked, her voice carrying a mix of vulnerability and hope.
"Of course. Even if you fail, I’ll be here for you," Natalie replied with a soft and reassuring smile, "However, in all the years we've known each other, I've never witnessed you fail at anything you were determined to achieve."
Flora was characteristically modest and unassuming. She did not seek the limelight or compete for it, but whenever she committed to a goal, she achieved it against all odds.
"Contestant number 19?!"
"Isn't that Eric's student, Wine?"
"Where are the staff? Bring them away!"
"Did contestant number 19 receive zero points? Wasn't it due to plagiarism?"
"Wine, what are you trying to do?"
Fernando's tolerance for those who lacked professional integrity, especially plagiarists, was non-existent, particularly when said plagiarist seemed intent on creating a disturbance.
Natalie stood next to Doris, and with both sets of works displayed for scrutiny, the evidence of plagiarism was irrefutable.
"Mr. Fernando, I wish to inquire why I was awarded zero points. I believe I have the right to question this evaluation," Flora stated calmly, facing Fernando, a figure of considerable esteem in the industry. She motioned toward her work and Susan's, asserting, "I believe my creation is in no way inferior to Susan's."
As Flora made her case, Natalie's attention was drawn to the finer details of Susan's work.
Doris, though nervous, remained stationary to allow Natalie a thorough examination, even lifting the edges of the fabric when Natalie inspected the garment's seams. She felt as if Natalie's scrutinizing gaze was dissecting her, akin to being sliced on a butcher's block.
"Wine, do you really not know, or are you pretending?" Fernando asked angrily, looking intimidating.
"I really don't know," Flora replied.
"You committed plagiarism!" Fernando's voice boomed with indignation. He thought to himself, 'Is she toying with me? What kind of attitude is this?'
Flora approached, took Natalie by the hand, and together they stood before Fernando. Then, she asked, "Mr. Fernando, how did you determine that I committed plagiarism?"
Fernando scoffed and said dismissively, "Are you suggesting that Susan plagiarized your work instead? How ridiculous!"
Natalie frowned. Fernando seemed too confident, as if he possessed concrete evidence of Flora plagiarizing Susan.
"Mr. Fernando, your expertise is unquestionable. Which do you consider superior - my work or Susan's?" Flora said calmly, "I'm aware of your disagreements with my mentor, Eric, and I hope you’ll remain impartial with your judgment."
"I’ve always been impartial and fair!"
Fernando, loathing to have his professional integrity questioned, begrudgingly inspected the finished pieces worn by Natalie and Doris. He said, "I must admit, your work is indeed superior, but it’s a plagiarized work!"
At this time, Susan shook her head and said, "Wine, I’ve heard rumors that you've been imitating my style and designs. I didn't want to believe it, but here you are, stubbornly disrupting the award ceremony. Eric will be disappointed in you."
Natalie looked at Susan. "How can we be certain that Wine is the plagiarist, not you?"
"What do you mean?" Susan's eyes widened with both shock and indignation.
"I designed the dress! Don’t tell me Wine and I are telepathically linked, and we so happened to come up with the same design?”
Natalie chose to ignore Susan - the moment was not right.
"How did all of you conclude that I was the plagiarist?" Flora asked the other judges.
The judges were taken aback. They exchanged glances and fell silent.
After a few seconds, someone spoke up, saying, "Wine, you entered the fashion scene two years after Susan and have always been mimicking her style."
"Indeed! Should we really believe that Susan plagiarized your work?"
"She's your senior. Why would she plagiarize the work of a newcomer?"
"Susan is a distinguished alumnus of an Ivy League school, but you haven't even attended university," one of the judges said contemptuously.
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