96

Bethany walked over to Zayn's table and said, “Mr. Meyer, to control the usage of the fabrics for the Oceania project, I'd like to apply for a dedicated storeroom to which only I have the sole access”.
Apart from this reason, she also wanted to do this because of Joanna's evil intentions.
In her understanding of Joanna, Joanna would try to do something to the material after she had obtained it.
Joanna would do anything to force Bethany out of the Blue Ridge company and she can't afford to have her way just yet.
“Okay” Zayn agreed without thinking twice and then he went ahead to say, “Next time you don't have to bother with all these arrangements. Just look for Gael and he would have everything arranged for you”.
Bethany was surprised to hear the coldness in his tone and then nodded, “Okay. Then leave if there isn't anything else. I'll have Someone deliver the keys to you. ” Zayn instructed and waved his hand.
Bethany was dazed as she looked at him and then turned to leave as instructed.
She wondered why he suddenly became so distant and cold towards her.
What did she do to upset him?
Bethany wondered but did not dwell too much on it.
She went back to the design department and her cell phone began to ring.
“Benny!, Congratulations on coming in first for the Wise Creativity Competition!" Erica happily said.
Bethany was puzzled and asked Erica, “what did you say? First in what competition?”.
“What? Why are you denying it?” Erica asked
“I'm not. Why would I do that?” Bethany quickly replied?
Erica seemed to Understand what had happened and said, “Benny, did you even participate In the Wise Creativity Competition?”.
Bethany confirmed, "No, I didn't"
She was aware of this competitions Creativity Competition was the most prestigious competition in the industry.
She had wanted to enroll for it but kept putting it off because she was too busy thinking of a way to get through with her plans and she didn't even want to expose herself just yet.
"How could it be? Erica frowned and continued, "How could Ms.Meyer win the competition if you did not participate in it?”
“Ms. Meyer? Bethany narrowed her eyes”
“Yeah” Erica nodded and continued, “I saw that the winner was a design that you had previously drawn. Furthermore, the name of the winner was Ms. Meyer. That was why I thought that you had participated. Now that you confirmed that it wasn't you, could it be that someone stole your design and impersonated you for the competition?"
Bethany frowned when she heard this, pursed her lips, and then said, I think that I know what happened. Perhaps you guessed right that someone stole my design. However, apart from me, there I another person with the same name tag as mine."
Erica was intelligent and could guess what Bethany meant and said, "Benny, do you mean that boss of yours?"
"Yes, it should be here but I'd need to confirm it on the official website."
On saying this, she placed the cell phone down and then went to the official Wise Creativity Competition website. She tensed up as soon as she saw the winning design.
It was indeed her design and not even the slightest modification!
“Benny how? Have you confirmed? Erica asked anxiously.
Bethany then came to her senses and looked at the bottom right of the design which had Joanna's signature stamp.
She was boiling up within her as she picked up the cell phone and said, "It's her!"
She had known that Joanna and Danica habitually plagiarized others' designs but never had she expected that one day she would fall victim to Joanna.
What Joanna had plagiarized were the works that Bethany had done last year in response to assignments given to her by Morales, her mentor.
The theme of the assignment was Autumn. She came up with more than twenty designs
A only selected a few. Morales had no interest in the rest of them and instructed her to throw them away however, she could not bear to and specially registered a social media account and placed them there for keepsake. Who could expect Joanna to see them?
"Ha! Now that she had plagiarized your work, we should go to the competition officials and expose her!" Erica said angrily.
Bethany bit her lips and said, "No."
"But why? Erica was confused.
Bethany took a deep breath and said, "The design that Joanna copied was done by me under the persona Burnett. My mentor had insisted that before I made a name for myself in the industry. I have made a name that should be protected at any cost. I'm not going to reveal this Burnett persona anytime soon!”
“Then we could only let Joanna get away with/it? Erica asked with displeasure.
Bethany scoffed, "How's that possible? I always detest a person who steals and copies. I will not let her off easily. If she wants to plagiarize, I'll let her do as much as she wants!"
“Benny, you mean... ” Erica eagerly waited to hear Bethany's plans.
Bethany grinned, "Just as you imagined."
Joanna was never talented enough to make her designs.
She attained her position by copying others' designs. Since Joanna won first place in this competition, she would plagiarize again for the following elimination competitions.
Bethany would release more designs: on the social media account for Joanna to copy. The Oceania project would most likely be ready when the competition reaches the final round. Joanna would also gain significant attention at this juncture.
Then, Bethany could come out in the person of Bethany Burnett and expose Joanna for plagiarizing.
She would then take over all that Joanna had achieved during this period.
Bethany ended the call and quickly went to the wise Creativity competition website to check out when the next round of competition would be. She then picked out some designs to bait Joanna with.
At this moment, Joanna clapped to get everyone's attention and said, “Attention please everyone, stop what you are doing at the moment”.
Everyone stopped and looked at her, including Bethany.
Joanna was all smiles and in an excellent mood when she said, "Eight o'clock tonight let's gather at the private dining room 23 in Sunshine Restaurant. My treat. Everyone's got to go!"
Everyone naturally nodded and someone even asked, "Ms. Meyer, what are you celebrating?”
"Silly, didn't you see the announcement by the Wise Creativity competition website? Ms. Meyer”
“I came in first for our district "Exactly Joanna said and looked at the person and continued,“ I'm very happy to come in first and that's why I'm giving everyone a treat."
On hearing this, everyone went over to congratulate her only Bethany remained at her position and grinned as she observed the scene.
How shameless was she to have copied her design and now celebrated the achievement as if it was her own? Bethany thought to herself.
Then Joanna looked in her direction and then said, “Bethany, it looks like you're not too happy that I won first place”.
Bethany stood up and then replied calmly, You're mistaken, Ms. Meyer. I was distracted with some other matters."
"Oh? Then can I ask what you are thinking about? Joanna looked towards her curiously but was fiddling with her bright red fingernails.
Bethany nodded and stared at Joanna, "Of course. I was thinking about how Ms. Meyer's design style differed so drastically from the past. Can you give us your reasons for doing so?” Bethany asked, looking at her directly with her gaze fixed on Joanna.
This look was filled with suspicion and curiosity as she waited for her answers.
Joanna was thrown off guard by this question. She quickly collected her thoughts and then said with gritted teeth“ What's the meaning of this, Bethany? Are you doubting me?”
“I'm just curious. It's okay if Ms. Meyer doesn't want to share with us”, Bethany replied calmly.
Joanna scoffed, What Can't I share? Isn't it common for designers to change conceptually as time goes on? What's so strange about that? Instead of wasting your time doubting me, why don't you just do whatever you are assigned?”
After saying, Joanna trotted off in her high heels but it was obvious that she was unsettled.
Bethany sighed as Joanna walked away.
Change conceptually? Everyone knew that designers usually stick to their design concept!
How could Joanna even say something wrong? Didn't she notice that the other designer's expressions had all changed?
I had indeed underestimated you all this time. I'll make things right, I'm going to fix the first mistake I have made and I won't let you soil my land with illness!