Chapter 431 Patricia's Witness
Patricia surveyed the crowd with a silent sneer, her gaze sweeping across the audience before settling decisively on Jeremy.
The camera zoomed in, capturing the intensity of Jeremy's emotions – anger, disappointment, and heartbreak – now displayed in high-definition clarity on the big screen.
All eyes in the room, including those of the Koch family, shifted to Jeremy.
Poised and collected, Patricia calmly regarded Jeremy. "Mr. Koch, I trust you'll clear my name."
Grace looked at her as if she were insane. "Patricia, have you lost your mind? Calling on Jeremy to vouch for you?"
Ignoring her, Patricia's steady gaze remained fixed on Jeremy, and she repeated, "Mr. Koch, you know who the real creator is. I trust you to do what's fair."
Jeremy's handsome face turned ashen, his molars clenched.
Shane's brow furrowed in frustration as he called out firmly, "Jeremy."
But Jeremy remained silent, his unwavering eyes on Grace, hoping she'd admit her wrongdoing and drop out.
Alas, he was met with disappointment.
Grace seemed unfazed and stood her ground boldly.
"Calling on Jeremy won't help you. Plagiarism is plagiarism; the evidence is all there. Not even my grandfather's testimony could save you now."
Seeing her unrepentant stance, Jeremy was utterly disheartened. He slowly stood up, and perceiving his intentions, Shane grabbed his hand with a firm grip and demanded, "Jeremy, what are you trying to do?"
Jeremy locked eyes with Shane and said, "Grandpa, you've always taught me to be honest and open. I can't stand by and keep quiet when I know the truth, letting Patricia suffer an undeserved accusation."
Shane's face went pale with shock. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but in the end, he said nothing and let go of Jeremy's hand.
Jeremy, with a heavy heart, walked out of the auditorium toward the stage.
As he approached, a sense of foreboding surged within Grace. She had a feeling things were not straightforward.
Could Jeremy know something?
Once on stage, Jeremy didn't even glance at Grace again. He took the microphone from Patricia's hands and declared solemnly, "I am Jeremy Koch. I can testify that this piece of art is Patricia's original work; my sister copied her design. No, 'copied' isn't accurate—it should be 'duplicated.'"
People erupted into gasps, looking at him in disbelief.
Whispers and speculation about the truth in his words spread through the crowd. Even the live feed was a frenzy of activity.
"Damn, what's happening? A twist?"
"He's Grace's brother. He wouldn't side with a stranger over his sister, would he? So, he must be telling the truth."
"Is Jeremy really choosing justice over family?"
"How does he know for sure that the artwork belongs to Patricia?"
"Looking at his expression, it seems genuine."
"Holy cow, so Grace is the plagiarist?"
"Not only that, but she accused contestant number twenty of copying, which is just hypocritical."
"That's just shameful of contestant number five."
"Contestant number five belongs to the Koch family. Do you think the Kochs might be biased?"
"That's hard to tell. Didn't Mr. Langley from the Koch family just try to stop Jeremy from coming forward? Clearly, there's favoritism toward contestant number five."
"Poor contestant number twenty. Running into number five must be like bad luck that's lasted for generations."
After Jeremy uttered those words, the camera quickly panned to Riley, then shifted to Shane.
Both of their faces were contorted with displeasure. Shane, in particular, had fiery red eyes ablaze with anger.
Hearing the string of curses echoing through the space, Grace felt like she was about to explode with fury. Her eyes instantly reddened as she looked at Jeremy with pitiable confusion. "Jeremy, why are you helping her frame me? I'm your sister!"
In the past, the sight of her tears would have immediately softened Jeremy's heart. He would mindlessly take her side without any principle or limit. But this time, he felt nothing.
"You might not know this! Her final design was finished long before," he said.
Grace's face turned deathly pale, her mind reeling, nearly collapsing to the ground.
She hadn't realized that the designs had been a collaborative effort with Jeremy.
Jeremy continued, "Angie's video was shot a week ago, but Patricia's design was completed two weeks prior. Logically, how could she have stolen your design?"
The implication was clear: Angie was lying.
Angie, defiant, quickly retorted, "I saw her with my own eyes coming out of Grace's room, holding a sketch in her arms."
Jeremy looked at her, his gaze and expression saying everything without a word.
Angie felt deeply offended as if her character had been insulted.
Jeremy approached Grace with a chuckle, but then his tone turned serious. "I've been waiting, hoping you'll admit your mistake and withdraw from the competition. But blinded by greed, you feel no remorse and refuse to confess. Grace, I care for you deeply, but you've truly let me down."
Grace's knees gave out, and she stumbled backward.
Jeremy then turned to the judges and reiterated with solemn assurance, "I swear on my integrity that everything I've said is the truth. I witnessed contestant number twenty's complete design. Contestant number five's entry is a duplicate of it."
Riley's eyes narrowed sharply, a cold glint within them.
"I understand. You may step down now."
Jeremy nodded, ready to walk away, when Grace spoke up.
"Wait."
Jeremy paused and turned back. "What more do you want to say?"
Grace, her face ashen, tear-filled eyes gazing at Jeremy, choked up. "Jeremy, are you really going to betray your principles for her and turn your back on your sister?"
Jeremy furrowed his brow, puzzled by her cryptic message.
Seeing his silence, Grace wore an expression of smug understanding.
"I get it now. In your eyes, I'll never measure up to her. Fine then, I have nothing left to lose."
Jeremy was befuddled.
A sense of dread inexplicably rose within him.
His instincts soon proved correct.
Grace wiped away a non-existent tear and said, "I didn't want to say it, but..."
She paused and then continued, "But Jeremy, you've broken my heart."
Then, turning to face everyone, she announced loudly, "Jeremy is lying. He—"
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