The Queen's Back

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 If Mona had voluntarily withdrawn from the competition earlier, I wouldn't have released this.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.NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.

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.

Molly responded by asking questions, saying, "So you're saying that I plagiarized? Do you think that's possible?"

She thought, 'I'm already well-known

as Danielle's mentee in the design world, far more reputable than Mona. And who is Mona, anyway? She's only slightly well-known in Nathontown. Now they are saying I plagiarized her design. Oh please, who would even believe that?'

"That's right. Mona said she didn't plagiarize. Could it be that the person who plagiarized was Danielle's mentee? I don't believe that."

"I don't believe it either. Mona is obviously lying. Even if Molly wanted to plagiarise, she could randomly copy a few of Danielle's rejected drafts, which would be better than what Mona designs."

"And that guy beside Mona. He's good-looking, but it's a pity that he is lacking in judgment."

"Chase her out of Noretin Design Competition. We still want to watch the rest of the competition."

The spectators' arguing got louder and louder. They were all blaming Mona.

"Whoever plagiarized is well aware of who did it," Mona said sternly, looking at Molly with anger in her eyes.

Faced with Mona's questioning, Molly said directly, "Contact the organizer."

In order not to let this plagiarism incident affect the subsequent rounds of the competition, Mona's qualification to participate was suspended.

She watched as her gown was taken back by the staff, her eyes filled with reluctance.

She thought, 'I didn't plagiarize.'

As soon as Mona was helped off the stage by Maxwell, those who were familiar with her walked over. It was unknown if they were here to comfort her or to see her make a fool of herself. The moment Barbara saw Mona, she walked up to her and said, "Mona, I believe that you designed the gown yourself. It might just be a coincidence that you and that judge have the same idea." Her words indicated that she believed Mona, but at the same time, she also said it might be a coincidence.

'But can there be such a coincidence in the world?' Mona thought. 'Everyone's ideas are different. There's no way there could be such a coincidence.' Someone in the crowd said, "Can there be such a coincidence?"

"Shut up," Leander said. After that, he said to Mona, "Mr. Carter, Mona, you guys go and rest first. I'll keep an eye on the competition matters." Maxwell said nothing. He held Mona's cold hand and walked inside. It was difficult to anticipate that such an incident would occur.

Mona choked up as she said, "Maxwell, I didn't plagiarize."

Hearing those words come from him, she finally managed to show a hint of a rare smile after everything that had happened.

"Mona, I believe you," Maxwell said without hesitation.

This competition was live-streamed

on the Internet. Naturally, all netizens immediately knew about the news of Mona's "plagiarism.", The comments in the live chat were even more infuriating. There were all kinds of comments, including that one bad apple spoiled the whole bunch and that Mona didn't deserve to be a designer.

Molly had sufficient evidence to accuse Mona of plagiarism, while Mona had no proof to defend herself. In the end, Mona's design was deemed plagiarized, resulting in her being permanently banned from participating in the Design, Competition.

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When they left the venue of the Design Competition, it started to rain heavily. The summer wind was bone-chilling.

She had thought that she would not stand out today. She had even thought that few people would like Color, which was designed by her. However, it did not occur to her that things would turn out like this. She designed the gown, but in the end, she did not even have the right to showcase it.

Mona's delicate nose was reddened by the wind, and her face was expressionless.