Chapter 5 Dark Secrets

Brian clutched a glass of red wine, observing Karlee encircled by the crowd with a mocking grin on his face. "No need. It seems she's having a good time," he said.

Edwin Blake, the Warno Award's director, was drawn by the crowd's murmur. "What's happening here?" he asked.

Before Jeremy could explain, Karlee asked, "Mr. Blake, I must inquire, if a Warno contestant has plagiarized, should their award be revoked?"

The crowd erupted in shock.

Edwin frowned as he regarded Karlee. "Miss, who are you exactly, and what are you implying? Today we celebrate Warno's contestants. If you're here to disrupt the event, I will have to make you leave!"

Jeremy felt a surge of anger. He had claimed Karlee's work, Spring Scenery, as his own, destroying all her drafts and files to stop her from reclaiming it.

He believed Karlee lacked physical proof that Spring Scenery was hers. But if she accused him of plagiarism...

"Mr. Blake, please look at the screen." Karlee connected her phone to the projection system, revealing the design series of Spring Scenery.

"Miss, I fail to see the problem with these designs." Edwin, now adjusting his glasses, began to suspect Karlee was merely seeking attention by challenging the Gold Award winner.

Karlee held a microphone she had prepared in advance and steadied her emotions. "As everyone can see, the Spring Scenery series is founded on embroidery, depicting a lush spring on sheer fabric."

After a pause, she continued, "The key feature here is the double-sided embroidery. The front displays spring blossoms, while the back features butterflies, creating an effect of butterflies resting on flowers, both vivid and lifelike."

Kathryn sneered, "So what? Karlee, are you suggesting Jeremy stole the fabric design from you? That's absurd. Many designers employ similar embroidery techniques. You're hardly unique."

Karlee's gaze grew icy. "True, this kind of embroidered fabric is common. However, the embroidery in this series originates from my university graduation project, Four Seasons. I spent three months perfecting the double-sided embroidery."

She stood confidently, like the heroine in the center of the stage.

Kathryn's disbelief was evident as she said, "You never finished college. How could you have a graduation project? Moreover, claiming plagiarism without evidence is mere slander!"

Karlee had anticipated this reaction.

With a slight smile, she responded, "I registered these embroidery designs with the National Copyright Office long before. Here's the copyright certificate. Would you like to see it?"

She changed the image on the screen, displaying the copyright certificate alongside her embroidery designs.

Her designs matched those used in Jeremy's acclaimed Spring Scenery series, right down to the color palette!

All the people present gasped.

Jeremy was now seething with fury.

"You bitch!" he bellowed, lunging toward Karlee with his hand raised to slap her. "How dare you set me up like this!"

However, the expected slap didn't land.

The next second, someone caught Jeremy's arm in a strong grip and pushed him to the floor.

Behind Karlee, Brian's resonant voice sounded. "Mr. Blake, I never imagined your little competition would harbor such dark secrets. It appears that Warno's partnership with the Olson Group might need reevaluation."

Standing tall, Brian held Karlee protectively in his arms, offering her an unexpected sense of security.

Karlee gazed upward, her eyes only reaching his pronounced jawline.

Her heart raced.

Her new husband was defending her...

"Mr. Olson, there must be a misunderstanding. Warno undertakes thorough checks annually. As the director, I assure you, I would never condone plagiarism," Edwin said, his voice tinged with anxiety. The Olson Group was a major benefactor for Warno, and losing their support could devastate the committee's reputation.

"Mr. Blake, this woman is crazy. She's here to destroy me deliberately. You have to defend me!" Jeremy implored, desperate to salvage his standing. Being found guilty of plagiarism would ruin his career.

"Crazy?" Brian scoffed, his arm protectively around Karlee in her server's uniform. He shot Jeremy a disdainful look. "Are you really calling my wife crazy?"