Chapter 31
Matilda’s voice rang out loudly, drawing the attention of many in the room.
Subsequently, Stephanie turned to Ellen and expressed solemnly, “I did not plagiarize. This is my design.”
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Matilda sneered, “With the same style, who would believe you didn’t plagiarize? You must understand that Flore is a designer of Fantasy Boutique. You’ve only been working there for a month. What could you possibly design? Stephanie, you should apologize to Mrs. Fletcher. She’s generous and will surely forgive you.”
Stephanie remained composed. “You have never trusted me, not in the past nor now. I did not plagiarize. This is my original work.”
Matilda stared at her. “If you didn’t plagiarize, does it mean Flore did?”
“You have quite the judgment, don’t you?” Stephanie turned to Florence. “Florence, think carefully before you speak. Did I plagiarize your work?”
Florence bit her lip and glanced at Ellen. “Mrs. Ellen Fletcher, this truly is my creation. I don’t know why Stephie’s design ended up being the same as mine.” She forced a smile. “Perhaps it’s a case of twin telepathy.”
Lorelai chuckled. “How could that be possible? The details are identical. Who would believe it’s just twin telepathy?”
Vincent held Stephanie’s hand. “I trust Stephie. If she says it’s her work, I believe her. After all, for an S-class designer from Starlight Design Studio to plagiarize a designer of Fantasy Boutique is simply implausible.”
Lorelai was taken aback. “What?”
Vincent sneered, ‘Is your hearing failing you, Lorelai?”
Lorelai was in disbelief. “Isn’t Stephanie a designer at Fantasy Boutique? How did she end up at Starlight Design Studio? And… and an S-class designer? How is that possible? Douglas, is this true?”
Douglas nodded unwillingly.
Lorelai laughed awkwardly. “Vincent must have helped a lot.”
“This has nothing to do with Mr. Fletcher,” a crisp voice interjected.
Everyone turned to see Julianna, dressed in a form-fitting dress, approaching Ellen. “Mrs. Fletcher, I’m Julianna Saunders, Darius Saunders’ youngest daughter. I wish you a happy birthday.”
Ellon nodded. “Thanks, Julia.”
Julianna smiled. “You may not know, but Starlight Design Studio hired Stephanie.
25
a** designer with an annual salary of 40 million dollars, plus a
ten percent commission on annual sales.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd at her words.
Someone exclaimed, “Isn’t Starlight Design Studio’s Ms. Star given the same treatment?”
Julianna nodded. “Indeed. So how could such an exceptional designer as Stephanie possibly plagiarize an ordinary designer?”
Matilda immediately defended her precious daughter and retorted, “Who knows if you only hired Stephanie because of Mr. Fletcher’s influence?” Julianna scoffed. “I’ve never seen a mother like you. You have twin daughters, yet you treat them so differently. Florence stole Stephanie’s sample,
12:25 Mon, 27 May
Chapter 31
passed it off as her own, and got into an entertainment company, leaving Stephanie to suffer for so long. Instead of criticizing her, you protect her. Now that Stephanie has achieved something, you fail to take pride in her and question her abilities. I don’t understand. How can you overlook such a talented daughter?”
Matilda faltered. “I was just stating the facts. As far as I know, Stephanie didn’t produce quality rough sketches while at Fantasy Boutique.”
Stephanie turned to Florence. “So, where did my high-quality rough sketch go?”
Florence’s eyes darted around nervously. She was scared about Stephanie publicly revealing that all her rough sketches were not her work. Having recently endured the ordeal of a vocal double, she didn’t want the matter of the rough sketches to come to light, as it would ruin her reputation. “They say twins have a telepathic connection, so perhaps it was just a coincidence that Stephie and I had the same idea.” Florence forced another smile.
The rough sketch was drawn
wn by S
Stephanie and hadn’t been sent to Florence. The day before the engagement party, Florence saw the sketch in Stephanie’s office and kept it in mind. Hence, they had identical designs.
Since Stephanie had burned the original draft, it wouldn’t benefit her to confront Florence. She smiled. “Florence, the truth always comes out in the end
Florence smiled in return. “Indeed, Stephie.”
Stephanie turned to Ellen. “This brooch features a simple and elegant design, perfect for the elderly, symbolizing health and good fortune. However, the brooch isn’t meant to be red but purple, as purple has always been a color of elegance and nobility. The gemstone is tanzanite, with top-notch saturation, purity, and cutting quality. This color of tanzanite represents only one percent of global production.”
Florence gritted her teeth, seething with hatred for Stephanie..
Although Stephanie didn’t directly expose her plagiarism, her analysis was convincing.
Ellen nodded repeatedly. “Stephie is right. This brooch is indeed more suited to purple. I love it.” This indirect affirmation of Stephanie meant that no one would believe accusations of her plagiarism.
Kevin, who had been watching the commotion, chuckled. “The notion of twin telepathy, I wonder if it’ll happen again in the future. If it does, it’ll be quite interesting.”
“The chances seem slim now. After all, they’re so far apart” Julianna laughed.
This statement had a double meaning. Everyone present was astute enough to understand, and it was best to leave the matter birthday, and nobody wanted to make a scene.
The crowd then dispersed. Vincent went off to attend to his duties while Stephanie and Julianna headed to the dessert area.
“Florence has no shame, just copying your Julianna said, snagging some dessert.
there. This was still Ellen’s
stuff and acting all innocent. I’m dying to see what a mess Fantasy Boutique turns into with her in charge,”
Stephanie pondered for a moment. “It will probably be mediocre. Florence doesn’t have much talent in this regard.”
Julianna chuckled. “It’s nuts how you and Florence are nothing alike. You knock everything
are you two even twins? You sure you didn’t get mixed
up as babies?”
“Nope, that’s a long shot,” Stephanie replied with a giggle.
g out of the park, and she’s all about the easy way out. How
Julianna clicked her tongue. “Your mom sounds like she’s straight out of a fairy tale the evil stepmom type.”
–
“Maybe I did something wrong to her without knowing, so she doesn’t like me.” Stephanie sighed.
Just then, an attendant brought a tray of orange juice and red wine. Stephanie and Julianna each took a glass of orange juice.
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Chapter 31
They went to the lounge area, settling onto the couch and nibbling on desserts while sipping their drinks.
Before long Julianna began to feel weak. “Stephie, why do I feet so weak all of a sudden? Who s p i k d our drinks?”
Stephanie, having drunk less, didn’t feel the effects strongly but still experienced symptoms
She immediately retrieved two small white pills from her handbag, swallowing one herself and slipping the other into Julianna’s mouth.
As she supported Julianna, she whispered, “Play along”