Rural Belle & Three Heirs by Harper Hall

Chapter 131 Slandering Me

When Grant brought up the plagiarism issue again and asked her to provide evidence that she hadn't copied,

Sophia was momentarily stunned.

A trace of panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly tried to calm herself. Raising her head, she said, "This is

indeed my personal creation. Every design detail was completed byalone. What kind of proof do you need?"

Grant didn't even glance at her and said, "Proof that you didn't copy someone else's work. You claim this design

is yours? Who can back that up?"

Sophia, somewhat awkwardly, said, "Mr. Martin, | designed this piece at home. | only got inspiration in the middle

of the night. There's no one to vouch for that.

Besides, there are so many award-winning pieces this time. Why are you singlingout? Why don't you say

that Chloe's grand prize-winning work is plagiarized?" Sophia dragged Chloe into the conversation.

Chloe was infuriated by her attempt to involve her. With a cold laugh, she retorted, "Sophia, are you out of your

mind? You can't provide evidence, so you dragdown?

| studied design at Quest University and was a top student. How could | possibly plagiarize?"

Then Sophia turned to Grant. "But, Mr. Martin, why do you suspect my work is plagiarized?"

Grant looked at Sophia, his lips slightly parted as he said, "Because I've seen your design before."

Grant's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing countless ripples. The atmosphere in the

conference room bectense once again, with everyone's attention focused on Sophia and Grant.

Sophia's heart sank with a sense of foreboding. She struggled to maintain her composure and asked, "Mr. Martin,

where have you seen this piece before? Under what circumstances?"

The piece Sophia entered into the competition was actually something she had fished out from Grant's trash bin.

She had accidentally cacross the sketch, and its simple yet clever design left a deep impression on her.

Thinking that if it had been thrown away, Grant didn't value it, she hatched a plan. She decided to make a few

modifications and submit it as her own entry.

At the time, she never imagined that Grant would have any recollection of the piece. However, she

underestimated him. She thought that the slightly modified work would becher masterpiece, and she never

anticipated that Grant would still remember seeing the original sketch.

Desperately, she argued, "Mr. Martin, you must have seen it when | submitted it, so it looks familiar to you."

Sophia said this while observing Grant and Chloe carefully.

Grant had so many things to deal with daily; Sophia though maybe she could bluff her way through.

"If you really think there's a problem with my design, I'll just take it back." Sophia said, grabbing her winning

piece and preparing to leave.

Her actions caught Chloe's attention. Seeing her sneaky behavior, Chloe knew something was up.

Chloe quickly stepped forward, blocking her path. "Why take it back? Since it won fifth place, everyone should

learn from it. Let's see how a complete novice like Miss Brown designed a fifth-place piece."

Without another word, Chloe snatched the design from Sophia's hands.

When Chloe saw the design, her eyes widened. She looked at Sophia, then at Grant.

"This design... it looks like mine," Chloe said, recognizing the short skirt.

She had originally planned to submit this design to the Martin Group, a simple, elegant, and lively short skirt. But

later, she decided to design a more luxurious dress for the high-end clientele the Martin Group catered to.

She had tossed the original design into Grant's trash can. How did it end up here as Sophia's work?

Did Sophia pick it up and secretly submit it?

If that was the case, Sophia was not just committing plagiarism anymore; it was copyright infringement.

"Yours? Chloe, don't talk nonsense. How could my design be yours?

Mr. Martin accusedof plagiarism and asked for evidence. Now you say this design

is yours, so show your evidence.

If you can't, I'll call the police for slander."

Sophia panicked, trying to intimidate Chloe.

After scolding Chloe, she turned to Grant. "Mr. Martin, you can't be so biased. | know Chloe has an engagement

with the Martin brothers, but that doesn't justify protecting her.

You suspectof plagiarism because you're my boss, but why should this ugly girl claim my work as hers?

I'm studying management, but does that mean | can't learn design?"

Sophia's remark might sound reasonable at first, but Grant furrowed his brow, his annoyance with Sophia

reaching its peak.

Stanley, standing nearby, also felt Sophia seemed like a victim.

"Mr. Martin, could there be a misunderstanding? Maybe Miss Brown really did design

this piece?" Stanley softly suggested to Grant.

Hearing Stanley, Sophia felt a bit more confident.

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"She designed it? Don't be ridiculous. Stanley, have you ever seen a designer leave someone else's non

their work?" Chloe sneered.

Sophia panicked again. "Name? Chloe, open your eyes. My nis clearly on this design. How can you say it's

yours?

Can't you even recognize your own name?

Apologize now, and | might forgive your ignorance. Otherwise, I'll call the police to protect my rights."

Sophia pulled out her phone, pretending to call the police.

Stanley grew anxious, whispering to

Grant, "Mr. Martin, today is the Martin

Group's tga leaf fe police

nbwi, it NG t cause unnecessary

trouble. Maybe we can find another

solution?" The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Grant understood Stanley's point, and so did Chloe.

For a large corporation like the Martin

Group, maintaining its [epUilatpnvas

crucial. uefa mihok Sue should

nb be blown out of proportion and

becwidely known. The content is

on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Stanley's suggestion eased Sophia's tension a bit.

She was sure Grant would take Stanley's advice.

But unexpectedly, Grant firmly declared, "The Martin Group has thrived in Sovereign

City for years by adhering to a principle of integrity.

| won't tolerate any plagiarism, even if it means calling the police and risking our reputation.

Chloe, you said your nis on this design. Find it now. If you can't, I'll call the police myself."