Billionaire

Chapter 246

(Can’t believe she’d been caught red–handed plagiarizing Miss Y’s work, and not just any work–pieces from Miss Y’s student days, no less!]

(Who’s Miss Y? Is she a big deal in the industry?] someone asked.

[Miss Y isn’t famous for fashion design. She was a world–renowned jewelry design genius, one of the lead designers for the prestigious brand QUEEN.J

[Wow, true talent really has no boundaries,] another person commented.

[Just five minutes ago, Miss Y made her Instagram public, revealing a treasure trove of fashion designs. Among them is a design identical to the one Lisa submitted, right down to the name “Timeless Garden.“]

[Lisa’s got some nerve, plagiarizing without even changing the name. It’s laughably stupid!]

[And it isn’t just “Timeless Garden.” Several designs Lisa submitted for Belle Époque were blatant rip–offs of Miss Y’s work, although poorly executed. “Timeless Garden” is a direct, unaltered copy, and Miss Y announced she’d be taking legal action against Belle Époque for copyright infringement.]

[These designs arenever supposed to be public. Miss Y kept them private on her Instagram, probably not even bothering to address Lisa’s previous subpar attempts at plagiarism. But this time, Lisa went too far, brazenly entering an international competition with a direct copy of Miss Y’s work. It is beyond shameless.]

[But how did Lisa even get her hands on these private works?] someone wondered aloud.

The live chat room was on fire with discussions, and the hashtag #BelleÉpoquePlagiarism rocketed to the top of the trending topics.

Jacob watched everything unfold from behind his screen, feeling as if he had plummeted from the heavens into an abyss.

“This bastard! What a disaster!” he shouted, throwing his laptop to the ground in frustration.

He had been counting on the two Belle Époque pieces to win big, propelling the brand into the limelight and securing its place among top–tier brands. But now, after the plagiarism scandal exposed, Belle Époque was instantly associated with copying, piracy, inferior quality, and thievery.

Jacob’s emotions were all over the place, like a rollercoaster plunging from the highest peaks to the deepest valleys.

“I knew it! She’s been nothing but trouble. We never should have taken her in!” Jacob paced anxiously. “The Meadows family’s work, my life’s work–is all ruined by her!”

1/2

15:24

May

Leah was equally stunned. After all, Lisa was fler biological daughter. There had been a mix–up at the hospital years ago, and as a mother, Leah felt an undeniable responsibility. Despite all the foolish mistakes Lisa had made over the years, Leah had always been lenient and accommodating out of guilt.

A slight talent in design was the only good thing Leah thought she saw in Lisa. But now, was even that sole redeeming quality stolen?

Meanwhile, Lisa faced the accusations of plagiarism with utter disbelief, vehemently denying them.

It wasn’t until the official presentation displayed all of Miss Y’s Instagram works on the big screen that Lisa was truly floored.

The designs, complete with posting dates, showed that “Timeless Garden” was created six years ago. Every detail, down to the minutiae of the design, was identical to what Lisa had showcased today.

Lisa felt as if she had been struck on the head, dizzy and disoriented, unable to grasp the reality of her situation.