The Princess and the Pauper

Chapter 222

“Until they’re willing to fork it over.”

“That guy ain’t exactly hurting for cash, Julian added, “Word is he’s a top–tier member at QY…”

“We gotta get it by sundown.”

“Roger that.” Julian knew that whatever the boss wanted, he’d get it. Even though QY claimed the guy

had some serious clout, and not someone you’d want to cross…

But then again, was there anyone you’d dare to cross when his boss?

“Oh, by the way, boss. There’s a national fashion design competition, and they’re hoping to have you

as a judge.”

Though the Collins family business wasn’t exactly fashion–oriented, Hans Collins was a big shot. He

also made a splash in the fashion industry last year with his exceptional design talent. A shirt he

designed back in his younger days was quite the sensation.

But ever since he took over the company, he’s been all business all the time, frequently out of the

country and barely even home.

The organizers needed some big names on the judging panel, and landing Hans Collins would surely

turn heads for this national competition.

1 ain’t got time for that,” Hans wasn’t keen on wasting his time on such a competition. This trip back

home was mostly to see his sister. He’d be up to his eyeballs in work for the next few months and

might not make it home for a good while.

“Got it, I’ll turn them down.”

Just as Arabella got back to the office, her assistant Dean rushed up to her, “Ms. Bennett, we’ve got a

major issue! Out of the 33 new designs we’re launching tomorrow, 23 of them are identical to our

competitor’s new releases! Worst part is, they launched theirs today! They’re flying off the shelves on

live–streaming platforms and online stores! I did some quick math, they’ve already sold nearly eight

thousand pieces! At this rate, they’ll hit ten thousand in no time!”

Arabella’s face turned stone cold. It was impossible!

Out of nowhere, how could 23 out of 33 of their new designs be identical to their competitor’s?

Someone’s definitely playing dirty tricks behind the scenes!

“I’m not quite sure what’s going on yet!” Dean was as jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof, “Because all 23

identical designs were done by Designer Molly. Mr. Oscar just held a meeting and gave Molly a real

tongue lashing, she, she…”

“What happened to her?”

“She got so upset she started crying!”

Arabella dashed into the elevator and headed straight to the design department, where she heard

Oscar still shouting at Molly.

“All you do is crying, what are you crying for? Don’t act like I’m framing you!” Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Here are the 33 designs our competitor launched today! I had someone buy 23 of them! Take a good

look, am I framing you?”

Oscar threw all 23 designs at Molly.

Molly was dumbstruck, staring at the designs in disbelief, “I don’t know…”

She truly had no clue what was going on.

“You must have copied our competitor’s sketches!”

“I didn’t!” Molly choked back tears as she defended herself, “These designs, they’re all my original

work…

She definitely didn’t plagiarize!

“Don’t you dare make baseless accusations!” The head of the design department, Samual, retorted

firmly, “Molly’s not that sort of person! She’s very talented in design. She has no reason to rip off

someone else’s work!”

Molly was more than capable of coming up with these designs on her own!

“Then how do you explain all this?” Oscar pointed at the clothes scattered on the floor, skeptical, “If

only one design were identical, I could chalk it up to coincidence. But these are 23 identical designs.

Can you give me a reasonable explanation?”

Samual looked at the clothes on the floor, equally clueless about what was going on, but he stood firm,

“Everyone in the department witnesses Molly’s design process every day…

That’s right. Molly didn’t plagiarize, I can vouch for her, these designs are all her own.”

“She often works late into the night, long after everyone else has left. I only found out because I once

forgot my house keys and had to go back to the office.

“Molly truly loves this industry. She would never do anything to harm its reputation or her own!”

“I trust Molly!”

“And so do I!”