Chapter 49: Chapter 49: No Longer Weak or Easily Bullied
As soon as the words were spoken, the entire venue erupted in chaos.
At the site of the finals, if the championship work is exposed as plagiarized, not only the work itself but the author will have a hard time in the design world.
This is a major taboo.
The judges’ expressions darkened.
While everyone was busy discussing, Amelia Sutton had two people brought in.
As soon as they entered, they saw Serena Yeats on stage and immediately started shouting insults.
"You ungrateful girl, making a fool of yourself here." Mr. Yeats shouted loudly.
"Dear teachers, my daughter took a leave of absence from college. She can’t draw these works and has never learned how." Mrs.Yeats looked pleadingly at the judges.
All the judges were swayed, because her parents said so.
Everyone looked at Serena Yeats.
Nathan Sawyer couldn’t stand it any longer and stood up.
"Uncle, Auntie, speak with conscience. You’re the ones who prevented Serena from attending school ever since she was a child. It was only after community workers came to advise and warn you that you sent Serena to school.
Serena’s tuition was earned by herself. You never gave her enough to eat and often beat her. She’s been able to draw since she was little and loves designing jewelry and clothing.
You either burned her drafts or secretly sold them to some fashion designers. Isn’t that how you funded your shop?"
After hearing this, everyone started pointing fingers at Mr. Yeats and Mrs.Yeats.
Serena Yeats looked at everything in front of her, dazed.
"Did you plagiarize?" Nion asked Serena Yeats, looking at her.
"I didn’t plagiarize. My inspiration came from my teacher, Grandpa Keaton, and my husband’s proposal to me. I believe we are each other’s ’only,’ like the wedding outfit in Grandpa Keaton’s home."
Serena Yeats answered with determination.
Nion glanced at her assistant, who immediately stepped out.
Then she looked at the pair below, "You’re not my parents anymore; we’re no longer related since the day you tried to sell me to someone old enough to be my father.
We broke ties. I had Elias conduct a paternity test with you, revealing I’m not your child.
That’s why you hated me, beat and cursed me, wouldn’t let me go to school, and tried to sell me."
Amelia Sutton tried to walk onto the stage, but the staff immediately stopped her.
Then, Nion’s assistant brought in two people, the community staff from Serena Yeats’ neighborhood.
"David Yeats, Scarlett Jewel, didn’t you leave Aethelgard? Why are you back trying to sell your daughter again?"
The crowd erupted in astonishment.
Mr. Yeats and Mrs.Yeats didn’t dare speak because the community workers knew their family situation well.
Nion somewhat understood, "Please escort unrelated personnel from the venue."
Amelia Sutton shot a harsh look at the person who blocked her, asking, "Serena Yeats, you say they’re not your real parents, but they raised you to adulthood.
With their conditions, they couldn’t afford to hire renowned teachers to guide you. How could you possibly have such exceptional talent?
Plagiarism is plagiarism. Admit it, and given you haven’t been educated and lack culture, we’ll forgive your ignorance!"
Serena Yeats’ background was thus revealed publicly.
And early on the night of the proposal, Theodore Lynch had posted the proposal photos of Elias Lancaster on social media.
While Serena Yeats and Elias Lancaster were traveling abroad, netizens were already flooded with such romantic content.
At that moment, some competitors, eager for the drama, posted the incident online.
Quickly, people realized Serena Yeats was Master Lancaster’s fiancée from The Lancaster Group, and the proposal photo from New Year’s Eve resurfaced.
After seeing everything, everyone was shocked, thinking with such a background, Serena must have plagiarized someone else’s work.
Yet on second thought, maybe there could be insider issues with the competition itself.
Amid all the speculation, Serena Yeats stepped forward.
"My background is unfortunate, but not something I can choose. Some are born into great families but lack talent.
Just like Amelia Sutton, some people are born underprivileged but have extraordinary talent, like me."
Nathan Sawyer quietly walked upstage, shielding her, fearing Amelia Sutton might rush forward and hurt Serena Yeats.
"I have talent, but you don’t, something you can’t force."
"Shut up!" Amelia Sutton yowled, like a cat with its tail stepped on, instantly bristling.
The entire Sutton Family are designers. But when it comes to her, she’s very mediocre, unable to create good designs no matter how much effort the family expends.
Touched on a sore spot, Amelia Sutton tried rushing onto the stage; the staff hurriedly held her back, and Nathan Sawyer watched her warily.
Serena Yeats’ expression cooled, somewhat resembling Elias Lancaster’s stoic demeanor, "You accuse me of plagiarism; then show evidence. If you have none, I’ll sue you!"
Amelia Sutton hadn’t expected Serena Yeats, seemingly harmless as a white rabbit, to be this tough. Her face turned pale.
With no way to retaliate.
While the contestants below.
The person who had just posted the plagiarism incident online shouted loudly.
"Serena Yeats is Elias Lancaster’s fiancée from The Lancaster Group, proposed to on New Year’s Eve. It was all over online recently."
Serena Yeats was puzzled; how did she not know this had made it online?
Oh, she was abroad playing with the uncle and hadn’t checked her phone.
But this time, the debates below grew more intense.
Someone said, "Who would dare offend this one?"
Another commented, "Even if it was plagiarism, who’d dare speak out?"
"Indeed, she would be The Lancaster Group’s future lady boss; even winning first place by plagiarism, who could say anything?"
"Amelia Sutton was unlucky, becoming the righteous whistleblower."
"You’re talking nonsense. My Serena isn’t like that!" Nathan Sawyer was very angry. "Serena’s learning skills are evident to all; the scholarships are all hers."
Serena Yeats felt speechless watching Nathan Sawyer arguing with the crowd.
Nion seized the opportunity to ask, "Are you really Elias Lancaster’s fiancée?"
"I’m his wife; we’ve registered." Serena Yeats whispered.
Nathan Sawyer heard and immediately said, "My Serena and Elias Lancaster are married."
Serena Yeats, "....."
The more they explained, the worse it became.
A voice from the crowd shouted, "So did you win first place through your own capability or through The Lancaster Family’s wealth and power?"