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 by me alone. 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, I designed this piece at home. I 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 singling me out? 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 drag me down?

I studied design at Quest University and was a top student. How could I 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 became tense 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 come across 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 become her masterpiece, and she never anticipated that Grant would still remember seeing the original sketch.

Martin, you must have seen it when I submitted

while observing Grant

to deal with daily; Sophia

I'll just take it back." Sophia said, grabbing her winning piece and preparing to

caught Chloe's attention. Seeing her

quickly stepped forward, blocking her path. "Why take it back? Since it won fifth place, everyone should learn from it. Let's see

word, Chloe snatched the

the design, her eyes widened. She looked at

mine," Chloe said,

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

Grant's trash can.

pick it up and secretly

was the case, Sophia was not just

talk nonsense. How could my design

asked for evidence. Now

yours, so show your

can't, I'll call

panicked, trying to intimidate

biased. I know Chloe has an engagement with

plagiarism because you're my boss, but why should this

that mean I can't learn

Grant furrowed his brow, his annoyance with Sophia

also felt Sophia

could there be a misunderstanding? Maybe Miss Brown

softly suggested