After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 174: Suspected of Plagiarism

Meanwhile, Scarlett Jewel disguised herself completely before heading out again.

She arrived at an inconspicuous coffee shop where she had arranged to meet Joel Jennings.

At a table in the very back, Joel Jennings was already waiting.

The moment Scarlett Jewel arrived, she got straight to the point.

"Where’s the stuff you prepared?"

"Right here." Joel Jennings handed the information he had gathered to Scarlett Jewel.

Scarlett Jewel took the file from Joel and began to look through it carefully.

The more she read, the more excited she became.

"This Claire Mercer’s design style is exactly the same as that famous international designer."

"In the design industry, this is basically plagiarism, right?"

"I was originally planning to frame her, but I never expected she was actually guilty of plagiarism."

Joel Jennings said, "Well, you can’t exactly call it plagiarism just yet."

"Her design style is similar to Instructor CC’s, true."

"But it’s perfectly normal for designers to have overlapping inspiration sometimes."

"Besides, CC has released very few works, and her most internationally acclaimed pieces are two formal gowns."

"If we want to know if Claire Mercer really plagiarized, we’ll have to see the gown she submits for the competition tomorrow."

Scarlett Jewel said, "It doesn’t matter if she plagiarized or not. Her design style is so similar to CC’s."

"Even if she didn’t, we can deliberately steer the narrative to make it look like she did."

"You’ve got a point," Joel Jennings said.

"Even if she didn’t plagiarize and their styles are just similar..."

"...once the controversy starts, it won’t be easy for her to shake the ’plagiarist’ label."

With that, the two schemers exchanged a knowing, sinister smile.

Little did they know, their entire plan was already being monitored in secret.

After returning to the Sinclair Family’s residence, Scarlett Jewel stood before the gown she had designed, full of confidence.

’This gown design is going to be what sets me apart.’

’Although the gown I designed myself might not be that eye-catching...’

’...Claire Mercer’s sketchbook had several gown designs in it.’

Originally, she had intended to destroy the sketchbook completely.

But who would have thought that after just a casual flip-through, she would be stunned by the designs inside.

She had long wanted to use the designs from this sketchbook in the earlier rounds of the competition.

But they were, after all, Claire Mercer’s designs.

She was afraid Claire would discover she had stolen her work.

If Claire reported her to the organizers, she would not only be disqualified but also be branded a plagiarist.

But now, she had successfully made it to the finals.

And since she now had a way to deal with Claire Mercer...

...she was no longer afraid of being caught using Claire’s design for the final round.

However, the more Scarlett Jewel looked at it, the more she felt the gown’s style bore a resemblance to CC’s work.

’Hmph, a copycat after all.’

’So Claire Mercer has been copying CC all along.’

’Good thing I made a few modifications to her design.’

’Otherwise, if I used these three gowns in the competition tomorrow, I might have been accused of plagiarizing CC myself.’

But it was also fortunate that this "CC" had completely vanished.

There were even rumors online that she might have died in an accident.

At this thought, another idea sparked in Scarlett Jewel’s mind.

’If this CC is really dead, then couldn’t I... take her place?’

’If I could replace CC, then my future in the design world would be...?’

The more she thought about it, the more thrilled Scarlett Jewel became.

She began to fantasize about the glamorous life of a top designer.

Feeling smug, she started scheming how to convince people that she was CC.

What she didn’t know was that a grand show, one that would rip her mask away, was set to begin the very next day.

「The day of the finals.」

Ever since the competition’s opening ceremony kicked off with a star-studded lineup...

...the event had been receiving widespread attention.

It wasn’t just professional modeling agencies watching the competition.

They were hoping to scout models who had been eliminated but still had some popularity and potential.

Many domestic design firms and major fashion brands were also secretly keeping an eye on the event.

So, by the day of the national finals, the event’s viewership had reached its peak.

The online buzz was measured in the hundreds of millions, making it arguably the hottest event of the moment.

In the venue, the judges for the design category and the model category had all taken their seats.

Audience members with tickets had also arrived early, waiting for the competition to begin.

In the very front row sat Silas Rowan, Adrian Sutton, Roxanne Peyton, and Mrs. Rowan.

Today was the most exciting final round, a competition that would decide the fate of every contestant.

As usual, the host came on stage first to warm up the crowd, running through a long list of competition rules.

"What should I do? I think I’m getting nervous." Mrs. Rowan clutched her chest, her expression grave as she stared at the stage.

Sitting beside her, Adrian Sutton and Silas Rowan seemed completely calm in comparison to her anxiety.

"Mom, you’re not the one competing. What are you so nervous about?" Silas Rowan asked with a laugh.

"Of course I’m nervous for your cousin-in-law," Mrs. Rowan whispered, leaning closer to Silas.

"Today is the most important final round. As her family, it’s only right for me to be a little nervous."

"Not like you, you heartless boy. Your cousin-in-law and sister is competing, and you’re not worried at all."

"Why don’t you say Adrian Sutton is heartless? Look at him, he’s even calmer than I am."

"Exactly! Why aren’t you the least bit nervous for Claire?"

"What’s there to be nervous or worried about?" Adrian Sutton countered with a light laugh. "I know exactly how capable my wife is." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Her design skills have been ahead of all the other contestants from the start."

"If she performs consistently and no other contestant pulls off a miracle, the championship is hers for the taking."

"What if another contestant does pull off a miracle?" Mrs. Rowan shot him an irritated glance. "You can never predict what will happen in a competition!"

Silas Rowan smiled reassuringly. "Mom, just relax. Miraculous performances happen, but they’re extremely rare."

Just then, Adrian Sutton also leaned in and whispered to her, "Auntie, have faith in Claire. And have faith in my judgment."

Just as they were speaking, the final round of the competition officially began.