Chapter 239

Marc's gaze drifted past Chase's shoulder and landed on the gleaming world championship trophy sitting on the nightstand.

The golden trophy shimmered brilliantly under the light, a symbol of the highest honor.

Marc's eyes lingered on it for a moment, revealing genuine relief and joy.

He looked at Victoria and Chase and said sincerely, "I saw the trophy. I really didn't expect that with both Chase and me gone, you guys could still win this world championship. That's amazing! It shows our team members have really grown. They're incredible!"

Marc's tone carried undisguised pride—pride for the entire team.

Then his gaze focused on Victoria, his eyes full of gratitude and admiration as he said earnestly, "Victoria, I really need to thank you for this! If you hadn't stepped up in our time of need and personally led the team in competition, using your absolute strength to guide everyone, our AW team probably wouldn't have won this championship this year. You deserve most of the credit for this honor."

Marc's words came from the heart.

He knew better than anyone how difficult it was to win against such strong opponents like the defending champions, especially when missing two core players and, most critically, missing their shot-caller.

Victoria not only pulled it off but won so decisively. Her skill and leadership were truly impressive.

Facing his thanks, Victoria simply shook her head, her tone calm, "This was the result of the whole team's effort. I just did what I needed to do."

Her gaze swept over Marc's face, which couldn't hide his exhaustion, and Chase beside him, whose arm was in a sling but who was beaming with joy at seeing his friend safe and sound. Something stirred in her heart.

Some bonds perhaps had long surpassed ordinary teammates or friends, forged even stronger through shared life-and-death experiences.

Novaria, Emerald City, the Gonzalez Villa.

As evening fell, the luxurious crystal chandelier lit up the living room like daylight, yet couldn't dispel the oppressive atmosphere and brewing conflict in the air.

Veda clutched her phone tightly, the screen still lit, displaying an official email notification she'd just received from the International Emerging Jewelry Design Competition committee.

Her face was deathly pale, her lips trembling uncontrollably, her carefully made-up eyes filled with disbelief and near-breaking madness.

"No, this can't be! Liam!"

Veda suddenly looked up at Liam, who sat on the opposite sofa with furrowed brows and a serious expression. Her voice was so shrill it nearly pierced eardrums, "What right do they have to disqualify me? What right? My design was clearly my own hard work! This is slander! This is discrimination!"

Liam wore a well-tailored dark gray loungewear set. Compared to Veda's agitation, he appeared much calmer, but his deeply furrowed brow and lips pressed into a thin line showed his displeasure and doubt.

He put down his tablet, which displayed Veda's controversial "Scarlet Dream" design and the committee's carefully worded email.

"Veda, calm down."

Liam's voice carried the authority of the Gonzalez family heir.

He looked at Veda with sharp eyes, "The committee's letter is very clear. They received a report with the person's real name, and they have solid evidence showing that your entry 'Scarlet Dream' is highly similar in core concept and structure to an unpublished early draft by the internationally renowned jewelry designer 'Vico.' This is suspected plagiarism, which is a very serious accusation."

"Vico?"

Veda flinched as if burned by the name, her pupils contracting sharply. A strong sense of guilt and panic instantly surged in her heart, but more than that was a feeling of absurdity.

Vico? That designer who'd risen to fame in the international jewelry design world in recent years, mysterious and elusive, sought after even by royalty and nobility?

How could her sketch possibly be connected to that person? It was clearly a piece of scrap paper she'd picked from the trash in Victoria's room!

The enormous fear and wishful thinking made Veda immediately find an excuse. She forced herself to stay calm, even deliberately raising her voice, trying to cover her guilt with anger, "Are you kidding me! Vico's designs are on such a high level—how could I possibly plagiarize her original work? This is complete nonsense! My design just happened to borrow some of her style elements!"

"Yes! Style borrowing! Isn't it normal for designers to borrow inspiration from each other nowadays? Why are they calling it plagiarism? What evidence do they have to prove that's Vico's discarded draft? Maybe someone's deliberately framing me!"

The more Veda spoke, the more she felt justified, as if she'd truly suffered a great injustice. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Hayden sitting on another single sofa, pleading tearfully, "Dad! Look at this! Aren't they bullying me? I made it to the top five, I was about to bring honor to our country and fame to the Gonzalez family, and they're disqualifying me with this baseless accusation! How can I continue in the design world after this!"

Hayden's expression wasn't great either.

He'd originally hoped Veda could win an international award to bring him honor and boost the Gonzalez Jewelry Company's reputation. He hadn't expected this kind of problem.

Though he didn't know much about the design world, he understood what "plagiarism" meant, and it wouldn't sound good if word got out.

He pondered for a moment, then looked at Liam, "Liam, Veda has a point. Vico is an international master, and Veda's been in the country all this time—where would she have had the chance to access her original work? Could there be a mistake?"

"Or could it really be a misunderstanding caused by similar styles? Can you try contacting the competition organizers to communicate? After all, it wasn't easy for Veda to make the top five. This would be good for the Gonzalez family and the company's reputation."

Listening to Hayden and Veda, Liam was also full of doubts.

Since taking over the Gonzalez Jewelry Company, he'd learned about the industry's top figures. Vico's name was legendary, truly mysterious and holding an exceptional status.

He also felt it was unlikely Veda could have directly plagiarized Vico's original work.

Perhaps it really was just a coincidence in style or excessive borrowing?

Just as Liam was contemplating and about to say something, his phone on the table suddenly rang. The screen lit up, displaying a name he thought would never contact him again in this lifetime—Thalia.

Liam's heart felt like it was suddenly squeezed tight, then released abruptly. An indescribable excitement and surprise instantly washed away his previous frustration.

He almost reflexively grabbed his phone, his fingers even trembling slightly with excitement. He immediately pressed the answer button, his voice carrying a barely noticeable tension and anticipation, "Thalia?"