Chapter 264

Chapter 264

The room erupted in chaos the moment someone shouted plagiarism.

After all, this was a national competition with Nicholas, the dean of Aurora College, serving as head judge. The stakes couldn't be higher.

If word got out, not only would the cheater's reputation be destroyed—the organizers, the Design Association itself, would face serious consequences.

Trevor, who'd been coordinating the competition backstage, came barreling out the instant he heard the accusation.

"Sabrina, you can't just throw around accusations like that."

Watching Trevor panic, Sabrina raised an eyebrow with a dismissive smile. "Mr. Wright, I haven't even said who cheated yet. Why are you freaking out?"

"Unless... you're close with whoever it is?"

Trevor's face went pale.

He got it now. Sabrina was gunning for Charlotte.

Just then, Nicholas strode over. "You're claiming someone plagiarized? Do you have proof?"

Without hesitation, Sabrina pointed straight at Charlotte. "She's the one who plagiarized!"

When Nicholas saw who Sabrina was accusing, disbelief washed over him.

His first night in River City, he'd reviewed all the contestants' previous work. Charlotte's pieces had left a particularly strong impression.

He'd even detected hints of Nova's signature style in her designs.

Throughout the finals, he'd been watching Charlotte closely.

Not only had she exceeded his expectations—she'd blown them away.

He'd already decided: the moment this competition ended, he'd ask Charlotte to become his student.

He was confident she could become the next Nova.

Maybe even surpass her.

And now someone was accusing his top prospect of plagiarism?

Strangely, Nicholas's first reaction wasn't anger at Charlotte for the alleged cheating—it was skepticism and irritation toward her accuser.

His expression hardened as he fixed his gaze on Sabrina. "Evidence. Do you have evidence?"

Sabrina misread his tone, thinking he was outraged by the plagiarism itself. She quickly pulled out her phone and enlarged an image for him to see.

"Mr. Lewis, look! Charlotte's piece from earlier is almost identical to mine."

"I believe she saw my work beforehand and passed it off as her own in the competition."

Nicholas stared at the image, confusion flickering across his face.

The piece in the photo was ninety percent similar to Charlotte's work from the first round!

Had Charlotte actually plagiarized?

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Charlotte had performed brilliantly in the second round as well.

And he'd created that prompt on the spot—there was no way she could have plagiarized it.

What was going on?

Alexander had already rushed onstage.

"Mr. Lewis, I can guarantee Charlotte plagiarized Sabrina's work."

Nicholas turned to him. "Mr. Forbes, what makes you so sure?"

Alexander frowned, his expression righteous. "Sabrina showed me the piece on her phone over a month ago."

"And more importantly—Charlotte used to be my wife."

Nicholas blinked in surprise. "Charlotte was your wife?"

Alexander nodded. "Yes, but we divorced over a month ago."

"Before the divorce, she spent seven full years as a housewife. She never worked, never studied anything related to design."

Nicholas's brow furrowed. "But her performance just now was clearly exceptional."

Alexander pressed on. "She's Lynn's daughter, so she has some natural talent for drawing. But that doesn't prove she didn't plagiarize."

Charlotte finally stepped forward.

Her voice was cold. "Alexander, you're absolutely certain I plagiarized? What if Sabrina plagiarized me?"

Sabrina's eyes widened in disbelief. "Charlotte, you have no evidence. How can you slander me like this?"

Alexander looked equally indignant. "Charlotte, Sabrina graduated from a top university. Why would she need to plagiarize you?"

At that moment, Landon, Philip, Jenna, and others rushed onstage, gathering around Charlotte.

As the situation spiraled further out of control, the organizers announced that the audience would take a thirty-minute break while they investigated and determined the truth.

To prevent further chaos, staff separated Charlotte and Sabrina, leading them backstage one after the other.

The other contestants, eager to watch the drama unfold, tagged along backstage as well.

Nicholas first questioned Sabrina and Alexander, asking if they were certain Charlotte had plagiarized.

Sabrina hesitated for only a moment before firmly stating that Charlotte had plagiarized.

As for Alexander, he cast a complicated look at Charlotte, who was surrounded by Landon and the others. He gritted his teeth. "Yes, I can confirm it."

For Sabrina's sake. For the Forbes Group's sake. He couldn't afford to be soft.

In the crowd, Landon used the cover of bodies around them to briefly, discreetly squeeze Charlotte's hand. "Don't worry. I'll prove your innocence."

Warmth spread through Charlotte's fingertips.

That warmth seemed to travel from her fingers all the way to her heart.

Just then, Alexander turned to Charlotte. "Charlotte, just admit it."

"If you publicly confess right now and return the championship trophy and certificate to the committee, Sabrina and I won't pursue this any further."

A contestant chimed in. "Right, that's perfectly reasonable. Not harsh at all."

Calvin seized the opportunity to pile on. "Charlotte, you should thank Sabrina. If she weren't so kind, returning the trophy would be the least of your problems."

Jenna's temper flared. She pointed at Calvin and snapped, "Calvin, shut your mouth!"

Publicly humiliated, Calvin was about to lash out when Lucas, standing beside Jenna, shot him a fierce glare. He immediately fell silent.

Charlotte patted Jenna's shoulder. "Don't waste your energy on people like him."

She pushed through the crowd and walked straight up to Alexander. "Alexander, what if I drew this piece even earlier than Sabrina did?"