Chapter 204

Chapter 204

Eleanor's body froze in place, her face turning ugly.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, she had no choice but to turn around. "Victoria, what exactly do you want? Even if you prove this one wasn't stolen, what about the others? Besides, I was just deceived. If you want to blame someone, go find Jade."

Victoria looked at her like she was looking at an idiot. Even if she was desperate, she shouldn't be using this excuse.

"Since you know you wrongly accused me, why won't you apologize? Do you think you can just pretend nothing happened after falsely accusing someone?"

Victoria blocked her way.

Timothy jumped out with a bright smile on his face. He knew he'd bet right!

Sure enough, Victoria was innocent, and these people were the frauds!

Timothy stepped forward to help block those two people. "Ms. Hartley, we all saw what happened. You almost framed Ms. Spencer just now. You think you can just admit you were wrong and leave?"

Victoria found his eager-to-please manner rather amusing.

She did need someone like this by her side.

Eleanor's eyes darkened.

Timothy had been circling around her just moments ago, and now he'd switched to Victoria's side.

But she couldn't lose her temper right now. She kept her composure. "What happened just now had its reasons. You can't blame it all on me."

She looked at Victoria, her eyes filled with humiliation and embarrassment.

"I won't apologize to you."

Victoria's voice rang out leisurely, "Don't worry, even if you did, I wouldn't accept it. After all, if apologies worked, what would we need the police for? I'm calling the police right now to arrest both of you..."

She pointed at the two of them. "One slandering, one giving false testimony. Looks like you won't be getting out without 8 years in prison."

Jade finally came to her senses. She quickly crawled to Victoria's feet and started banging her head on the ground.

"Ms. Spencer, I was misled by her just now. I've always been your assistant! Please don't call the police!"

Victoria didn't even glance at her. If Jade had shown even a moment's hesitation or told the truth when she questioned her earlier...

She wouldn't be treating her like this.

Everything now was her own doing.

Eleanor, having been so embarrassed at today's ceremony, stood there frozen.

She shouldn't have believed those people's nonsense and come to accuse Victoria of plagiarism!

Eleanor's eyes were venomous, but she had no choice but to submit to Victoria.

"What exactly do you want?"

"Nothing much, I just didn't hear your apology clearly. I'd like to hear it again."

Victoria's lips curved in a wicked smile.

Eleanor opened her mouth. The sense of humiliation wrapped around her heart. She wanted to apologize, but her pride wouldn't allow it.

Her eyes reddened as she pressed her lips tightly together. "Victoria, do you really have to do this?"

"What else? Do you think I'm some kind of saint?"

Victoria walked up beside her, her voice very low, but each word was like a bone-cutting blade stabbing at her. "Admit your mistake to everyone in the world. Tell them how you targeted me, and that farce just now - tell them the whole truth, every detail. Otherwise, I really will call the police."

Victoria waved her phone in her hand, as if she might actually call the police the next moment.

Eleanor bit her lip until it bled, but still refused to give in.

"I..."

The situation reached a stalemate.

Jade stood to the side crying and shouting, "Give me another chance, it really wasn't me, Ms. Spencer, please, I didn't know... I was just blinded by money for a moment."

Victoria spoke coolly, letting out a scoff. "You don't know you were wrong - you know you're scared. You're afraid of what you're about to face."

Eleanor's eyes darted around, suddenly turning to Martin in the corner for help. "Martin, you have to help me."

Martin came on stage, still wearing his gentle smile. "Since the truth has come out, Victoria, why don't we just let this go? She didn't mean it. Her grandfather had some connection with me before, I have to step in."

Victoria refused directly. "I don't agree. That's your connection with her, it has nothing to do with me. Today she has only two choices: publicly apologize to me, or go to jail."

Martin hadn't expected Victoria to show him so little respect.

He had originally wanted to play nice, but now he might have to target Victoria.

Martin's smile deepened. "Are you really going to disrespect me like this?"

Timothy was still on stage, goosebumps rising on his arms.

He quickly pulled Victoria aside to persuade her. "Everyone knows you're innocent now, Ms. Spencer. Why not listen to Martin and just let this matter go?"

He knew Martin was in a bad mood right now.

But Victoria wouldn't back down. "What if I don't agree today?"

Martin's smile completely faded, replaced by a helpless expression.

"In that case, I won't be able to keep covering for you, Victoria. When I visited your company the other day, I did quite a few things to help you. If you don't let her go for my sake today, I won't help you hide it anymore."

Victoria's pupils trembled slightly.

She knew very clearly that Martin had just met with her briefly and left.

What did he mean by this!

Victoria pressed her lips together without answering, her eyes growing deeper.

"Let's both take a step back. Eleanor was deceived today too. Besides, her talent isn't any less than yours, and you're the same age. It wouldn't hurt to be friends in the future."

Martin was backing down. After all, it wasn't easy to find a friend he got along with so well, and he didn't want to ruin it easily.

"How come I don't know about you going to my company to do things for me?"

Victoria wasn't buying it. She really hadn't expected Martin to have a hand in today's scheme.

This person she had trusted most at the banquet.

Martin's expression was indifferent, and at first glance, he actually looked somewhat sinister.

"What else could it be? Well, I'll just say it in front of everyone today. Your company has serious tax evasion issues, and... selling inferior goods as premium ones. A lot of merchandise that goes out from your company is displayed as high-quality jewelry but sold as industrial glass. Victoria, you forced me to say these things."

The audience immediately erupted.

Countless camera flashes shone on Victoria.

Victoria just looked at him quietly, finally understanding what Brian meant when he got in the ambulance.

Don't trust any of them.

"Martin, do you really have to say this?" Victoria felt some pain, after all, this was a friend she had treated sincerely.

Martin just shook his head. "I gave you a chance too, Victoria. Listen to my advice - we'll help you pay back those taxes, and you just be a good designer. That's better for everyone."