Chapter 158

Onyx hadn't anticipated that his sketching request was a meticulously orchestrated trap designed to expose him. His face turned ghostly pale. The crowd quickly caught on, their murmurs escalating into a chaotic uproar.

"Look! That sketch the young man is holding is identical to the one Onyx just created!"

"No one's seen it before; only the original artist could know those details."

"It's obvious whose skill is true to the original. Compared to that, Onyx's work is pathetic."

"Who would have thought? The globally renowned Onyx, plagiarizing someone else's work to build his fame! It's disgusting! How does he even have the nerve to stand here? Moments ago, he was bragging about being slandered!" The accusations flew fast and furious.

"So, the young man's mentor is the real creator of the comic?" Reporters, quick to connect the dots, turned their cameras to Colton.

"Mr. Stevens," a reporter began, "were you aware of this? Didn't you, as CEO of Stevens Group, personally vouch for him? And Mrs. Stevens publicly stated that Onyx isn't great at drawing in front of large crowds. Were you all conspiring together? Why did Stevens Group endorse someone like him? If you were misled, does that mean you lack basic judgment as CEO? Are you confident your company's products aren't involved in any infringements?"

Colton hadn't anticipated the blowback. Desperate to distance himself, he attempted to disown the disaster.

"Our company was misled as well. Effective immediately, we're terminating our contract with Onyx."

But his earlier, resolute endorsement had already tied Stevens Group to Onyx. His backpedaling came across as cowardly. No one believed him, and the crowd sensed his weakness. He had dug his own grave.

Colton's expression darkened; his voice was cold as ice. "Suggesting we colluded with Onyx is completely baseless. Spread these lies any further, and you'll be hearing from our lawyers."

Melany, equally humiliated, glared at Onyx with burning hatred. She wished he would disappear. But what enraged her most was the bitter realization that Allison was the true author of the comic.

Allison, watching from afar, allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. Within two hours, this scandal would dominate the city's headlines. She turned and walked away, indifferent to the chaos she'd sparked. As she left, she texted Garry: "A publisher will be in touch about your work. Thanks for your trust and courage. If you ever need guidance, feel free to reach out." Garry had talent, but more importantly, he had integrity. She was willing to help him.

In the underground parking lot, Allison was about to unlock her car when she heard soft sobbing. She turned to see Melany, her makeup streaked with tears. Melany's eyes locked onto Allison's, and she immediately began speaking, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"How can you be so heartless? Onyx just made a mistake. He isn't a bad person. Even if he plagiarized, we could have handled this quietly. How could you let it become public? Are you trying to ruin the Stevens Group? You know the negative publicity could be the end of us. Why didn't you reach out to solve this privately?"

Allison clicked her tongue, glancing at Melany with clear disdain. "Did someone die in your family? Is that why you're crying so hard here?" Lately, Allison's words had become sharper, a result, she supposed, of spending too much time around Kellan. She didn't hesitate to throw verbal barbs, especially at Melany and Colton.

"Allison, how can you talk to me like this?" Melany's sobs stopped abruptly, her expression darkening. Just as she was about to lash out, she saw Colton rushing over. Her voice softened, turning weak and pitiful. "Even if you despise me, there's no reason to curse my mother-in-law. Lindy treated you like her own daughter. You could have handled this privately. You didn't have to disgrace us in front of the reporters."

Colton's face hardened. "Allison, how dare you curse my mother? I haven't even confronted you about failing to save her last time when she was in danger. Now you're provoking me again?" He stood there, astonished by how cold Allison had become. He never thought she could be so ruthless.

"Exactly," Melany chimed in. "Even if Onyx was wrong, you could have come to us first. But no, you embarrassed Colton in front of all those reporters. This could tank the Stevens Group's stock price!"

Allison's gaze remained unflinching. "And how exactly is that my problem?"