Chapter 25: 16.6%

My Instagram post became a viral internet phenomenon. However, the reporters at the press conference were engrossed in the immediate situation and hadn't checked their phones, remaining oblivious to the online developments.

As soon as they heard my statement, they instinctively checked their feeds. A momentary silence fell.

Then came the shocking revelation:

BREAKING NEWS: POPULAR DESIGNER BELLA LOPEZ HAS BEEN PLAGIARIZING SOPHIA LOPEZ’S DESIGNS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. IMAGES AND EVIDENCE INCLUDED.

The reporters gasped at the headlines before reading the full post.

Timeline (Mediopolis Time):

• May 2nd:
  • 10:00 AM: Entertainment News reported Hugo Roberts and an unidentified woman holding hands entering the Civil Affairs Bureau (photo attached).
  • 10:05 AM: Audio recording of a phone call between Hugo Roberts and Sophia Lopez, where Hugo asks Sophia to give Bella the latest design draft (mp3 attached).
  • 11:30 AM: Hugo Roberts and Bella Lopez leave the Civil Affairs Bureau. Bella is holding two marriage certificates (photo attached).
  • 11:31 AM: Audio recording of another phone call between Hugo Roberts and Sophia Lopez; Hugo claims he was merely accompanying a friend (mp3 attached).
  • 3:00 PM: Press conference. Sophia Lopez admits to a close relationship with Hugo, believes his denials, and announces their engagement.
  • 3:30 PM: Sophia Lopez gives Hugo Roberts a design draft (video attached).

Chapter 26: Unspoken Farewell at 30,000 Feet (16.8%)

• May 3rd:

  • 4:00 PM: Audio recording of Hugo Roberts admitting Sophia gave Bella all her design drafts from the past two years, and requesting another draft (mp3 attached).
  • 6:00 PM: Video showing Bella and Hugo's legs entangled under the dinner table (mp4 attached).
  • 6:30 PM: Video of someone stealing Sophia Lopez's design draft (mp4 attached).
  • 7:00 PM: Sophia Lopez submits her design for the Starlight Jewelry Competition (screenshot attached).
  • 7:30 PM: Bella submits the same design to the Century Jewelry Competition (screenshot attached).

• May 4th:

  • 8:00 AM: Preliminary design reviews begin for both competitions.
  • 8:30 AM: Plagiarism rumors surface.
  • 9:00 AM: Bella Lopez sues Sophia Lopez for plagiarism.
  • 9:10 AM: Audio recording of a phone call where Hugo threatens Sophia to publicly admit to plagiarizing Bella (mp3 attached).
  • 10:00 AM: Press conference begins.

Who Plagiarized Whom?

From emotional betrayal to repeated exploitation and plagiarism, I couldn't stand it anymore! A link under my post displayed all my award-winning designs from the past two years in their original drafts. This overwhelming evidence exposed Hugo and Bella, leading to them being labeled online with various derogatory terms.

Online comments included:

• "This is the most comprehensive evidence and the most painful slap in the face I've ever seen!"
• "That scumbag and that bitch deserve no good! My heart aches for Sophia, constantly deceived by Hugo for five years and giving away her hard work for Bella's benefit!"
• "I feel so sorry for her. She was tricked in both love and work, and she's incredibly talented."
• "Did anyone see that dinner video? Speechless. A whole different world under the surface!"
• "Yeah, poor Sophia probably didn't expect their romantic rendezvous under the table!"

With this solid evidence, public opinion completely shifted. People overwhelmingly sided with me, condemning Hugo and Bella.

"The person who said they'd eat ten pounds of shit can fulfill their promise now!" someone exclaimed.

Everyone laughed.

Hugo, furious and disbelieving, glared at me. Surrounded by reporters, he struggled to maintain composure, gritting his teeth. "Did you do this on purpose?" he hissed.