Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life
Chapter 504

"Mr. Howell!"

The room fell silent as everyone recognized the visitor. It was Howell, the lead designer of the Rose Design Team! Why would he suddenly show up here?

"Mr. Howell," the judges, except for Louie, greeted him politely.

Louie glanced at Howell and then at the audience, quickly deducing that Flora must have called him in. Looks like he wouldn't need to step in after all. He began to enjoy the unfolding drama. Kaylee had no solid evidence to clear her name-how on earth was Howell planning to help her?

Lily, too, was taken aback by Howell's appearance. Her dream was to join the Rose Design Team, but she'd been rejected numerous times for lacking sufficient experience and talent. Seizing the opportunity, she confidently declared, "Yes, this is my original design."

Howell looked at her and asked, "Are you absolutely sure this is your original work?"

"Yes," Lily affirmed with a nod.

"Alright," Howell nodded, his tone remaining icy. Just as Lily thought he believed her and began to relax, Howell continued, "Miss Lily, your design 'Chasing the Light' blatantly infringes on a dress our team designed last May. We will be taking legal action against you."

"What? What?" Lily stammered, echoing the shock that rippled through the room.

Infringement? What infringement?

Howell pulled a photograph from his briefcase and handed it to the judges. The cameraman zoomed in, ensuring the entire audience could see it clearly. It was a photo of a model on the runway, wearing a dress.

The peony pattern on the hem of Lily's dress was strikingly similar to the floral pattern on the sleeves and waist of the dress in the photo. If Lily used these designs without authorization, it constituted both infringement and plagiarism.

Though the national university competition didn't require designs to be 100% original, any inspiration taken had to be with the original creator's consent. Otherwise, it was considered plagiarism.

No one saw this twist coming. Moments ago, Lily was righteously accusing Kaylee of plagiarism, and now she was the one in the hot seat.

"I..." Lily, usually composed, began to panic.

"We've already contacted our legal team, Miss Lily. Any further comments should be directed to our lawyer," Howell said firmly.

"Mr. Howell, I didn't infringe on anything!" Lily exclaimed, her voice tinged with desperation. Being exposed for plagiarizing from the Rose Design Team would ruin her career in this industry. She was both anxious and furious-who would've thought Kaylee would plagiarize and drag her into this mess?

"You claim you didn't infringe, which is rather odd," Howell smirked. "The pattern on your design is nearly identical to one our team created last year, and we never gave you permission. Are you telling me this is just a coincidence?"

"I..." Lily was sweating, her mind scrambling for an explanation.

Howell turned away from her and addressed the judges with a smile, "Judges, our dear Kaylee seems to have caused you some trouble."

Our dear Kaylee?! Apart from Louie, the other judges were taken aback by this term of endearment.

"Mr. Howell, could you clarify your relationship with Kaylee?" one of the judges asked hesitantly.

"Kaylee is a new designer with the Rose Design Team, and I'm currently mentoring her," Howell replied.