Unexpected Fiancée
Chapter 96: Plagiarized

Chapter 96: Plagiarized

Jane should have anticipated this outcome. If replaceing Candy were that simple, Patrick would havelocated her years ago. Yet, Candy remained elusive. Jane pondered why Candy was so challenging toreplace. What had happened to her after she fell off that cliff? Whether she was alive or deceased, thereshould be some traces or evidence of her existence. How could she vanish entirely? Jane couldn'tfathom it and had no leads left to pursue. For the time being, she would need to set it aside.

In the following days, Jane delved deep into her work, determined to complete the Ice and Fireshoot. The press conference to officially launch the Ice and Fire collection was only a few days away.Jane believed her design would make Ice and Fire an instant hit, propelling Pansy Group to theforefront of the jewelry industry.

However, just two days before the press conference, disaster struck.

Jane arrived at her workplace early, making final preparations for the upcoming event. Thatmorning, her phone received a news alert that captured her attention.

Love Jewelry was preparing to release a new collection, “Let Yourself Go."

Jane clicked to read the main article, which stated: "Love Jewelry, the leading jewelry brand in thecountry, has partnered with Madeline, a globally renowned jewelry designer, to create anastounding new collection called “Let Yourself Go.’ This collection features pieces that change colorsbased on the lighting they are exposed to, giving women the opportunity to express themselves likenever before. Imagine dazzling people at any party with your color-changing gems.”

Jane quickly skimmed through more details about the upcoming "Let Yourself Go" launch. Thejewelry in the new collection was strikingly similar to her design, with gems that changed coloraccording to the lighting conditions. It was precisely Jane's concept and a major selling point for theIce and Fire collection. Unfortunately, the public was unaware of this feature, as Pansy Group hadkept it a secret until the press conference.

Now, someone had beaten them to the punch.

Evidently, Love Jewelry had stolen her idea. They were a prominent domestic jeweler and widelyrecognized. They had long held a comfortable monopoly in the industry, which was disrupted whenPansy Group entered the scene. Jane believed that if the Ice and Fire launch proceeded as planned,it would propel Pansy Group ahead of Love Jewelry.

This blatant plagiarism wasn't surprising, considering what was at stake, but Jane was taken abackthat even someone as renowned as Marilyn would resort to such tactics. Just then, Patrick called."Come to my office.”

Jane agreed and made her way to his office. After the night when everything became clear betweenher and Patrick, she felt more comfortable in his presence. In his office, Patrick leaned back in hischair, speaking in a deep voice.

"Did you see today's news about Love Jewelry?"

Jane acknowledged, "Yes, I did."

Patrick's brow furrowed. "How did this happen?"

Jane sighed and said, "If I told you that Marilyn plagiarized my design, would you believe me?"Without hesitation, Patrick replied, "Yes." His unwavering trust warmed Jane's heart.

However, he quickly added, "But the current situation poses a problem for Pansy Group.”

Patrick tapped his knuckles on the table, creating an oppressive atmosphere. Jane concurred, "Iknow."

Jane rubbed her temples, "Love Jewelry has introduced this design as their own. When we hold thepress conference in two days, everyone will believe that we were the plagiarizers."

The public would naturally assume that the company who unveiled a new product first was theoriginal creator. Love Jewelry's announcement preempted Pansy Group's, resulting in a damagingassumption of plagiarism. However, Jane had one concern: How did Marilyn obtain her design idea?Was there a spy within Pansy Group?

Sharing the same suspicion, Patrick smiled and suggested, "I'll do my best to replace out how and whyyour design was stolen, but the press conference must be postponed. We can't proceed until wehave solid evidence. If we go forward before that, Pansy Group's reputation will be severelydamaged.”

Jane, however, didn't agree with postponing the press conference. "There's no need to postpone it."Patrick gave her a surprised look, and Jane reassured him, "If you trust me, then don't postpone thepress conference.”

Again, Patrick replied without hesitation, "Then you will be in charge of the press conference.”

Jane accepted the responsibility, "No problem." She left the CEO's office, feeling confident in herplan.

As she left the office, she encountered Sherry, who was approaching with an aggressive demeanor.Sherry immediately accused Jane of plagiarism. Jane calmly asked, “Did you witness this?"

Sherry slammed a newspaper on the table, insisting, "Look, your Ice and Fire is a copy of Marilyn'sdesign.”

Sherry believed that Jane was the one who had committed plagiarism. Jane briefly examined thenewspaper article, which was the same one she had seen on her phone earlier. Even Sherry believedthat she was the plagiarist. Jane

retorted, "I didn't plagiarize.”

Sherry grew louder, challenging Jane's claim. "The evidence is right here. Why are you denying it?Do you understand the trouble you've brought to this company?”

Sherry raised her voice, hoping more people would overhear and spread the gossip. As the head ofthe design department, she had been previously humiliated by Jane, causing her to lose face infront of Patrick. Jane had even bypassed the design department to present the Ice and Fire designdirectly to Bruce, leaving Sherry feeling slighted. Jane was an outsider, and in Sherry's eyes, it wasimpossible for her to be exceptionally capable. In Sherry's mind, Jane was being accused ofplagiarism because she couldn't differentiate between the original and copied designs. With anironic smile, Jane responded, "I don't know if the company is in trouble, but I think you might be introuble.”

Sherry was taken aback, asking, "What kind of trouble am I in?"

"You're the head of the design department, and yet you can't distinguish between an original and acopy. Doesn't that make you feel embarrassed?” Jane retorted, still smiling.