C21 Copying Storm

Seeing his mother-in-law ignore his advice and leave with Zhao Sheng and the others, Du Chen frowned in frustration. "Pull two security guards to tail Zhou Yali. I want to know where they're headed."

In the security team, two eager-to-please individuals quickly volunteered and hurried out of the venue.

Shortly after, the guards returned with a smug report. "Boss, they drove off."

Du Chen, taken aback, questioned, "And where were you?"

"Us? Back at the venue," replied the guard, confused.

"Are you two brain-dead?!" Du Chen fumed, nearly smashing his phone. "I told you to keep an eye on them, to follow them! Did it not occur to you to actually do that?!"

Realization dawned on the guards, but by the time they bolted outside, the car was long gone.

Fuming, Du Chen was about to explode when he noticed another issue unfolding at the venue.

Lin Ying'er was being berated by Han Zhuang. Du Chen quickly instructed the security to activate the walkie-talkie so he could listen in.

Han Zhuang's icy rebuke cut through the air, "I really misjudged you. Did you actually plagiarize someone else's work?"

"I didn't," Lin Ying'er protested, hurt. "I did all of it myself, and you've seen it."

"I saw nothing!" Han Zhuang raged. "All I saw was you and your good-for-nothing husband cozying up at work. I saw you dining with your lover at a fancy restaurant. I saw you hadn't finished the plan the day before the campaign. Let me guess, you plagiarized because you couldn't finish your own work, right? You're done here. Get out, now!"

Desperate and indignant, Lin Ying'er insisted, "I didn't do it. Someone must have stolen my work and passed it off as their own!"

"You always got along with everyone at the company, didn't you? So tell me, who would steal your work?" Han Zhuang mocked, baiting her.

"I..." Lin Ying'er faltered, reluctant to suspect her colleagues, yet suddenly, an idea sparked to life.

Du Chen had been in her office!

It had to be Du Chen. After her mother had pushed him, causing an injury, and she herself had been on the receiving end of a confession from another man, this spineless guy wouldn't dare confront anyone else. So, he must have stolen her plan and handed it off to a rival company.

Lin Ying'er, seething with anger, assured Han Zhuang, "I will certainly provide you with a flawless explanation for this incident!"

With that, Lin Ying'er stepped aside to call Du Chen.

Meanwhile, Han Zhuang returned to his seat, wrapped his arm around his sweetheart, and boasted, "Relax, I've deflected all the blame. Just sit back and enjoy the show as Lin Ying'er and that fool Du Chen tear each other apart! Hahahaha!"

At that moment, Du Chen was examining the detailed files of the plan, noting that two versions were 80% identical.

Just then, Lin Ying'er's call came through. Du Chen answered with a grave tone, "Ying'er, it looks like your plan might have been plagiarized."

"Ha, so you're confessing? You stole my plan and passed it off to someone else to copy, didn't you?" Lin Ying'er asked through clenched teeth.

"What? That's absurd!" Du Chen retorted, his brow furrowed.

But Lin Ying'er lashed out furiously, "Cut the act! I know you resent my mother and me, but could you at least act like a man? I could even understand if you demanded an apology from me, but to stoop to such despicable actions? That just makes me lose all respect for you!"

The call ended abruptly.

Du Chen was left feeling irate. He had put in so much effort to help Lin Ying'er analyze the problem, only to be rebuked?

Yet, every time he closed his eyes, he saw his mother's contented smile in her final moments and the endearing image of Lin Ying'er kneeling by the bed, sweetly calling out 'Mom.'

Swallowing his frustration, Du Chen let out a sigh and turned his attention back to the documents before him.

It was clear that Lin Ying'er's version was more succinct and aligned perfectly with the jewelry exhibition's criteria.

The other, while similar in content, was disjointed, with a mismatched beginning and end, clearly a haphazard blend of two different styles.

It was evident that the plagiarist had given up halfway, realizing there was nothing left to copy.

The reason was simple: Lin Ying'er had been too busy and only managed to complete the final part of her proposal overnight. This left no opportunity for the competition to plagiarize her work.

Du Chen had his suspicions about the leak. Could Han Zhuang's late-night presence at the office really be just a coincidence?

Setting aside the proposal, Du Chen donned his VR glasses to continue monitoring the live situation.

He had faith in Lin Ying'er's abilities. Even with two similar proposals on the table, he was confident that Xuan Jizi would choose Lin Ying'er's, adhering to the principle of selecting the superior option.

Suddenly, Xuan Jizi's voice emanated from the VR glasses, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that our chosen collaborator this time is Ivy Model Company!"

Applause filled the room as onlookers cast admiring and envious glances toward Ivy Model Company.

The atmosphere around Lin Ying'er, however, was far from welcoming, with some casting scornful looks her way.

Mu Qingci, the planning director from Ivy, approached Lin Ying'er with a smug expression and arms crossed. "Even if you did copy us, you still ended up losing, didn't you?"

"If you hadn't bribed that despicable Du Chen, you never would have stood a chance against me!" Lin Ying'er retorted through clenched teeth.

"Du Chen? Sorry, I don't know him. I've heard about your poor character; please, don't shift the blame onto others," Mu Qingci replied with disdain before walking away.

Others joined in, pointing and sneering at Lin Ying'er.

Her resentment towards Du Chen deepened.

Meanwhile, Du Chen, seated at his desk, wore a dark scowl. He dialed Xuan Jizi and demanded, "Why did you choose Ivy Model Company? Their performance doesn't hold a candle to Viza Company!"

Xuan Jizi sounded surprised, "Aren't you aware that Ivy is owned by the Mu family, the wealthiest in Boross City? Wasn't there an understanding between you two?"

"Absolutely not, and I have no interest in engaging in deception!" Du Chen snapped back, "It seems to me you've become senile. Are you sure you can still uphold the title of master sculptor? Perhaps it's time for a change."

Sweating profusely, Xuan Jizi hurriedly responded, "No, no, no, I'll correct the announcement immediately. Please, don't be upset!"

Du Chen let out a cold snort and ended the call.

Xuan Jizi watched as the crowd rose to their feet, lavishing praise on the Fame Model Company. He realized how awkward it would be to change the decision now, but with no other choice, he stepped forward, his face thick with embarrassment, and said through clenched teeth, "My apologies to everyone, there was a mistake with the previously announced list. After further discussion, we've determined the company we truly wish to partner with is the Viza Model Company."

The people who had been congratulating Fame were momentarily dumbfounded, then a wave of murmurs swept through the room. Was there really a last-minute switch in the results? Did Viza have some formidable backing?

Lin Ying'er was taken aback as well, but she quickly regained her composure and a look of excitement washed over her. She believed that Fame had copied her work and that this turn of events was only just.

The surrounding crowd, however, saw things differently and whispers began to circulate. Rumors spread that Lin Ying'er had been courted by the boss of Golden Age Entertainment at a restaurant, suggesting she must have called in a favor to have the results forcibly changed. How disgraceful!

"She's a married woman and yet she's chasing after a wealthy man—absolutely low!"

"Indeed, but I've heard her husband is merely a live-in son-in-law; no wonder she doesn't respect him."

"Still, this is no way to treat someone. Changing partners at the last minute? Clinging to the powerful does have its benefits. Poor Fame, they've really drawn the short straw this time."

Lin Ying'er's cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger as she overheard the comments, internally cursing Du Chen for her predicament.

The representatives from Fame were understandably even more upset, none more so than the father of Mu Qingci, the wealthiest man in Boross.