After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 189: Dog Bites Dog

Claire Mercer saw Benny return.

Then she saw him looking at her with that smug, self-assured gaze.

A chill went down her spine.

She knew that for Benny to have reached his current status in the fashion world, he must have connections supporting him from behind the scenes.

He had just stepped out to take a call, yet his expression was completely different upon his return.

’The people backing him must be helping him deal with today’s situation.’

’That puts me in a vulnerable position.’

’Fortunately, Joel Jennings already gave me the file they forged.’

’No matter what they plan to do to me next, as long as I have this file, I still have some leverage.’

With that thought, she opened the file and held it up to the camera.

Then, she declared forcefully, "I did not plagiarize. I did not steal anyone’s work."

"From my very first design to every single garment I’ve submitted in this competition, they are all my own original creations."

"Plagiarism and theft are shameful acts, which is why I have always adhered to the principle of originality." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"And this evidence provided by Joel Jennings, which alleges I plagiarized, was also forged by them to slander me."

As she spoke, Claire Mercer was about to give a detailed comparison of her design and CC’s design.

She also intended to point out that CC’s work had been maliciously altered by them.

But Benny gave her no chance to continue, raising a hand to cut her off.

"You can stop with the desperate arguments. A plagiarist doesn’t deserve to remain on this stage."

"Host, are you not going to remove her from the stage? Do you want the audience to keep watching this farce?"

"What’s your hurry?" Claire Mercer had finally lost her patience with him, her cold eyes fixed on him.

"You conspired with another contestant to frame me for plagiarism, and now you come back from one phone call acting even more arrogant."

"Aren’t you just relying on your background, your connections, and the powerful people backing you?"

"Since you’re so determined to brand me a plagiarist, don’t blame me for calling the police."

"This file in my hand is the evidence you’re using to accuse me of plagiarism."

"At the same time, it’s also the evidence that proves you slandered and libeled me."

"Like I said, I have nothing to lose."

"Besides, Joel Jennings has just admitted that he was instructed by Scarlett Jewel to forge this evidence and frame me."

After speaking, she turned to look at Joel Jennings again.

"Are you sure you want to keep being so stubborn?"

"Once I call the police and this goes to court, Benny might not be able to protect you."

"Even if he has the power to save you, are you sure he’d be willing to burn his connections and favors for you?"

"The evidence is in my hands now. If I call the police, you will definitely go to jail."

"Joel Jennings, this is your last chance."

Joel Jennings looked toward Benny, but Benny shot him a warning and threatening glare.

Now, Joel Jennings was the one in the most awkward position.

If he agreed to Claire Mercer’s demand and admitted to the slander and forgery, he would definitely offend Benny.

And if he offended Benny, he could forget about having a future in the design world.

But if he didn’t agree to Claire Mercer’s demand, she certainly wouldn’t let the matter rest.

He was the one who had publicly accused Claire Mercer of plagiarism and forged the evidence.

If Claire Mercer called the police, given his actions, he would undoubtedly do jail time.

After he got out of prison, not only would his reputation be stained for life, but he could also forget about ever setting foot in the design world again.

Joel Jennings felt like he was walking a tightrope.

There was an abyss on his left and an abyss on his right.

Joel Jennings was caught in a deep dilemma.

Seeing that he still couldn’t make a choice, Claire Mercer didn’t want to waste everyone’s time any longer.

Her patience had its limits. Since this Joel Jennings was so obstinate and couldn’t see what was at stake...

...there was no need for her to keep dragging this out with them.

With that thought, she pulled out her phone and once again typed the number for the police on the screen.

Seeing this, Joel Jennings finally seemed to have made up his mind.

"Wait, I have something to say."

"I’m sorry, everyone. Just as Claire Mercer said, this so-called evidence of her plagiarism is actually fake."

"Claire Mercer was framed by me, and I was acting under instructions."

"And the person who instructed me... was her."

With that, Joel Jennings’s hand pointed toward Scarlett Jewel.

Seeing this, Claire Mercer finally let out a sigh of relief.

’I don’t need to explain anything further. Joel Jennings has already proven my innocence.’

’And Scarlett Jewel, that filthy rat hiding in the shadows, is finally about to get her comeuppance.’

’Now, all I have to do is watch this dog-eat-dog show unfold.’

With that thought, Claire Mercer watched Scarlett Jewel with a calm and leisurely expression.

Scarlett Jewel, on the other hand, was completely stunned, her expression changing drastically.

A flurry of panic appeared in her eyes, but she forced herself to look calm on the surface.

’What is wrong with this Joel Jennings?’

’When did I ever instruct him to frame Claire Mercer for plagiarism?’

’He was clearly the one who came to me, saying we should team up to deal with Claire Mercer.’

’That bastard, how dare he throw me under the bus at a critical moment?’

Scarlett Jewel was absolutely fuming, her eyes wide as she roared at Joel Jennings.

"When did I ever instruct you to frame Claire Mercer? Stop your malicious slander!"

Joel Jennings said, "Mrs. Sterling, it’s a well-known fact that you hold a grudge against Claire Mercer."

"You’re jealous that she’s more talented than you, and you hate her for exposing you as the other woman who schemed her way to the top."

"That’s why you’ve been looking for a chance to frame Claire Mercer ever since the competition started."

"After I lost to Claire Mercer in the first round, you approached me, wanting to use me as your weapon."

"Our call logs, our chat history, and the recording from when you met with me to discuss how to frame Claire Mercer..."

"I have all of this evidence saved on my phone. Do you need me to show it to everyone right now?"

Hearing him twist the facts and slander her like this, Scarlett Jewel was about to explode with rage.

"You..."

Her chest heaved with anger, and her entire face flushed crimson.

"You were clearly the one who came to me seeking to cooperate."

"You were the one who was jealous of Claire Mercer’s talent and held a grudge because she beat you in the first round."

"You’re a dark, petty person who can’t stand to see anyone do better than you."

"That’s why you came to me, wanting to use my connections to deal with Claire Mercer."

"Now that the plan has been exposed and Claire Mercer is pressing the issue, threatening to call the police..."

"...after you couldn’t argue your way out of it, you turn around and bite me, claiming I was the one who instructed you to frame Claire Mercer for plagiarism..."

"Joel Jennings, you’re so shameless! Not a single word that comes out of your mouth is the truth."

"No." Scarlett Jewel glared viciously at Joel Jennings. "You’re not even a man."

As the two of them passed the blame back and forth, the audience erupted in an uproar once again.

The atmosphere at the competition was thick with tension.

Scarlett Jewel and Joel Jennings blamed each other, the tension between them at a breaking point.

They both threw out evidence, each trying to definitively pin the blame on the other as the mastermind.