when she left he went crazy (Hope and Christopher)
CHAPTER 73

Chapter 73 Is He Backing Me Up?

This situation developed just like how I expected.

As soon as I left Valence Group, news about the company's deputy director plagiarism spread within the design

industry.

I asked Cecil, and he hadn't taken any action yet. It was Evelyn that spread the news.

Most people easily believed it. After all, she was indeed the one who submitted the design first.

Everyone detested such behavior, cursing me harshly.

They commented: [That plagiarizer doesn't deserve a place in this field; get out of the design industry!]

[Stealing someone else's work, may your whole family perish.]

[Shameless, how dare someone from the same company plagiarize like this?]

Just as I was about to close my phone, MS Group's official blog posted an announcement, roughly stating that both Evelyn and I were invited over tomorrow to settle the plagiarism issue, and fellow colleagues were welcome to attend.

The next day, I woke up early, prepared with some delicate makeup, and stepped out in high heels.

When I arrived, there were already quite a few people gathered at MS Group's entrance, including Cecil waiting for me.

I walked over and greeted him with a smile, "Cecil."

His voice was gentle as he asked, "Are you ready?"

"Yes!"

I smiled, about to walk toward the elevator with him when I heard a commotion at the entrance.

Instinctively, I turned around to see a shiny Bentley parked at the entrance, with Evelyn walking out in a white dress!

It was quite affectionate of Christopher, personally sending Evelyn over.

"Hope?" Cecil saw me lost in thought and called out softly.

I suppressed the complex émotions in my heart, forcing a smile as I replied, "Let's go upstairs."

"Hope."

Evelyn suddenly stopped me in front of everyone, looking confused. "You used to have a talent for designing; why'd you have to plagiarize mine?"

I sneered, "The culprit hasn't been confirmed yet."

Chapter 73 Is He Backing Me Up?

"You've done it, so why not admit it?"

She kindly said, "We don't have to make a big deal out of this. Just apologize to me, and Christopher and I won't pursue it further."

"Evelyn, do you think that in plagiarism cases, the other party would be powerless if you submit the design first?"

She was speechless, "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I mean."

i ignored her and went upstairs with Cecil.

The meeting was held in a large conference room, with many colleagues present. Even if out of curiosity, this was a good opportunity to network with MS Group. For designers aspiring to climb up, very few would miss such opportunities..

I overheard some people discussing before entering.

"Do you see what car Evelyn arrive in? That's one of Mr. Valence's cars!"

"I heard from my friend at Valence Group that she is Mr. Valence's secret wife?

"Probably! In my opinion, she must be the victim. Would someone as dignified as the president's wife resort to plagiarism?"

"Who knows? Moreover, she used to be the director of the design department, her skills must be stronger than the deputy director's!"

Christopher didn't show up, but he indirectly supported Evelyn.

I wasn't sure if it was at Evelyn's request or if he did it voluntarily.

Suddenly, Cecil strode in, exuding a somewhat intimidating aura. He had a cold aura, leaving everyone silent and seemingly wary of him.

Cecil!"

"Cecil, it's an honor to meet you!"

Then, they all started to flatter him."

In the past few years, Cecil and I hadn't interacted much at work. Although I knew he was making waves in the design. industry, it was the first time I witnessed his status within the circle. Unexpectedly, instead of responding immediately, he turned to me and said, "Let me introduce you all. This is my teacher's outstanding student and also my junior, Hope."

I was stunned.

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Chapter 73 Is He Backing Me Up?

Was he backing me up?

I was already grateful that he trusted me to not plagiarize, but I never expected him to openly support me.

As MS Group's president, such an introduction was enough to show his stance. For a moment, the way everyone looked at me changed.

I looked at him gratefully before walking in confidently and saying, "Good morning, everyone. I'm Hope. I'm here today to explain this matter clearly to everyone."

Evelyn followed closely, 'Aren't you here to prove your innocence? Let's get started."

She seemed very relieved.

If I hadn't kept a trick up my sleeve, this matter would have indeed followed her narrative. I wouldn't be able to defend

myself.

I said, "Please listen to this recording first."

I took out my phone and played the conversation I had with Connie yesterday.

Everyone's expressions varied, while Evelyn seemed to have anticipated this as she leisurely said, "What does this prove? Connie is your assistant; who knows if you staged this?" "You have a point."

I nodded in agreement and took out my design draft from my bag. "Take a look at my design draft. You can clearly see the areas that were modified. The version Evelyn submitted was my second-to-last version; not the final one."

Evelyn had some knowledge of design and quickly retorted, "Are you trying to fool us? Plagiarism is copying word for word, so isn't it normal to make changes?"

I stood up, asking with a smile as I pointed out some details on the second version, "So are you secretly in love with me? If not, then why did you leave my name on the design draft?"

"What?!"

Her expression froze, hastily getting up to look at the places I pointed to. She disdainfully said, "Isn't this just a few Issues with how the strokes end..."

"HR.

I stared at her and said softly, "Is your habit of ending strokes based on abbreviating my name?"

This was a habit I developed in college. Before formally submitting a design draft, I'd leave my inconspicuous places..

initials in

Afterward, I'd erase them completely for the final draft before submission.

"Impossible!" She shouted.

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Chapter 73 Is He Backing Me Up?

Her expression changed, and a colleague took the draft away when she tried to take a closer look. As they looked and then glanced at her, their expressions changed. However, no one dared to speak up because of her identity as "Mrs. Valence.

Only one person spoke bluntly, "It's a case of the thief crying 'stop thief. The wife of Valence Group's president actually stooped so low as to plagiarize her own designer and then turn the tables! How disgraceful."

"Shut up!"

Evelyn stood up in anger, shamelessly saying, "Since you know I'm Mrs. Valence, you still want to talk nonsense? Don't you want to stay in Jacquar City anymore?"

With that, she glared at me fiercely and walked away gracefully.

She was practically fleeing.

Other than that, the truth of the matter was now clear

I didn't bother saying anything more. Cecil looked at me and said gently, "Hope, wait outside for me."

"Okay."

I left and after about two minutes, he came out.

He coord, "Want to come to the office and sit for a while?

"No, you're busy, so I'll leave first."

I politely declined.

He had already helped me a lot in this matter, and I didn't want to take up more of his time. Being MS Group's president wasn't an easy job.

While waiting for the elevator, I met a few colleagues who were in the office earlier.

They changed their attitude toward me, "Miss Ruan, we apologize for misunderstanding you."

"Yes, please forgive us and put in a few good words to Cecil."

"By the way, we know how to make it so that Evelyn won't be able to survive in the design industry, so don't worry."

I furrowed my brows in confusion. What did Cecil say to them just now that made them change their minds so quickly?

However, I remained silent and only smiled politely, "Okay."

As I walked out of MS Group's entrance toward the parking lot, Evelyn appeared out of nowhere.

She shouted, "Hope, stop right there!"

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Chapter 73 Is He Backing Me Up?

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"What else do you want?"

I looked at her coldly, my tone equally icy when thinking of the baby I had lost.

Her face twisted in anger as she approached, "Did you do this on purpose? Hope, you deliberately set up the draft like that to catch me plagiarizing and embarrass me, didn't you?"

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