Chapter 4: Plagiarism Has a Name

"Yes, miss. You can come to the committee office with your identification and relevant evidence."

The competition staff responded to my report promptly.

"I can come right now."

I lowered my eyes, finished speaking, hung up, and headed to the competition committee's office with Jasmine.

...

It was late by the time we finished and returned home.

I'd just walked into the kitchen to prepare dinner when my phone suddenly rang. It was Cole, the housekeeper from home.

"Mrs. Locke, the young master's medicine has been out for several days." Cole's voice came through the receiver, anxious. "That medicine is crucial for his condition. If he goes without it for too long, his illness could relapse."

"What?" I stopped, spatula in hand. "Didn't Ethan arrange for someone to continue brewing the medicine?"

"The master, he..." Cole sighed and told me everything.

It turned out Ethan and Aiden had stayed at the hospital with Bianca all night and only returned home today exhausted. The moment they came in, Cole reported the situation with the medicine.

"Medicine?" Ethan paused while loosening his tie. It took him a while to remember that Aiden used to drink a bowl of herbal medicine every morning.

"If it's that important, then brew it for the young master right away." He was about to head to his room.

But Cole told him the prescription was something I'd worked hard to obtain from a renowned traditional medicine doctor. The brewing process required adding herbs in specific batches. I used to wake up at four every morning to brew it personally. Cole had no idea about the order of ingredients.

"The master was stunned when she heard this," Cole said on the phone. "But then the young master spoke up from the sofa, irritated."

"Mommy just likes doing pointless things." Aiden crossed his arms, thoroughly impatient. "I've been taking that medicine for years and I'm not any better. The medicine Aunt Bianca got her friend to buy for me works way better. I've only taken it a few times and I already feel stronger."

Cole's voice dropped even lower: "After hearing what the young master said, any hesitation on the master's face vanished. He said since the young master didn't want the medicine, to stop what you'd prepared. I tried to argue, but the master's phone rang right then."

Cole paused. "It was Miss Bianca. She was crying on the phone, saying you'd reported her to the competition committee for plagiarism and that they were investigating her. She said something about... your jealousy being too strong, and that she was worried it would cause negative publicity for you and the young master."

My fingers tightened around the phone.

"The master's face changed completely after hearing that," Cole's voice was full of helplessness. "He said he would contact you immediately and demand you withdraw the report and publicly apologize to Miss Bianca. Mrs. Locke... please be careful."

"Thank you for telling me this, Cole." I took a deep breath. "Aiden cannot stop taking that medicine. His condition requires long-term treatment. Stopping abruptly will cause problems. I'll send you the prescription and brewing instructions. Follow them exactly. Make sure Aiden takes it."

"Yes, Mrs. Locke. I'll do exactly as you say."

After hanging up with Cole, I stood in the kitchen and stared out the window for a long time.

Seven years. Everything I'd given that family was "pointless" in Ethan and Aiden's eyes.

I turned around and picked up the spatula again.

Forget it. Cook first. Jasmine was waiting.

...

The next morning, I'd just gotten up and was making breakfast for Jasmine and myself when my phone screen lit up.

Ethan.

Seeing his name made my heart skip a beat. My fingers accidentally touched the hot edge of the pot.

"Ah!"

The sharp pain made me gasp uncontrollably, and that snapped me back to reason.

Biting my lower lip, I ran my fingers under cold water while pressing the answer button.

"Go tell the competition committee that Bianca didn't copy your work. You only reported her because you're jealous of her talent."

"Selene, Bianca is unwell. I expect you to be reasonable."

Ethan's voice came through the phone immediately.

His tone was cold, like the ice of deep winter. Someone who didn't know the situation might think I'd committed some heinous crime.

But I was only trying to defend my rights.

Taking my fingers out of the water, I blew on them.

There was no visible burn, but my hand still hurt. It hurt so much tears were threatening to fall.

"I won't withdraw the report." After a long moment, I heard my own voice, cold and distant. "Didn't Bianca say she didn't plagiarize my design? That I was the copycat? Then let her produce evidence and prove her innocence."

"Selene, how can you be so selfish..."

Ethan probably never expected that meek, obedient me had such a fierce side. He snorted on the other end, habitually ready to reprimand me.

But this time, I wouldn't back down to appease him anymore.

Click.

I hung up before Ethan could finish, and put my fingers back in the cold water.

"Ow, that hurts so much."

I whimpered softly, and the tears pooling in my eyes finally fell.

"Okay, stop crying, Selene. You still have me."

An arm suddenly held mine.

Jasmine gripped my wrist with one hand, and with the other, she patted my head like a wise old grandmother.

"I've printed out all your sketches. Every single one with timestamps."

"Plus, I got videos and design drawings from your previous competitions. That material is enough to prove Bianca's winning piece is identical to your design style."

"Selene, we will make Bianca pay for what she did."

Right. I couldn't cry.

At this difficult moment, I still had friends supporting and encouraging me. What did I have to cry about?

I laughed through my tears and turned around to hug Jasmine tightly.

"Jasmine, thank you!"

"Silly, between us, there's no need for thanks."

Jasmine patted me lightly, wanting to comfort me further, but then her phone vibrated.

She picked it up, glanced at it, and her face changed instantly.

"Bianca is a monster!"