Free Web NovelChapter 78: Chapter 78: He Clears Estelle Lockwood of Plagiarism
Estelle Lockwood went to Star Group, exported the perfume formula data, and contacted her legal department to prepare a lawsuit.
Just then, she received a phone call.
The woman on the other end of the line spoke in a condescending tone. "Is this Yara Lockwood?"
Estelle Lockwood recognized the voice at once. It was Rose Lowell.
When she had first returned to the Lockwood family, this was the same woman who had stood on the steps, chin held high, and asked her in a disdainful, arrogant, and contemptuous tone, ’You must be Estelle Lockwood?’
It was exactly the same.
Estelle Lockwood sneered. "What can I do for you, Ms. Lowell?" freeweɓnovel.cøm
Rose Lowell cut right to the chase. "You’ve seen the talk online. I’m not one to be completely merciless. As long as you admit you plagiarized Noelle, I can still leave you a way out!"
Estelle Lockwood lowered her gaze, hit the record button, and said in a calm, steady voice, "Ms. Lowell, you know perfectly well who the real plagiarist is."
Rose Lowell scoffed, her voice rising. "Ha! Are you trying to say that Noelle is the plagiarist?"
"Consider our Noelle’s status, and then consider yours. Noelle is the esteemed daughter of the Lockwood Group and a major celebrity. Why would she ever need to plagiarize you?"
"But you, on the other hand... you talk a big game, calling yourself a ’Chief Perfumer,’ but you’re really just an orphan who doesn’t even know who her parents are! Who knows what you’d do for a bit of fame?"
Estelle Lockwood watched the red recording light flash, her heart completely untroubled.
She had heard all of this before. If it weren’t for the recording, she wouldn’t be bothering to listen to Rose Lowell’s vile words.
Back then, she had told them the perfume was her design and that Noelle Lockwood was the real thief.
And Rose Lowell, her own birth mother, had slapped her across the face, screaming insults.
’Who the hell do you think you are! Noelle is our precious treasure, the apple of our eye. I know her character inside and out! How could she possibly steal from you?’
’You, on the other hand, are just a country bumpkin from some backwater town. Who knows if your hands are clean!’
A cold smile touched Estelle Lockwood’s lips as she recalled the memory.
’Perfect. I’ll settle this score once and for all!’
Rose Lowell was still spewing insults when Estelle Lockwood cut her off. "I have enough material now. Behave yourself, Ms. Lowell."
CLICK. The line went dead.
Henry Kendrick couldn’t stop himself from swearing. "What is wrong with that woman? The nerve of her, threatening you! Rose Lowell has no idea you’re Estelle Lockwood. If she knew..."
Estelle Lockwood scoffed. "If she knew I was her daughter, her threats would only become more brazen. Enough of that. Submit this recording as evidence. Plagiarism and defamation... let’s see if she enjoys a seven-day stay in a detention center."
Henry Kendrick considered it. "Making her spend time in a cell would be satisfying... Ugh! But she insulted you! I’m so pissed! I’m telling my brother!"
KNOCK, KNOCK.
A knock came from the office door.
An assistant spoke from outside the door. "President Lockwood, Vice President Kendrick, Evernight International is holding a press conference tomorrow morning. They’ve invited you both to attend."
"Mr. Sloan has promised to help President Lockwood clear up the plagiarism rumors. He will also... have Noelle Lockwood issue a public apology."
Estelle Lockwood raised an eyebrow.
Henry Kendrick was stunned. "Nathaniel Sloan is going to clear our names? And make Noelle Lockwood apologize? Yara, is your ex-husband on drugs, or has he just lost his mind?"
’Nathaniel Sloan... is he really willing to do that?’
Henry Kendrick frowned. Five years ago, that bastard had been so ruthless to Yara!
...
「The Lockwood Estate」
As soon as the call ended, Rose Lowell threw her phone down in a fury. "That Yara Lockwood is so ungrateful!"
She seethed with hatred. ’Yara Lockwood and Estelle Lockwood look so alike, yet their personalities are completely different. Still, that face is Noelle’s biggest threat. It must be eliminated!’
"President Lockwood, Madam, Young Miss!" The butler rushed in. "Mr. Sloan invites the three of you to the conference hall at Evernight International tomorrow at nine in the morning. He’s holding a press conference!"
Austin Lockwood hesitated. "Nathaniel is holding a press conference?"
The butler nodded. "Yes. His assistant, Luke White, said it’s regarding the plagiarism incident. Luke also said that the three of you shouldn’t worry."
Rose Lowell’s face instantly broke into a wide grin. "I know what this is! Nathaniel is going to protect you, Noelle, and make Yara Lockwood publicly admit to plagiarism and apologize to you! See, Noelle? Nathaniel is still on your side!"
Austin Lockwood mulled over Luke’s words and nodded in agreement. "It seems that’s the case. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have told us not to worry. It looks like by this time tomorrow, that Yara Lockwood will be thrown out of Imperial Crest."
A flicker of hatred crossed Noelle Lockwood’s eyes. ’Just getting thrown out of Imperial Crest isn’t enough,’ she thought. ’I want Yara Lockwood’s reputation completely destroyed!’
...
「The next morning at 8:30.」
The press conference was about to begin.
The plagiarism controversy had been stirring up a huge commotion online. Because the supposed victim was the famous celebrity Noelle Lockwood, the story had been the number one trending topic all day, refusing to budge.
Nathaniel Sloan had chosen an open-air conference hall and welcomed all reporters. A sea of cameras with long and short lenses was aimed at the stage in the center.
The crowd below was buzzing with discussion.
"Yara Lockwood is getting what she deserves. She had a great job as a Chief Perfumer, but she just had to be a thief!"
"Star’s perfumes are being boycotted. I even heard that Yara Lockwood’s two kids are getting ostracized at their kindergarten!"
"I heard a rumor that President Sloan is going to make the plagiarist apologize publicly!"
"Oh my god, President Sloan spoils Noelle Lockwood so much! Forcing Yara Lockwood to apologize to her in front of everyone... the look on Yara’s face is going to be priceless!"
"Look, Noelle Lockwood and her family are here!"
Noelle Lockwood had already heard the murmurs from the crowd, and a blush colored her cheeks.
"Nathaniel is being so dramatic, making such a huge fuss over a little thing. He’s going to make Miss Yara Lockwood apologize to me in public... How will she be able to show her face anywhere after this!"
Rose Lowell was already beaming, unable to contain her grin. ’I told you so,’ she thought, ’Nathaniel’s favorite is still our Noelle!’
"This is all a sign of Nathaniel’s devotion to you. Just sit back, wait for Yara Lockwood’s apology, and enjoy all the envious stares!"
Estelle Lockwood and Henry Kendrick arrived as well, taking their seats at the front under the contemptuous stares of the crowd.
Seated right next to them were Noelle Lockwood and Rose Lowell.
Rose Lowell gloated, "Some people have a lot of nerve showing their faces here. So shameless! Talking about having evidence... Just look, even Nathaniel is siding with Noelle!"
Noelle Lockwood feigned coyness. "Mom, please don’t rub it in for Yara. She has to apologize to me today, so she must be feeling awful."
Estelle Lockwood didn’t spare them a single glance.
It was Henry Kendrick who retorted with a sneer, "No matter how ’thick-skinned’ Yara might be, she’s got nothing on people who love the sound of their own voices."
At precisely nine o’clock, the entire venue fell silent. A single set of footsteps echoed.
Estelle Lockwood instinctively looked up, her eyes meeting Nathaniel Sloan’s clear, handsome gaze.
His gaze swept across the crowd before he began to speak in a calm, even tone.
"Regarding the matter of plagiarism, I have zero tolerance. Evernight International has already filed a lawsuit against the plagiarist and is demanding full compensation for all damages."
His words made it clear: Nathaniel Sloan had already identified the plagiarist.
Nathaniel Sloan’s voice continued from the stage. "This press conference was organized for one person. She deserves an apology from the plagiarist."
