Chapter 139: Shannon Everett’s Reputation is Ruined

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Shannon Everett’s Reputation is Ruined

A young designer gasped, covering her mouth as she whispered to her companions, "Could it be...? Is Sienna Everett actually Kian?"

The speculation was simply too shocking, too unbelievable.

Her companions’ first reaction was disbelief. They swallowed nervously, also lowering their voices.

"No way. Sienna Everett is too young. How could she be the legendary Master Kian? I... I just can’t bring myself to believe it!"

"You’re not the only one. I can’t believe it either! It must be a coincidence, right? Oh, I know! Sienna Everett and Evan Shelby are on good terms. Maybe Evan Shelby lent her the G.Y. dress?"

"That’s a possibility! This Iris Night Tale dress... Evan Shelby must have lent it to Sienna Everett! It’s just a loan!"

...

Swarmed by a clamor of reporters, Sienna Everett didn’t hear their hushed whispers. After handling the press, she and Evan Shelby stepped into the banquet hall.

Seeing Shannon Everett’s outfit for the day, Sienna couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. ’She certainly knows how to pick a dress.’

Evan Shelby recognized it at a single glance. The blue velvet mermaid dress Shannon Everett was wearing was one of Sienna’s old designs!

’It’s a complete waste on Shannon Everett. She’s dragging the whole dress down!’

Evan Shelby couldn’t stand it anymore and shot a look at Sienna.

Sienna’s thick, long lashes were lowered as she glanced at her fingernails. Then she looked up, her red lips curling into a cold smile. "Then go... expose her."

Having gotten her approval, Evan was instantly ecstatic. ’Shannon Everett, oh Shannon Everett, your time is up.’

Not far away, Shannon Everett’s eyes widened in astonishment when she clearly saw Sienna was wearing Iris Night Tale. ’A dress designed by Kian... on Sienna Everett...’

Mason Everett looked equally horrified.

While a million thoughts raced through Shannon’s mind, Evan Shelby appeared before her.

"Mr. Shelby," Shannon said, snapping back to reality and greeting him with an enthusiastic smile.

Evan Shelby’s expression, however, was glacial. His blue eyes narrowed, his voice incomparably sharp. "Shannon Everett, why are you wearing a dress designed by G.Y.’s chief designer, Kian?"

The moment he spoke, it was as if someone had hit the pause button on the vast, bustling hall. One second it was a lively scene, and the next, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone, from the chattering reporters to the guests in the corner discussing Sienna’s Iris Night Tale dress, turned to look at Evan Shelby and Shannon Everett.

’What?’

’The dress Shannon Everett is wearing was designed by Kian?’

’Didn’t she just claim she designed it herself?’

As if in response to the crowd’s confusion, Evan Shelby spoke again, his clear voice ringing out, enunciating every word for the entire hall to hear:

"This blue velvet mermaid dress Shannon Everett is wearing is a design Kian created a year ago. Kian only completed the design draft; it was never produced or put up for sale. So, Shannon Everett, how is it that you’re wearing it?"

The crowd, moments ago confused, now finally understood. They were utterly dumbfounded.

"That blue velvet mermaid dress was designed by Kian? No wonder I thought it looked so much like Master Kian’s style!"

"Let me get this straight. Mr. Shelby just said Kian only finished the design draft and it was never produced for sale, yet Shannon Everett is wearing it now. Does that mean... Shannon Everett stole Kian’s design draft?"

"Holy crap, for real? That can’t be right. Shannon Everett just claimed she designed it herself..."

Hearing Evan Shelby’s accusation, Mason Everett immediately turned to Shannon, his gaze stern. "Shannon, what is Mr. Shelby talking about?"

Mason was clearly protective of Shannon. He would never allow a crime like stealing design drafts to be pinned on her.

Shannon nervously clenched her fists, cold sweat breaking out on her back. She tried to force a calm expression, but her pale face gave her away.

Shannon took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, but her voice still trembled slightly. "Mr. Shelby, I don’t understand what you mean by that. I can tell you unequivocally that I designed this blue velvet mermaid dress myself!"

Evan’s lips curled into a sneer. "Still trying to deny it when you’re cornered."

’Shannon quickly ran through the events in her mind. There was no evidence that could expose her for stealing Sienna’s design draft. No one could prove she’d stolen it.’

With that thought, Shannon’s panic and terror subsided considerably. She spoke up again to refute him:

"Mr. Shelby, I know you are the owner of G.Y., but isn’t it a bit unfair for you to just throw out an accusation like stealing a design draft and pin it on me?"

Shannon’s words sounded like a plea of innocence, but she was implicitly accusing Evan Shelby of using his power and influence to slander her.

The onlookers around them couldn’t help but start murmuring.

"That’s true. It’s a serious accusation. Without proof, it’s hard to be convincing."

"Exactly. An accusation of plagiarism could destroy a designer’s entire career! Even Evan Shelby can’t just pronounce someone guilty on a whim. He should be more careful!"

Mason had been a bit stunned moments ago, but seeing how certain Shannon was, he was now convinced that she had indeed designed the dress herself.

’Mason knew Evan Shelby was Sienna’s friend. It seemed Evan was slandering Shannon about stealing the design just to help Sienna bully her.’

Mason’s face paled with anger. He immediately shot back a cold question, "Evan Shelby, you claim Shannon stole Kian’s design draft. I ask you, can you produce any evidence?"

"If you can’t produce any evidence, then I demand that you publicly apologize to Shannon!"

Evan, however, remained unruffled. He cast an imperceptible glance in Sienna’s direction.

Sienna slowly raised an eyebrow and gave him a nod.

It was a signal for him to let loose. Today was the day Shannon Everett’s reputation would be utterly destroyed.

Seeing Sienna’s composed and utterly unflappable demeanor, Evan instantly felt reassured.

Evan lowered his gaze to adjust his cuffs, then looked up at Mason and Shannon with a cold sneer. "Evidence? For people like you, who won’t admit defeat until you’re staring at your own coffin? Of course I have evidence!"