Chapter 497: Then I’ll Get It Myself

Chapter 497: Chapter 497: Then I’ll Get It Myself

The public uproar intensified.

However, upon refreshing the page, all the mocking and questioning Weibo posts had disappeared, replaced by perfect peace.

Everyone understood. Claire was a Yeats, after all. How could the Yeats Family watch her being gossiped about?

But even if the internet went silent, the seeds of doubt were already planted in everyone’s hearts.

Was Claire, who had to cheat to advance this year, really the champion of the previous competition?

Ember’s work in the previous competition was breathtaking, leaving everyone full of praise. But what about Claire? Listening to her words, she acted as though everyone had to yield to her just because she was the champion; even if there were better works, they weren’t allowed to advance.

Sigh...

On the other side of Veridian Retreat.

Ms. Foster promised Estelle that she would definitely seek justice for her and return "Cloud Sea Building" to its rightful owner, bearing Estelle’s name.

Claire had swept the competition and advanced using this design; naturally, Estelle should as well.

After bidding farewell to Ms. Foster, Liam pursed his lips. "This judge is fair enough, but given the pressure from the Yeats, talk is cheap. How much can she actually do?"

Nathaniel’s voice was icy. "Never mind Evan. Even the Head of the Yeats... actually doesn’t think Claire did anything wrong."

Liam scoffed in disdain. "Exactly. His implication is that it’s perfectly normal for Claire to steal someone else’s work, that it’s an honor for them. When his son stole Estelle’s father’s paintings, the Yeats had the exact same attitude. It really runs in the family."

Nathaniel looked at Estelle, his tone unhurried. "The Yeats Family will likely never give you the justice you deserve."

Estelle looked out the window. "I never expected them to," she said suddenly.

He raised an eyebrow slightly.

Estelle absentmindedly toyed with the teacup in her hand. "From top to bottom, the Yeats seem to firmly believe that Claire is Ember, the champion of the previous competition."

Liam blinked.

Nathaniel clearly understood, letting out a low chuckle. "Do you plan to take back this justice yourself, Estelle?"

"The Yeats doting on Claire is one thing, but more importantly, she can bring them profit," Estelle said meaningfully.

"The Yeats are itching for the whole world to know that Claire is Ember, the grand champion of the XM Design Competition. They are a wealthy, affluent family, so they need additional glory. This is exactly why Evan stole my father’s paintings to establish a foothold in the art world.

"Their own jewelry brand can ride on Ember’s name to skyrocket in popularity once more. By the time the competition ends, if Claire wins the championship again, she’ll be the first designer to win back-to-back titles.

"When the time comes, the Yeats’ investments will reap substantial profits. Tell me, do they care about me, or do they care about Claire?" Estelle asked leisurely.

She could tell that Zion might feel guilty.

But this guilt wasn’t because Claire stole someone else’s work to advance, but because this "someone else" happened to be Estelle.

If it were anyone else, the Yeats wouldn’t have cared at all, and Zion would have taken it for granted.

But even if it was Estelle, so what?

Would Zion punish Claire over this? No. He, and even the rest of the Yeats, would just think Estelle was making a mountain out of a molehill. They were all family; what was the difference between Claire advancing and her advancing?

They would think, "Even if you can win the championship in the end, Claire winning it is exactly the same. We are all from the Yeats Family, and you are sisters. Her success is your success, so you need to be more magnanimous. Didn’t she just steal your work? But it was all for the sake of the Yeats Family..."

Estelle’s smile grew colder. "Since the Yeats value Claire so highly, how could I disappoint their good intentions?"

Liam was bewildered. He wondered why it felt like Estelle was digging a trap for someone again.

Nathaniel chuckled softly. "What do you plan to do?"

Estelle blinked. "I might need the Aethel Group’s help. What do you say, Mr. Lynch?"

"Of course."

Estelle curled her lips, dropping a shocking piece of news. "Midnight Studio... is under my name. It was a gift my grandfather left for me."

At the Yeats’ home.

Old Mrs. Yeats’ eyes were wide with fury. "You let my Claire suffer such a great grievance because of that vile spawn! Zion, what kind of uncle are you?!"

Zion sighed helplessly. "Mom, Ms. Foster, a judge from the design competition, was also there..."

"So what if Claire took Estelle’s design? What exactly is she making such a fuss over?!" Old Mrs. Yeats wailed. "We’re all from the Yeats Family! What’s the difference between Claire advancing and her advancing?! Why is she so petty? She just can’t stand to see my Claire do well!"

Claire hurriedly shook her head, her expression sorrowful. "Grandma, please don’t say that. It’s all my fault. It’s only right for Estelle to be angry."

"She’s angry? What right does she have to be angry?! Your reputation has been ruined by her!" Old Mrs. Yeats’ expression turned vicious. "If you ask me, it’s just a design! Even if you wanted her life, she’d have to give it to you! Making such a big deal out of a mere design—she’s just as ungrateful as Eleanor!"

"What a joke, Grandma!"

Quentin strode in with a frosty expression, his cold gaze sweeping over Claire. "Bribing judges and stealing other people’s work—is that what you call ’so what if she took it’?!"

Old Mrs. Yeats retorted aggressively, "Whose side are you on anyway?! Don’t forget, Claire is the sister who grew up with you!"

Evan chimed in, "Quentin, you’re being too biased!"

Zion had been about to say a few words in Estelle’s defense, but seeing Claire cry grievances the moment his eldest son entered, he immediately frowned. "Quentin, you’re taking this too far. What do you mean ’stealing’? Claire just liked the design. Besides, Estelle is family, so she just didn’t overthink it."

Old Mrs. Yeats snapped sternly, "The Yeats Family is one! Hers is Claire’s! What’s wrong with that?!"

Quentin, however, remained indifferent. "Whether I’m biased or you are, Father, you know perfectly well in your heart.

"You should also know why Aunt Eleanor left the Yeats Family back then. Are you really insisting on bringing up the past at a critical juncture like this?"

"I didn’t..." Zion replied subconsciously.

"If you didn’t, then at least be fair to Estelle."

Quentin frowned. The company affairs recently had left him utterly exhausted.

He didn’t understand what was going on. When his father was young, he had displayed astounding business acumen, managing the entire Yeats Group with perfect order.

But ever since Aunt Eleanor left, his father had become like a useless playboy who only knew how to recite poetry, drink, and enjoy tea, suddenly knowing absolutely nothing about business.

He had even suspected whether it was actually Aunt Eleanor who had been managing the Yeats Group back then, and that his father had always been the... useless fool he was now.