Chapter 499: Send Someone to Estelle Lockwood’s Room

Chapter 499: Chapter 499: Send Someone to Estelle Lockwood’s Room

She was clearly the one who stole her opponent’s work and attempted a bait-and-switch. Yet, after she twisted the truth, it suddenly became a conspiracy against Claire Yeats, painting her as the innocent victim?

"The art of language is truly fascinating," Estelle Lockwood commented.

Nathaniel Sloan chuckled softly.

Liam Sloan was amused by the two of them, his initial irritation fading significantly. "With Claire being so high-profile, has it never crossed her mind that the higher she climbs, the harder she’ll fall?"

"She believes she has the Yeats family backing her," Nathaniel replied slowly. "She wouldn’t think that far ahead."

Estelle nodded. "Exactly. She has the Yeats family."

The Yeats family certainly had the capability to bear the risks.

But... what if it was exposed that Claire had not only plagiarized but also stolen someone else’s identity?

The only reason Claire was so famous and received so much attention was because she was supposedly "Ember," the champion of the previous competition.

What if the public found out that she was never Ember to begin with?

Just then, a trending topic quietly climbed up the rankings.

[Midnight Studio and Aethel Group Sign Collaboration Agreements with Claire Yeats]

As the number one studio in the industry, Midnight Studio was essentially the trendsetter for the entire field. Meanwhile, Aethel Group—a massive conglomerate with interests in various sectors—was a symbol of sheer power.

They simultaneously announced that after the competition concluded, they would launch works designed by Claire Yeats. One would be a collection of the championship-winning pieces by "Ember" from three years ago, and the other would feature Claire’s new designs after she secured a rank in this year’s competition. Both would be released as jewelry sets.

Furthermore, rumor had it that there had been some friction between Aethel Group and Claire in the past. Yet, despite that, Aethel Group still chose to support her!

What did this prove?

[I knew our Claire was innocent!]

[Estelle Lockwood, get out here and apologize!! Our Claire didn’t cheat!!]

[Our Claire won fair and square! Estelle must apologize!]

[Uh... as a bystander, I have to say, this has nothing to do with Estelle, right? It’s a fact that Estelle’s work was stolen, and it’s a fact that her work advanced while she was eliminated. Even if someone set Claire up, Estelle is just an innocent victim caught in the crossfire. You fans are attacking Estelle...? That’s pretty unhinged.]

Unexpectedly, this single comment completely sent Claire’s fans over the edge.

[LMAO! The one who set Claire up IS Estelle!]

[I bet "Cloud Sea Building" was stolen by Estelle too!]

[Maybe it was originally Claire’s work, and Estelle stole it, yet she still has the nerve to blame Claire!]

[Yeah, that has to be it. Our Claire is innocent and kind. How would she know anything about such scheming? It must have been that jinx, Estelle!]

The fans were going crazy, but there were still some rational people. However, their voices were too quiet, quickly buried by the fans’ relentless spam.

Still, some managed to say a few fair words.

[Midnight Studio specifically named Claire for a collaboration, which means they believe in her character.]

[Plus, this is the first time Midnight Studio has publicly expressed admiration for a designer. Claire has so much clout. Just based on this alone, I unconditionally support her.]

[Right! Aethel Group posted on their official account saying they support Miss Ember.]

[Since Claire is Ember, they believe that someone capable of creating such designs wouldn’t resort to scheming and theft.]

At the Yeats family home.

Zion Yeats finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw these comments. But soon, he grew worried again. "Everyone online is now saying that Estelle set Claire up. Isn’t this too unfair to Estelle? After all..."

"Zion! Look at the time we’re in, and you’re still thinking of that little bastard!" Old Mrs. Yeats was full of hostility. "The most important thing right now is Claire! Have you taken care of everything at the design competition?"

Zion opened his mouth, wanting to say that Estelle was Eleanor’s daughter and his niece. However, he remembered that his mother harbored a deep hatred for Eleanor, a hatred that had now extended to Estelle. As her junior, it wasn’t his place to argue with his mother.

And then there was Estelle...

He wondered why Estelle couldn’t just understand. His mother was the elder. No matter what his mother said, all Estelle had to do was admit her mistakes and yield. What was the point of stubbornly arguing over right and wrong?

He decided to forget it and not think too much about it. His mother was right; the most important thing right now was Claire’s design competition. He had already instructed the organizers to provide Claire with the best room and the finest accommodations.

At the competition venue.

All the contestants received their competition topics and found the design studios arranged for them by the organizing committee.

The organizing committee had booked an entire hotel. For the next seven days, all contestants were required to complete their designs in their rooms. The hotel rooms ranged from luxurious to ordinary. Average contestants were assigned to standard double rooms, equipped with nothing more than a small desk.

Claire, on the other hand, moved into the hotel’s most luxurious presidential suite.

The rooms were supposedly distributed by drawing lots. After the draw, a sleazy-looking judge sidled up to Claire with an obsequious smile.

"Miss Claire, your room is on the top floor. Shall I show you up?"

Claire forced down the urge to gag. This judge was Benjamin Carter. Over fifty years old and completely incompetent, he held a sinecure within the organizing committee. However, thanks to a powerful father, a man with zero design talent like him was able to become a judge. During the previous competition, this Benjamin Carter had coerced several designers. Men or women, he didn’t discriminate...

Thinking of this, Claire flashed a sweet smile, feigning innocence as she said, "Ah, it’s Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter, I was hoping to ask you for a favor. I have a friend who says she deeply admires you and wishes you could visit her room for a couple of drinks. Do you happen to have some free time right now? Oh, by the way..."

She added with a subtle hint, "My friend is incredibly pretty."

Benjamin practically drooled, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "Good, good. What room is she in? I’ll head over right now."

"She’s in Room 1008, Mr. Carter," Claire chuckled. "She’s hoping you can give her a surprise."

The urgency in Benjamin’s eyes was almost spilling over. "Great, great! Thank you so much for letting me know, Miss Yeats!"

He knew it. Every year, there were plenty of women like this. He just hadn’t expected someone to deliver themselves to his doorstep at the very start of the competition this time.

He chuckled to himself.

Getting a spare key card for a contestant’s room was impossible for others, but it was a piece of cake for him. This hotel was owned by his father. As the young master of the hotel, what was the big deal about grabbing a spare key card?

With that in mind, Benjamin hurriedly made his way toward the front desk.

As soon as Benjamin left, Claire’s gaze darkened. The innocence and naivety in her eyes vanished completely, replaced by a mocking sneer.

Estelle didn’t actually admire Benjamin, but so what? If Claire said Estelle did, then she did!

Even if Benjamin went and got caught, would he dare rat out the eldest daughter of the Yeats family? Therefore, she felt entirely secure.

Rumors of Estelle seducing a judge during the competition wouldn’t look good for her at all. The Yeats family would despise her even more, and perhaps even Nathaniel Sloan would discard her in disgust.