Chapter 78: He Clears Estelle Lockwood of Plagiarism

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: He Clears Estelle Lockwood of Plagiarism

Estelle Lockwood went to Star, exported the perfume formulation data, and contacted their legal department to prepare for a lawsuit.

Just then, she received a phone call.

The woman on the other end spoke with an overbearing tone. "You’re Yara, right?"

Estelle recognized the voice instantly. It was Rose Lowell.

Back when she had first returned to the Lockwood family, this very woman had stood on the stairs, chin raised high, asking in the same dismissive, arrogant, and contemptuous tone, "You’re Estelle Lockwood, right?"

It was exactly the same.

Estelle sneered. "What can I do for you, Ms. Lowell?"

Rose got straight to the point. "I’m sure you’ve seen the public opinion online. I’m not the type to push someone into a dead end. As long as you admit you plagiarized Noelle, I can still leave you a way out!"

Estelle lowered her eyes, tapped the record button, and kept her voice calm and steady. "Ms. Lowell, you know very well who actually committed plagiarism."

Rose scoffed and raised her voice. "Ha, are you trying to say Noelle plagiarized you?

"What is our Noelle’s status, and what is yours? As the dignified heiress of the Lockwood Group and a major celebrity, would she ever need to steal your work?

"You, on the other hand, talk a big game about being a Chief Perfumer, but in reality, you’re just an orphan with unknown parents! Who knows what you’d do for fame?"

Watching the blinking red dot of the recording, Estelle felt no emotional ripples.

She had heard all these words before. If not to gather evidence, she wouldn’t have subjected herself to Rose’s disgusting remarks.

Back then, she had stated that she designed the perfume and that Noelle Lockwood was the thief.

Rose, her own biological mother, had slapped her across the face, screaming insults.

"Who do you think you are! Noelle is our precious jewel. I know her character better than anyone! How could she possibly steal from you?

"You’re just a country bumpkin from the middle of nowhere. Who knows if you even have clean hands!"

Recalling this, Estelle let out a cold laugh.

Perfect. She’d settle all these scores at once!

Rose was still hurling insults on the other end of the line when Estelle suddenly interrupted her. "I have enough material now. Mind yourself, Ms. Lowell."

CLICK. The call disconnected.

Henry Kendrick couldn’t help but swear. "What the hell? She has the nerve to threaten you! Rose Lowell doesn’t know you’re Estelle Lockwood. If she did..."

Estelle scoffed. "If she knew I was her daughter, she’d only threaten me even more arrogantly. Alright, submit this recording as evidence. Plagiarism plus personal attacks—let’s lock her up for seven days."

Henry thought about it. "Getting her thrown in jail would be pretty satisfying... Ugh! But she insulted you! I’m so mad! I’m going to tell my brother!"

KNOCK KNOCK.

Someone knocked on the office door.

The assistant spoke from outside. "President Lockwood, Vice President Kendrick, Evernight International is holding a press conference tomorrow morning. They’ve invited the two of you to attend.

"Mr. Sloan promised to help President Lockwood clear up the plagiarism scandal and also... make Noelle Lockwood apologize publicly."

Estelle raised an eyebrow.

Henry was shocked. "Nathaniel Sloan is helping us clear our names? And making Noelle apologize? Yara, did your ex-husband take the wrong meds, or has he just gone crazy?"

Henry wondered if Nathaniel was actually willing to go through with it. He frowned. Five years ago, that bastard had been so heartless toward Yara!

At the Lockwood family estate.

After the call ended, Rose furiously tossed her phone aside. "That Yara really doesn’t know what’s good for her!"

She secretly seethed. Yara and Estelle looked so similar, yet had completely different personalities. However, that face was the biggest threat to Noelle and had to be eliminated!

"President Lockwood, Madam, Miss!" The butler rushed in. "Mr. Sloan has invited the three of you to Evernight International’s conference hall tomorrow morning at nine. He’s holding a press conference!"

Austin Lockwood hesitated. "Nathaniel is holding a press conference?"

The butler nodded. "Yes, Assistant Luke White said it’s regarding the perfume plagiarism incident. He also told the three of you not to worry."

Rose beamed instantly. "I knew it! Nathaniel plans to protect Noelle and force Yara to publicly admit to plagiarism and apologize! Noelle, Nathaniel is still on your side!"

Austin mulled over Luke’s words and nodded. "That must be it, otherwise he wouldn’t have told us not to worry. It seems that by tomorrow, that Yara will be kicked out of Imperial Crest."

A flash of hatred crossed Noelle’s eyes. Kicking Yara out of Imperial Crest wasn’t enough; she wanted her reputation completely ruined!

At eight thirty the next morning.

The press conference was about to begin.

The topic of the plagiarism scandal had been stirring up a storm lately. Since the ’victim’ was the famous star Noelle Lockwood, the incident had topped the trending searches all day and remained there.

Nathaniel chose an open-air conference hall, welcoming all reporters and media. A sea of cameras and microphones pointed toward the center stage.

The crowd was buzzing with discussions.

"Yara really had it coming. A perfectly good Chief Perfumer, yet she couldn’t keep her hands to herself!"

"Star’s perfumes have been facing boycotts lately. I heard Yara’s two kids are even being ostracized at their kindergarten!"

"Word on the street is that President Sloan will make the plagiarist apologize in public!"

"Oh my god, President Sloan dotes on Noelle Lockwood so much! Forcing Yara to apologize to her in front of everyone... the look on Yara’s face is going to be priceless!"

"Look, Noelle and her family are here!"

Noelle had heard the chatter from the crowd long before she arrived. Her face flushed with a demure blush.

"Nathaniel is really something. Making such a huge fuss over a minor issue. He wants Ms. Yara to publicly apologize to me. How is she ever going to show her face in public after this?"

Rose couldn’t stop smiling. She knew it! The person Nathaniel loved most was still Noelle!

"This is all Nathaniel’s way of showing his devotion to you. Just wait for Yara’s apology today and enjoy everyone’s envious gazes!"

Estelle and Henry arrived as well. Amidst the crowd’s disdainful glares, they took their seats in the front row.

Right next to Noelle and Rose.

Rose looked smug. "Some people actually have the nerve to show up. How shameless! She even has the gall to talk about evidence. See? Nathaniel is standing entirely on Noelle’s side!"

Noelle acted coy. "Mom, don’t rub salt in Ms. Yara’s wounds. She has to apologize to me today; she must be feeling terrible already."

Estelle didn’t even spare them a glance.

Henry, however, let out a sneer. "No matter how thick-skinned Yara is, she can’t beat people who live in their own delusional bubbles."

At exactly nine o’clock, the entire venue fell silent as footsteps echoed through the hall.

Estelle reflexively looked up, meeting Nathaniel’s sharp, profound gaze.

His eyes swept over the crowd before he spoke in an even, flat tone.

"Regarding the plagiarism incident, I have zero tolerance. Evernight International has already filed a lawsuit against the plagiarist and is demanding compensation for all damages."

His words meant that Nathaniel had already determined who the plagiarist was.

On stage, Nathaniel’s voice continued. "Today’s press conference is being held for one specific person. She deserves an apology from the plagiarist."