Who Is The Real Boss?

Marilyn's face turned livid at Annabel's words.
"Annabel Hewitt, this is pure slander.If you don't apologize to me right this instant, I'll call the police!"
"Do it," Annabel said calmly, a mocking smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Anyway, you're the plagiarist here.It'd be good to call the police."
One of the reporters immediately pricked up his ears.
"Miss Hewitt, do you have any evidence that proves that Marilyn plagiarized?"
"Can you tell us why you said that Marilyn was a plagiarist?" another reporter chimed in.
Staring at Marilyn, Annabel explained, "I don't know how you were able to copy the idea, but the person who came up with the
idea of gems changing colors under different lights is Leo!"
Leo? A collective gasp sounded in the room.
Leo was a world-renowned, mysterious fashion designer.
No one ever saw Leo's true face or knew their gender.
Was this idea originally Leo's? If this was true, how did Annabel know? "Miss Hewitt, are you saying that this idea came from
Leo? Is that true?" a reporter asked eagerly.
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying." Annabel's tone was confident and calm.
"If you have any questions, ask Anika Mendoza, the director of Leo Studio.She's here today!"
Two days ago, Annabel reached out to Anika as soon as she saw the news regarding Love Jewelry.
Anika immediately booked a flight to Douburgh, and together, the two women hatched a plan to deliver the final blow to Love
Jewelry in today's press conference.
As if on cue, Anika, who was sitting in an inconspicuous corner, slowly stood up.She took off her glasses and smiled at Annabel
knowingly.

"Oh, my God! It's really Anika!" Chaos erupted in the crowd.
It was known to all that Leo Studio was one of the top clothing studios in the world.
Normally, only the members of the royal family could see someone as important as Anika.
But here she was, at Benton Group's press conference.
"Miss Mendoza, is what Miss Hewitt said true?"
The reporters swarmed towards Anika in a frenzy, eager to get the answers from her.
"Miss Mendoza, was it Leo's idea? Did Marilyn plagiarize Leo's concept?"
Being bombarded by the reporters‘ questions, Anika coughed slightly and waved her hand, asking everyone to be quiet.
The crowd quieted down obediently, and she cleared her throat and finally said, "Yes, that's right.It was Leo's idea, and Marilyn
plagiarized it."
"Bullshit!"
Marilyn's expression changed the second Anika spoke against her.
"I came up with the idea first! I even published it two months ago! Do you have any evidence to prove that the idea was originally
Leo's?" Anika sneered coldly.
"I hate to break it to you, Marilyn, but Leo applied for a patent a year ago.It just hasn't been made public yet."
A patent? How could it be possible? Marilyn bit her lip nervously.
"Prove it!"
Anika had expected such a response, so she calmly pulled a document out of her bag.
"Everyone, look here.This is Leo's patent certificate, which has already been verified by the International Patent
Bureau.Originally, Leo intended to use this invention on the buttons of his next clothing line, but the patent's scope also includes
jewelry design."
It turned out that Leo was the original designer.

Marilyn was at a loss for words.
All the color drained from her face, and she wanted to defend herself, but she didn't know how.
"Marilyn, you plagiarized Leo's designs and slandered Benton Group.Our company will sue you shortly," Anika said, narrowing
her eyes at Marilyn.
Feeling the disdainful gazes of the crowd, Marilyn tried her best to keep her cool.
Nonetheless, she couldn't help but glare at Annabel with unmasked hatred.
It was supposed to be a flawless plan.
Benton Group was supposed to be ruined today! But the plan went awry.
And she was losing miserably! Anika...
Wasn't she supposed to be abroad? Why did she show up at Benton Group's press conference today? Why would Anika agree
to Annabel's invitation? Did Annabel know everything beforehand? Did she set a trap for her at the press conference? Just then,
the young reporter hired by Marilyn asked, "Now that we know that Leo is the original designer, does that mean that Annabel and
Benton Group also plagiarized Leo’s work?"
Even if it proved that Marilyn was a plagiarist, it wouldn't be a failure to drag Benton Group into trouble.
Anika smiled.
"No.Benton Group has partnered with us, and our studio authorized Benton Group to take charge of Leo's patent.In a word,
Annabel didn't plagiarize.The real plagiarist is Marilyn!"
As Anika spoke, she unveiled another document.
It was the authorized agreement between Leo Studio and Benton Group.
When Rupert saw the agreement, his expression darkened.
When did Annabel sign this agreement? Why didn't he know about this? Annabel's performance today far exceeded his
expectations.

Not only did she quash Love Jewelry, but she also put Ice and Fire under the limelight.
Still, Rupert was a bit perplexed.
Why did Anika show up? Annabel didn't look surprised.
It seemed that she was expecting Anika to be here.
But how did Annabel know Anika? When did they sign such an agreement? At this moment, Marilyn was surrounded by
reporters.
"Why did you plagiarize Leo's idea? Now that your crime has been exposed, how do you feel?"
Marilyn's expression darkened.
"I'm sorry.I won't be answering any questions today!"
She tried to weave her way past the reporters when a cold voice suddenly boomed.
"Stop!"
Annabel looked up and saw Rupert suddenly walking forward with steady steps.
His cold gaze was trained on Marilyn.
"What do you think you're doing? Did you think you could just leave after slandering Benton Group?"
Marilyn couldn't help but shiver when she met Rupert's sharp eyes.She took a step back and asked falteringly, "What do you
want?"
"Apologize to Annabel!" ‘Rupert said coldly.
"What? Why should I apologize to her?"
Marilyn hissed through gritted teeth.
"Leo's the designer.What does Annabel have to do with it?"
"Because you plagiarized Annabel's design!" Rupert said.