Chapter 410

Evelyn chuckled. "What? You don't even recognize your own portfolio, Ms. Blackwood?"

Juliette's eyes widened in shock. "This...this is mine?"

Evelyn gave a casual shrug. "Indeed! I took a little trip back to our alma mater, Coronia University." She tapped the leather-bound book with her manicured nails. "Care to revisit your past creations?"

"You went to Coronia?"

Evelyn's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Mmm-hmm. Went digging for evidence to clear my name. Instead..." Her gaze sharpened. "I struck gold."

Juliette's fingers twitched. "What exactly did you find?"

With deliberate slowness, Evelyn flipped open the portfolio. "Everything's right here. Shall we take a trip down memory lane?"

Juliette's breath hitched, her poker face slipping for just a second before she schooled her features.

In one swift motion, she snatched the book from Evelyn's hands.

Page after page of exquisite designs unfolded before her. The real Juliette had possessed undeniable talent - each stroke of the pencil, every signature "Juliette Blackwood" scrawled in the corner screamed authenticity.

Juliette knew with cold certainty these weren't her creations. Yet she slammed the book shut without hesitation.

"Impressive detective work, Evelyn. My college sketches? Really?" She forced a laugh. "But plagiarism is plagiarism. What exactly do you hope to prove with these?"

Evelyn tilted her head, studying Juliette like a specimen under glass.

"Fascinating response. Tell me, Ms. Blackwood..." She leaned in. "How does one designer develop two completely distinct artistic styles overnight? Care to enlighten me?"

Juliette's grip turned white-knuckled. "I have no idea what you're implying."

Evelyn had anticipated this denial.

"Really?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "You didn't examine your own work closely enough. Though I must admit..." She circled Juliette like a shark. "You've done an excellent job mimicking the real Juliette."

She continued, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "The plastic surgery was masterful - you're practically her twin. But you forgot one crucial detail." A razor-sharp smile. "Artistic style is like a fingerprint. And blood types don't change, do they? You might want to revisit your old university records."

Juliette's mask cracked, panic flashing in her eyes.

Evelyn pressed her advantage, voice silky smooth.

"But wait..." In a lightning move, she grabbed Juliette's wrist, yanking up the sleeve to reveal flawless skin. "There's this."

Her laugh was ice-cold. "The real Juliette suffered third-degree burns in that accident five years ago. Scars don't just...disappear."

Juliette jerked back, but Evelyn's grip was iron. "You're insane!"

"Oh, I'll spell it out for you." Evelyn's voice turned deadly serious. "You're not Juliette Blackwood. The real Juliette died in that crash. You're nothing but a cheap imitation."