Chapter 418

The live stream on someone's phone was gaining traction at an alarming rate. Viewership skyrocketed to nearly a million in minutes.

"Juliette, care to comment on these allegations?"

"You were the one who plagiarized Ms. Carter's designs from the start, yet you had the audacity to accuse her and file reports. What gave you such confidence? Did you truly believe the truth would never surface? Or were you simply gambling on luck?"

"Juliette, what's your next move? Will you apologize to the fans who once stood by you?"

Juliette Blackwood pressed her hands against her ears, blocking out the reporters' relentless questions.

Her head shook violently as she muttered under her breath, "I didn't steal anything. This is all a setup. A complete fabrication! All of you, back off! Get away from me!"

But the media swarm showed no mercy, shoving microphones and cameras into her personal space until she could barely breathe.

"Juliette, we demand answers."

Her mind went blank. The sensory overload made her skull feel like it might split open. Reality distorted into a nightmarish cacophony.

A primal scream tore from her throat. She clutched her head, wailing in distress. "Leave me alone! Everyone, just disappear!"

Wild, desperate gestures attempted to ward off the journalists, but they stood their ground like stone statues.

Never had Juliette experienced such public humiliation. Waves of shock and fury crashed over her, igniting a destructive impulse to burn the entire world to ashes.

"Evelyn, you won't get away with this," she snarled at the cameras through clenched teeth. Then darkness swallowed her vision as she collapsed.

Olivia Sinclair watched the live feed with immense satisfaction. "Karma's finally catching up to Juliette. She reaped what she sowed."

Beside her, Natalie Reeves scoffed. "That woman has no shame whatsoever. She created this mess with her own hands."

"Thankfully, our boutique's reputation is restored. Clients are returning steadily - we've already secured several custom orders." Olivia's face brightened. "The storm has finally passed."

But Natalie immediately handed over her tablet. "Don't celebrate yet. Juliette isn't as easily defeated as we hoped."

Olivia gasped at the screen's contents. "You've got to be kidding me! That faint was fake? That woman's cunning knows no bounds!"

The footage showed reporters dispersing after Juliette's collapse. No one bothered to check on her. Moments later, when the coast was clear, Juliette sprang up and vanished into the shadows.

"Where's she going? We can't let her escape!" Panic edged Olivia's voice, but Natalie remained composed.

"Relax, I've arranged surveillance. They'll expose every one of her dirty secrets to the public."

Natalie then updated Evelyn. "Evie, are you pleased with how things unfolded?"

Evelyn studied the video Natalie sent. The disheveled wreck on screen bore no resemblance to the usually poised Juliette.

It appeared their adversary had truly been backed into a corner.

Then Evelyn glanced at the hospital wall clock. "Harrison," she asked quietly, "do you think she'll come?"