On someone else's territory, she could not do anything out of line. Just as the Empress's power was supreme, she could withdraw all the photographers with a single word.
Even if she wanted to present the truth of all things, someone had to listen. Therefore, facing Kruskov's gratitude, Chen Lishu appeared somewhat perfunctory.
Just then, the hotel lobby door was pushed open again, and Lydoviana appeared before everyone in a luxurious gown. "Kruskov, why are you here? Didn't you go to Huaxia to find inspiration?"
Kruskov first bowed respectfully to Lydoviana, then said with a look of guilt, "I have completed this task, so I returned early. I didn't expect to hear such news upon my return.
I am truly sorry that I have trained a wayward disciple for the royal family. She hasn't learned any other skills but plagiarism! To express my apologies, I will hold a press conference on behalf of the entire nation to apologize for the harm Ms. Chen has suffered."
A press conference was to be held to explain this misunderstanding? Victoriana felt that doing so would tarnish the royal family's reputation. Just as she was about to find an excuse to gloss over the matter, Qin Chen, standing beside her, suddenly said, "I think this is appropriate. Everyone is not stupid. The matter has become so big that someone must have noticed something is wrong. Instead of letting others speculate, it's better to state it frankly and apologize. People will still respect us for being honorable!"
With the two most important people by her side saying so, Victoriana could only elegantly curve her lips and agree to the matter through gritted teeth.
Kruskov turned to Alice and said, "You have violated the rules of this circle. I can no longer mentor you. You will have to walk the rest of the path by yourself. From now on, you are no longer my disciple!"
The moment these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned. Alice came from the slums, and if she lost her position as chief designer, her ultimate fate would be just one!
Everyone looked at Alice with pity. Alice's tense emotions finally erupted at this moment. "Teacher! Who is your disciple? Why would you believe a stranger instead of me?
Look at the style of this design draft. It's clearly in the style of our traditional formal wear. I am the royal chief designer, while Chen Lishu is just a businesswoman from the countryside with no learning experience!"
Kruskov looked at Alice with a cold gaze. He originally did not want to make a big fuss, as she was a child he had lived with since childhood. He could have overlooked this matter, but Alice insisted on digging her own grave, so he could only let her continue to make mistakes. "Is that so? All draft designs must be uploaded to the internet for preservation. Then show me the preservation time for your designs and Ms. Chen's!"
Alice eagerly presented her design's preservation time. The drafts had just been completed, and the matter was done without anyone noticing. Chen Lishu would surely not be on guard!
Kruskov glanced at the time, then looked at Chen Lishu, who was not hurried. He pursed his lips and shook his head with some disappointment. "Miss Chen..."
Time? Just as she was worrying about how to get justice, Kruskov's action provided her with a good reason! So she presented the design time of her own draft.
One was October twenty-first, and the other was October fifth. This time difference had proven everything. The most crucial point was that the design was completed on the third day after the competition was announced. It had to be said that Chen Lishu's ideas were indeed novel and bold!
Seeing that the evidence was already laid out before her, and she was not foolish, she immediately realized that this was all Chen Lishu's scheme. "You..."
Chen Lishu put on an innocent look and shrugged. "I didn't intend to scheme against you. We have no enmity, so why would I go against you? Now that the truth is out, if this matter spreads to Huaxia, the hard-won relationship between the two countries might develop a rift at this moment.
I would love to handle this matter perfectly, but my second brother, and even the entire He family, are paying close attention to this matter. I fear they... I wonder if Your Majesty has a better solution? I believe that if one is willing to solve the matter, it will always be resolved!"
Hearing this, how could Lydoviana not understand what the other party was plotting? She had originally planned to use this opportunity to make He Corporation a foreign-invested enterprise, but it seemed this plan could only be delayed.
So she nodded and said, "Alright, then after the banquet, I will invite you to my home. To be honest, I quite like the clothes you designed. If there's an opportunity, I'd like to wear your gown as my wedding dress!"
There were thousands of such bold designs in Chen Lishu's mind, and clothes were designed to be worn. If they could be worn by the Empress, it would be a great advertisement for her brand. Therefore, in response to this request, Chen Lishu generously said, "It is my honor. I will design a new dress then, and have my brother bring it as your gown!"
As long as Lydoviana agreed to meet again, it wouldn't matter even if she failed this time. She could hand over the subsequent opportunities to the He family, and the success rate would be at least double that of her own!
Next was the mealtime. Although Alice was allowed to stay, she couldn't bear to stay in this place, enduring everyone's cold mockery, thinking about what she had done. So she left early!
"Miss Alice, your teacher is too much. How can he speak for outsiders and not for his own student? He should know that you desperately need the position of chief designer, but he still came out to sabotage your plan!"
Alice stopped and held up her hand to interrupt the maid's complaint, "That is my teacher, and you are not allowed to slander him! My teacher has always been uncompromising. This is my fault!
I blame no one, because I know the rules of the design industry better than anyone. I broke this rule, and no one can be blamed. If anyone is to blame, it should be Zhang Wan'er, who used me as a chess piece!"
As Alice spoke of this matter, a coldness flashed in her eyes. Only at this moment did she finally realize that Zhang Wan'er, while claiming to be lenient towards Chen Lishu, was doing things to send her to hell. These actions were merely to deceive her and make herself appear more compassionate!