Chapter 607 Would You Associate With Someone Like Me?
When she was done talking, she walked away with the tray.
The ones left behind did not understand what was happening, and could only exchange looks of uncertainty with one another.
Only Elise was in deep thoughts over what she had heard, as though she had an inkling of what was to come after putting the pieces of information together.
Just as expected, when they came back to the venue of the competition, the host was in the middle of announcing the people that made it into the finals. Alexis was among the names mentioned.
In an instant, the people around the venue started harboring complicated thoughts toward Elise’s group.
Plagiarism was never tolerated regardless of the industry. Yet, Alexis was not punished for it and was even selected as one of the finalists of the competition.
They had already determined how rigged the competition was and had no intention of changing their opinions on the matter.
The prior incident was still on the consciences of Tom and the others, which was why they opted to stay a low profile and out of the people’s attention.
Though they had done nothing to feel guilty about, they had failed to consider the actions appropriate to the circumstances. Even if what they did was right, they should not have done it in an imposing manner, especially not in a place where many eyes were on them. After all, what they did would incite an outcry from the public, which would lead things into a giant ball of mess.
Elise had another hand she could have played against the Saunderses but decidedly not to, as everyone would be the loser in the scenario. Alexis would be dragged into all kinds of brutal media manipulation. She would have been disqualified from the competition and this would stain her future as it would negatively affect her brand.
Fortunately, the advancement to the finals for both of the aforementioned participants had saved Elise a great deal of trouble.
It was at this time—with only 10 minutes left until the commencement of the finals—that Kenneth had entered the competition venue. Elise had decided to confront him after giving it a thought.
“You were the one who had arranged the list.” Elise’s tone carried a sense of confidence. “How did you pull that off with the organizers?”
As the corners of his mouth lifted, a smile gradually bloomed on Kenneth’s face. “An unusual circumstance warrants the use of an unorthodox method. The important thing is the results in the end.”
Elise knew of the ‘unorthodox method’ that Kenneth was referring to. It was nothing more than coercion and bribery, but ultimately it was a backdoor method. Those that had criticized Elise for her use of a backdoor method carried truth to them.
However, with how the situation had progressed, Elise did not have the slightest thought that Kenneth broke the rules of the game by doing so.
Rather than saying that it was an out-of-the-box method on his part, it might be better to see him as a pioneer instead.
When all was said and done, not everyone dared to go outside the norms and stand for the justice they believed in.
Elise thought to herself that even she was no exception as the only hand she thought of was something that would have left a poor taste in everyone’s mouth. Even though she was clearly framed, the only action that was left to her was to try dragging the perpetrators down with her.
She did have the means to make the organizer pay extra care to Alexis by forcing a minor issue of the non-compliance to the rules to allow Elise and her group the opportunity to explain to the public.
However, just like the disdain Tom showed for the accusation of plagiarism of the Saunders Corporation’s works, Elise wouldn’t be able to exercise her privileges in a calm manner.
Yet, Kenneth had taken another route and made the impossible possible.
Moreover, it wasn’t arrogance that Elise saw in Kenneth’s eyes, but confidence. He held within him the conviction that the people he defended were innocent and showed no ulterior motives for manipulating the outcome of the competition.
It was the brilliant and untainted kind of confidence.
Elise remembered a saying she had heard once, that there was no absolute right or wrong in this world. There would always be someone who chose to become part of the dark side of society to uphold the justice one firmly believed in.
By and large, Kenneth was one of those people.
She pursed her lips and smiled as a sort of affirmation of his righteous actions.
Kenneth then broke eye contact with her and turned his attention toward the stage, yet his gaze was distant, as though he was looking beyond the stage.
Elise, would you still be willing to associate with someone like me? Someone that can easily disregard the law; someone that holds an evil side to him?
Or would you only favor someone honest like Alexander Griffith?
However, I just couldn’t see you suffering from this injustice, nor would I stand idle while the others are scheming against you. So what if this was an underhanded and backdoor method? No one shall escape my wrath after causing my beloved Elise such grievance!
I was the one that undertook the underhanded methods. If there was such a thing as retribution, then let it be I who has to suffer from it!
Soon, the finals started with the commencement of the runway of the models that were dressed similarly, as though there was a dress code.
Fiona’s design, the ‘Roman Holiday,’ was displayed in section C. The diamond shone brightly and had a dazzling effect on it, its dazzle as soft as silk.
On the other hand, Frostine’s ‘Cinelle’ used the red jade that was previously carved by Elise. It was seeing a ray of the evening sun as the sun gradually set under the red sky.
Just in terms of the materials used in their works alone had made the other contestants feel far inferior to Elise’s group.
Nevertheless, the audience was in an uproar the moment the host had mentioned the word ‘Alexis.’
“Is this a joke? You can get into the finals just by plagiarizing others?”
“She has someone powerful backing her up. There’s nothing you can do even if you’re feeling frustrated from this. Are you satisfied now? They could have just simply crowned someone they desire as the winner, yet they went along with the farce of the competition so people like you will have a good time.”
“The winner? I doubt so! Unless they have even the judges inside their pockets! However, that would be impossible considering who was on the panel of judges this time. I heard one of them has a serious attitude and would never allow a plagiarized work to be crowned as the winner!”
“Oh? To think that someone so stubborn and unwilling to back down still exists in this time and age. Who is the judge?”
Amongst the chattering, the sight of ten well-dressed judges entering the right side of the stage in turns and them sitting at the judges’ table attracted the attention of the audience.
However, Elise was so focused on her phone as she was waiting for her source to come through that she had shown no interest in them.
It was at this moment, Frostine—who was always quiet and reserved—rose from her seat abruptly. With her hands grabbing the hems of her skirt, she gaped at the judges’ table in surprise.
“Are you alright?” Tina asked in concern.
As she continued gaping at the right side of the stage, Frostine pointed at the judges’ table onstage, and finally spoke after she managed to slightly recover from the surprise. “C-Clemence!”
Elise immediately put her phone away as her expression changed the moment she heard Frostine.
Frostine was sure of what she saw, which was why she wanted to leave her position and immediately go onstage regardless of the consequences.
Fortunately, Elise had managed to call for someone to hold Frostine back. “Don’t rush things. What if we are mistaken? Since the person you saw won’t just disappear into thin air onstage, just be patient for now!”
“But… that’s Clemence! It’s Clemence!” Frostine’s breathing turned ragged.
Just as Elise was about to persuade Frostine, the lights of the entire venue turned dark, leaving only a spotlight which was directed at the host that was standing on stage.
It was not appropriate to make a commotion right now considering the atmosphere. Elise could only be forceful with her methods to calm Frostine down. With a whisper, she reminded Frostine not to be rash for now.
After the host’s introduction, the works onstage were subsequently shone in turn by the spotlights.
Perhaps the organizer had wanted to spark the media’s interest in the competition and to take on additional space for the news, for they had deliberately placed both Fiona’s and Frostine’s work near each other.
It became much more evident with the works being able to be compared side-by-side.
The audience immediately went into an uproar.
Naturally, the judges could not just sit idly.
“If I am not mistaken, the work of groups 01 and 02 should be the same, am I right?” The voice came from the woman who was seated at the seating reserved for the head judge.
She had a large visor on her head and looked very much like a noblewoman. However, due to the visor covering her face, only her voice could be heard but no one could see her expression when she had said those words.
Yet, Elise still froze the moment she heard the voice of the noblewoman.
“As expected, nothing escapes the eyes of the judges.” The host smiled as he continued, “Just as shown, these two works were designed by Fiona and Frostine and had attracted attention just before the finals. Due to how well recognized the respective works are, the organizers have made an exception to present the two works onstage for the finals in hopes that the judges can determine which of the two works is the original.”
