Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 489

Onstage, Evelina was pinned by police, her panic quickly morphing into wild, seething hatred.

The evidence of her plagiarism was rock solid. There was no way she could talk her way out of this one.

But there was no way she’d let herself lose to Emmy—not like this.

In a split second, Evelina lunged for the microphone and screamed, her words echoing through the hall.

“Emmy is a liar! She’s fooled all of you!”

The entire place went dead silent. Every camera turned to her.

Clinging to her last shred of hope, Evelina shot Emmy a twisted, mocking grin.

“Don’t forget—Emmy only went to some second-rate college!”

“Her family’s loaded. If she wanted to be Dominic’s apprentice that badly, what’s stopping her from just buying someone else’s patent? With that much money, anything is possible!”

A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd. Everyone knew Dominic’s famous promise: whoever won gold at the International AI Competition would become his final apprentice.

Evelina’s voice turned shrill, ringing through the arena.

“Emmy, you’ve tricked every judge and everyone here!”

“Dr. Pepper’s reputation is spotless. He would never take someone as fake as you as his student!”

Before Evelina could finish, a powerful, commanding voice boomed out, cutting right through the noise.

“Who says I wouldn’t take her as my student?”

Every camera swiveled, searching for the source.

On the steps below the stands, an older man in a traditional suit was making his way down, cane in hand and eyes sharp as ever. It was Dominic.

Nico walked beside him, carefully holding a wooden box.

Dominic took the microphone, fixing Evelina with a steely, cold stare.

Nico stepped forward and, with everyone watching, handed Emmy the small wooden box.

She opened it.

Inside, on a bed of velvet, was a single quantum chip, Emmy’s name engraved on it in shining silver.

It was Dominic’s signature—every apprentice got one, a symbol of their bond.

The audience exploded.

“Oh my god, she was Dr. Pepper’s apprentice all along?”

“I knew it! Someone this talented could never be just some random grad!”

“This proves it! Only his real apprentice would get something that special. Evelina must be dying of embarrassment!”

Evelina glared at the giant screen, her jaw clenched in fury, as the officers led her away.