Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle' novel Chapter 561

Chapter 561: Accused of Plagiarism

She should have known better than to come today! Paula had only come to the venue to make Selina willingly hand over the twenty billion, to humiliate her in front of everyone.

But who could have predicted that she’d end up being the one humiliated instead? These useless good-for-nothings—Country Y had spent a fortune training these perfumers, yet they couldn’t even beat Selina. Now she had to cough up twenty billion herself. Argh!

No, she couldn’t let Selina see her like this. Such a disgrace could never be exposed!

But it was already too late. Selina arched a brow, glanced toward the audience, and before Ronald could speak, she spoke lazily, her tone full of amusement.

"Oh, how could I forget? Miss Paula is here with us today as well. Camera crew, give Miss Paula a close-up."

The cameramen were from Reid Group and naturally followed Selina’s cue. Instantly, the cameras zoomed in on Paula.

Everyone watching the livestream saw Paula’s iron-blue, seething face.

Selina tilted her head. "Miss Paula, say something—are the twenty billion ready?"

Paula nearly fainted with rage. When had anyone ever laughed at her like this? Selina—always Selina...

But with so many people watching, and the whole world tuned in live, she had no choice. After all, she had proposed the wager herself. If she backed out now...

Grinding her teeth, Paula forced out every word: "Of course—it’s pre...pared!"

Selina curved her lips into a small smile, ignoring her. "Good. Then I’ll be waiting for your twenty billion."

Paula was livid, itching to rush up and strangle Selina on the spot.

Ronald’s face wasn’t looking any better. "Miss Clark, please wait. We’ll begin the award ceremony immediately."

Selina returned to her seat, shooting Logan a discreet look.

Logan arched a brow, lowering his voice. "Weren’t you planning to expose Ronald?"

Selina blinked innocently. "Yes."

Logan’s gaze turned sharp. "And how?"

Selina tilted her head, her smile sly. "I’ve already prepared everything. None of them will escape. And I’ll drag one more person down with them."

Logan paused, narrowing his eyes. "Who?"

Selina’s smile grew mischievous. "Amelia."

...

Meanwhile, Paula stormed into the lounge, smashing everything she could get her hands on. "That bitch!"

How could Selina possibly be champion? Something had to be wrong. It was impossible! Selina had always been a useless good-for-nothing—how could she be champion? With so many professional perfumers competing, how could she have won?

Just then, Paula’s phone rang.

She answered irritably. "Hello..."

Seconds later, her eyes lit up. "Aunt Amelia, really?"

"Good. That’s wonderful!"

Paula’s rage and frustration instantly vanished, replaced by excitement. She dashed back toward the hall.

...

Inside the hall, Ronald was forcing himself to smile as he congratulated Selina, though inside he was boiling with fury.

Selina stood calmly on stage, her gaze cool as it rested on Ronald.

Grinding his teeth, Ronald spoke each word with false politeness: "Congratulations, Miss Clark."

Selina raised a brow. "Who would’ve thought it’d be you presenting my award, Mr. Ronald?"

Ronald nearly choked on his own anger. "Miss Clark, you jest. As Piper’s sole student and Country Y’s chief perfumer, it is only fitting that I present the champion’s trophy."

Selina nodded lightly. "Oh... very well then."

She reached out to take the trophy—when suddenly, Paula’s furious shout rang out from the doorway.

"Wait—I don’t agree! This can’t be! Selina is not the champion!"

In an instant, every head turned toward the entrance.

"No! No!" Paula shouted hysterically. "Even if Aunt Amelia made a mistake, shouldn’t you at least check, Mr. Ronald? Otherwise, I will never accept this! Selina’s championship will always be tainted!"

"This..." Ronald looked troubled, sighing heavily. "Miss Clark, what do you think? Perhaps I should examine your perfume, just to prove your innocence."

Paula sneered, "Selina, do you dare?"

Selina smiled.

Of course, in a moment like this, she couldn’t say no.

Her gaze rested coolly on Ronald, her voice layered with meaning. "And Mr. Ronald, this is for my own good?"

Ronald wore a look of weary helplessness. "Naturally. After what happened with Frank, I know you’ve been upset. This is my way of making amends. Once I prove your innocence, Miss Paula’s protests will be useless. But if you’d rather not, we’ll leave it."

Just then, someone in the crowd muttered under their breath, "If Selina refuses... maybe she really did plagiarize..."

Selina raised a brow. Exactly as she predicted—there was no way she could back down here.

So she said simply, "Go ahead. Check."

Ronald and Paula exchanged a glance, then stepped forward with feigned solemnity. They opened the perfume bottle. At once, a sharp, icy scent of wintersweet blossoms filled the air.

And then Ronald’s eyes suddenly lit up, a flash of excitement breaking through before he quickly covered it with a mask of outrage. He turned back around, face dark and anguished, voice lowered but heavy with accusation.

"Miss Clark, are you seriously claiming you created this perfume on your own?"

The hall erupted into a stunned silence.

What was this?

Why did Ronald look so terrifying?

Could it be...

A chilling thought spread through everyone’s minds:

Could Selina really have plagiarized?