After Prison I Rushed into Marriage with a Comatose Tycoon-Chapter 148: How Is This Plagiarism?

Eliza Sutton glanced at Saul Reynolds, who was enjoying the show, before finally letting her gaze fall on Brenda Preston. "Well, since I still have the chance to see Manager Preston, let me wish you a happy promotion and a bright future."

Yes, Brenda Preston had been promoted.

From Design Department Manager to Design Director. Except, this directorship was for an overseas branch, the kind you don’t come back from for ten years.

This hit a raw nerve. Brenda Preston’s face twisted in fury. "You bitch, gloat while you can. Let’s see if you’re still smiling when they drag you away!"

"We’ll see about that soon enough. Then we’ll know if I can still smile."

At that moment, someone from the PR department gestured for Eliza Sutton to take her seat. Since Brenda Preston was not relevant personnel, she was asked to leave the stage.

The PR manager held the microphone and said, "Everyone, please be quiet. I know you’ve all gathered here today because of the matter concerning The Lockwood Group’s designer plagiarizing Master Innis’s work. We have the person in question with us, and we will now have her explain the situation."

He then handed the microphone to Eliza Sutton. "Designer Sutton, please explain."

Eliza Sutton said, "I did not plagiarize. At most, I merely drew inspiration from one of Innis’s works from four years ago. That does not constitute plagiarism."

As soon as Eliza Sutton said this, Brenda Preston couldn’t help but curse inwardly, ’What an idiot.’

’What else could she be but an idiot?’

’Anyone with a bit of professional knowledge knows that Eliza Sutton’s design copied all the essential elements from Innis’s work four years ago. What’s the difference between her admitting she drew inspiration and admitting she plagiarized?’

Sure enough, a reporter immediately stood up.

"Drew inspiration? Did you ’draw inspiration’ from all the essential elements of her work? Eliza Sutton, you’re refusing to admit it now. How is that any different from just playing dumb?"

"Eliza Sutton, things have already reached this point. Why are you still stubbornly refusing to admit it? Are you counting on your close relationship with President Lockwood to force Innis’s company to drop the lawsuit? To force Master Innis to swallow your plagiarism?"

"Eliza Sutton, have you forgotten? This is Veridia, a country with laws! If Master Innis takes this all the way to court, you’ll be sentenced to at least ten years in prison!"

"Eliza Sutton, I’d like to ask, your plagiarism is public knowledge. How can you be so brazen? Do you really have no regard for the laws of Veridia?"

"Eliza Sutton, I must regretfully inform you that even if you can pressure Innis’s company, it’s useless. Innis’s fans have already organized themselves to report this to the relevant authorities. To curb this kind of dishonest practice, you will definitely be thoroughly investigated, and you will pay the price!"

"That’s right! She must be investigated!"

「In the break room.」

Shane Lockwood was watching the situation unfold on a monitor.

Erik Irvine stood guard by his side.

He was fraught with worry.

Erik Irvine said, "President Lockwood, I just received news from the court. A group of people has indeed submitted materials, demanding severe punishment for the Mistress’s plagiarism. I also received word that Saul Reynolds is very concerned about this matter. He has sent people to the court several times to inquire about the situation."

"Have you contacted Saul Reynolds? What did he say?"

"Saul Reynolds said that while he respects you, President Lockwood, the situation has become so big that it must go through legal channels. Otherwise, people will think Innis’s company is a pushover, which would be very bad for his reputation. So, he’s very sorry. Unless..."

Shane Lockwood looked over and asked, "Unless what?"

"Saul Reynolds said, unless Innis herself speaks up. He also said that although he’s the general manager, he’s really just an employee and ultimately has to follow Innis’s orders."

A cold sneer appeared on Shane Lockwood’s lips, and he sounded annoyed. "Just an employee? That’s just an excuse!" After a pause, he added, "Have you been able to get through to Innis on the phone?"

Erik Irvine shook his head. "Ever since this blew up, we’ve been trying to contact Innis, but her phone has never connected. I also had people look into her whereabouts. But you know how elusive Innis is; her movements are impossible to track. Even for the Golden Summit Award ceremony, she had Saul Reynolds accept the trophy on her behalf."

Shane Lockwood’s expression was cold. "Since we couldn’t find Innis before, then she’d better not show up today either."

Erik Irvine paused for a second, then instantly understood. "President Lockwood, rest assured," he said immediately. "I’ve had the stadium surrounded like an iron fortress today. No unexpected people will be popping up." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

’And we definitely won’t give Innis a chance to suddenly appear and personally sue the Mistress.’

After all, neither Saul Reynolds nor those self-motivated fans were Innis herself.

When it came to suing Eliza Sutton for plagiarism, Innis was still the one with the most legitimate standing.

Shane Lockwood moved his wheelchair. "Come with me to have a word with Saul Reynolds."

「Saul Reynolds was in another break room.」

It wasn’t his turn to go on stage yet.

He was leisurely sipping tea, feeling delighted at the thought that once Eliza Sutton returned to Innis’s company, he could also relax a bit, maybe take a vacation.

Just then, the door to the break room was pushed open.

Saul Reynolds was very surprised. "President Lockwood? What are you doing here?"

Shane Lockwood: "General Manager Reynolds, let’s speak plainly. I hope you’ll be lenient this time."

Saul Reynolds smiled. "President Lockwood, are you trying to pressure me?"

"No, I’m bribing you." The corner of Shane Lockwood’s mouth lifted slightly. "Of course, you can call it pressure if you want. Now you can answer me, do you agree or not?"

Saul Reynolds said, "President Lockwood, since you’ve put it that way, how could I possibly refuse? Otherwise, I’m afraid I might not be able to walk out of this break room."

Shane Lockwood didn’t speak, just a slight curve of his thin lips.

Saul Reynolds: "..."

’Holy cow, I was just saying that offhandedly. I didn’t think Shane Lockwood would actually go for the whole imprisonment thing.’

Saul Reynolds patted his chest and guaranteed, "Rest assured, President Lockwood. Designer Sutton will absolutely not go to jail, and this matter will definitely be resolved."

Shane Lockwood finally smiled, a gentle look on his face. "With General Manager Reynolds’s guarantee, I can rest easy."

「Back at the press conference.」

Eliza Sutton looked at the indignant faces before her, growing impatient.

She might enjoy a bit of commotion, but hearing the same few lines over and over was getting really boring.

Eliza Sutton tapped her fingers on the table and said impatiently, "Alright, that’s enough noise. Isn’t this all about me plagiarizing? I’m telling you now, that’s false. I simply saw a suitable model and decided to recreate a four-year-old work from a new perspective. How is that plagiarism?"

Everyone present was stunned.

What did she mean by ’recreate a four-year-old work from a new perspective’?

How could such a simple sentence suddenly become so hard to understand?

Brenda Preston was the first to sneer. "Eliza Sutton, stop being deliberately mysterious! Don’t you dare tell everyone that you’re trying to say Innis’s work is yours, that you *are* Innis. That’s ridiculous! Who would believe that!"

"I believe her. And I can prove it."

Just then, the main doors were pushed open, and Saul Reynolds walked in.