CHAPTER 561: CHAPTER 561: AN UNEXPECTED TURNAROUND!

The question came straight at them, almost everyone’s curiosity was piqued.

Yan Xinxin stood offstage, watching Lu Chenxue on the stage, her heartbeat slightly out of rhythm.

Xue, how could this be...

"Xue, you don’t have to be afraid. Just speak the truth, and we will get justice for you!"

Jian Ziqing encouraged her with an air of righteousness as she handed the microphone to Lu Chenxue, her eagerness obvious in her gaze.

"Was it Yan Xinxin who plagiarized your ideas and inspiration, copied your work, and trampled on your efforts, wasn’t it?"

She pressed further.

Lu Chenxue took the microphone without changing her expression, facing the judges and audience.

The atmosphere at the scene was unusually quiet.

Holding the microphone, even her shallow breath could be heard.

It was only several seconds later that Lu Chenxue slowly began to speak.

"Yes..."

She parted her lips.

This one word instantly caused Yan Xinxin’s heart to sink.

Mo Chuxi, sitting below the stage, furrowed his brows slightly.

And upon hearing just this "yes," everyone began to seriously doubt Yan Xinxin’s character.

"Everyone heard the response from my friend, didn’t they? The truth is—"

"The truth is I wasn’t done speaking, why are you cutting me off?"

"..."

Jian Ziqing was just about to further incite the crowd against Yan Xinxin when Lu Chenxue suddenly interrupted her.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at the composed face of Lu Chenxue.

"Xue, you—"

"I will now, according to your wishes, tell everyone the truth."

Lu Chenxue glanced at Jian Ziqing, said calmly, then stepped forward, addressing the crowd below the stage.

"Dear friends here, so as not to delay the award ceremony, I will now, as per Judge Jian’s suggestion, disclose all the facts to everyone!"

She spoke as her gaze met Yan Xinxin seated among the contestants, and she offered her a reassuring smile.

"I, Lu Chenxue, from the moment I entered this industry until now, have never drawn a single design draft in my life!"

Lu Chenxue responded with composure and certainty, instantly throwing the entire situation into a dramatic reversal!

The people below the stage widened their eyes in astonishment, confused and curious, unable to process the sudden turn of events.

As the crowd grew restless, Jian Ziqing became flustered and quickly stepped forward.

"Lu Chenxue! What are you saying? This clearly belongs to you—"

"This clearly belongs to you, because you were the one who approached me and bribed me to collaborate with you in ruining Xinxin’s reputation and future here on this stage today. You even said you’d ensure she would never be allowed to enter this industry again by the association."

"..."

Jian Ziqing’s face turned deathly pale, her mouth agape, eyes widened in disbelief.

"Lu Chenxue, you—"

"Hiss—"

The noise from the audience grew even louder.

"Dear judges, I solemnly swear on my honor that Contestant #8 Yan Xinxin’s work is entirely her own creation."

Lu Chenxue firmly assured.

"From the moment Xinxin entered the competition and started to work on her final submission, I was by her side the entire time. Every line and stroke she made came entirely from her own inspiration and ideas. She never borrowed from anyone, and certainly never plagiarized anyone’s work!"

Lu Chenxue’s reversal further astonished everyone.

"And the only reason such an incident has occurred now is entirely because Miss Jian Ziqing, driven by jealousy toward Xinxin, bribed me specifically to cause trouble here."

"You’re lying! Lu Chenxue, you’re slandering me! When have I ever bribed you? We don’t even know each other, so why would I bribe you to do such a thing? Also, everything you’ve said is just your unilateral claim! Do you have proof?"

"Of course I have proof."