CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72: PRESIDENT HAWTHORNE, THIS IS SLANDER!

Seeing both sides at an impasse, at this moment, Silas Everett suddenly said, "Silas frowned slightly and said, ’It’s meaningless to argue who copied whom now. Let’s wait for the results from a professional appraisal agency.’"

Speaking up to this point, Silas couldn’t help but look at everyone present, saying, "Dear judges, I have a suggestion. We could have a professional appraisal agency assess these two works to see if there is any plagiarism involved. This would ensure the fairness of the contest and provide a just result for Miss Lynch and Sinclair Group."

The judges nodded in agreement after hearing Silas’s suggestion. The host also said, "Alright, let’s follow Mr. Everett’s suggestion and invite a professional appraisal agency to examine these two works. Other contestants, please continue with the competition."

Vivian looked at Silas, her heart filled with gratitude.

Jessica, however, was not content to be refuted like this; she wanted to say something else but was stopped by Sean Sinclair, "Enough, stop arguing."

Jessica glared fiercely at Vivian and then sat down.

Meanwhile, Caden Hawthorne held Vivian’s hand tightly and comforted her, "Don’t worry, let’s sit down and patiently wait."

Vivian’s heart was filled with grievance and anger.

She couldn’t understand why Sean Sinclair and Jessica would be so shameless, biting back at them.

But facing Caden Hawthorne’s concerned gaze, Vivian still nodded obediently and sat back down.

At this time, the atmosphere at the jewelry competition became even more tense. The other participating designers showcased their works one after another, and the contest continued, as if everything earlier were just a minor episode.

As the other contestants’ works were presented one by one, the tense atmosphere in the venue slightly eased, but Vivian’s heart was still uneasy.

Noticing this, Caden Hawthorne waved to Bryan Coleman.

Bryan approached, and Caden whispered something in his ear.

Afterward, Bryan nodded and left the competition venue.

At this moment, unnoticed by anyone, Jessica also left the audience seats.

She went backstage, took out a thick envelope, handed it to the appraisal staff, and said something to them.

This scene was coincidentally witnessed by Silas Everett’s subordinates.

Upon seeing this, Silas’s subordinate immediately returned to the judges’ table and quietly informed Silas of what had happened. Silas squinted his eyes slightly and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

Meanwhile, in the audience, Vivian’s unease grew stronger.

Caden noticed her emotional change, gently patted her hand, and said softly, "Don’t worry, I’m here."

Vivian looked at Caden in front of her, nodded slightly, but the worry in her heart was hard to dispel.

Minute by minute, time passed, and finally, the contest came to an end, with the host announcing that the results would soon be revealed.

Suddenly, the entire room fell silent as everyone eagerly awaited this moment.

Vivian clutched Caden’s hand tightly, her palms sweating.

Just then, Silas suddenly stood up and said to the host and the judges, "Before announcing the results, I have something to tell everyone."

All eyes turned to Silas, uncertain of what he was about to say.

Silas scanned the venue, then slowly said, "My people just saw Jessica backstage in contact with the appraisal staff and handing them a thick envelope. I feel it’s necessary for everyone to be aware of this to ensure the fairness of the appraisal results."

Silas’s words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing an uproar. The audience began whispering, questioning Jessica’s actions.

Vivian’s eyes widened, filled with anger.

"Jessica, did you really cheat?"

"I didn’t." Jessica, seeing all eyes fall on her, panicked, standing up in denial.

"Miss Hart, my people saw you bribing the appraisal staff firsthand. Do you have anything to say?"

"Stop accusing me without evidence. If you say I bribed the staff, where’s the proof? Accusations without proof are false!" Jessica retorted defiantly, but a hint of guilt flickered in her heart.

Caden looked disdainful, saying coldly, "Sean Sinclair, you and Jessica conspired together to win this competition. You really went to great lengths! But as long as I’m Caden Hawthorne, I won’t allow anyone to plagiarize my wife’s work."

Sean was left embarrassed by Caden’s words, trying to maintain composure, "President Hawthorne, this is slander!"

"Whether it’s slander or not, we’ll find out soon." Caden showed a confident expression.

Silas smiled slightly and said unhurriedly, "Miss Hart, if you don’t want people to know, don’t do it. Your act of bribery has been captured by my assistant; this is the evidence."

As he spoke, Silas took the assistant’s phone and showed the photo to everyone.

Jessica’s face turned uglier, she bit her lip, not knowing how to respond.

At this moment, Sean also stood up, his face equally grim. "Mr. Everett, even if Jessica did meet with the staff, it doesn’t prove she bribed them. Perhaps she just had some questions to ask?"

Silas shook his head and said, "Mr. Sinclair, this is sophistry. At such a critical moment, Miss Hart going to the appraisal staff and handing them a thick envelope is very suspicious. Moreover, we all know that bribing staff during a contest is a serious violation of rules, and if proven, will result in severe punishment."

Sean was silent for a moment and then said, "Mr. Everett, I hope you’re not concluding Jessica bribed the staff based on one side of the story. We can wait for the appraisal results; if our work is not copied, it will prove Jessica is innocent."

"Mr. Sinclair, are you assuming there’s no surveillance backstage and we don’t know what Jessica said to the staff? Well, it’s okay, we have other evidence." Silas smirked slightly, clapping his hands.

In the next moment, the bribed staff member was brought before everyone by Silas’s subordinates.

"Young master, we’ve brought him."

The audience was in an uproar, their eyes all focused on the staff member.

Jessica and Sean’s faces turned pale instantly; they didn’t expect Silas could act so swiftly, but why was he helping Vivian?

The staff member hung his head low, not daring to meet anyone’s gaze.

Silas looked at him and said in a serious tone, "Tell us about the matter between you and Jessica. If you confess voluntarily, you might still face leniency. But if you continue to hide, the consequences will be more severe."