Chapter 6
Thalia Anderson won the National Best Design Award for the painting.
At the awards ceremony, the host praised Thalia as a master painter of the new generation.
Bathed in the brilliant lights, Thalia, in her designer gown, shone like a star.
“Caspian, Seraphina won’t be upset, will she?” Thalia’s wide, innocent eyes were fixed on Caspian.
For some reason, a knot formed in Caspian’s stomach.
Thinking of Seraphina at home, a dull ache spread through his chest.
But he quickly reassured himself: Seraphina loved him so much, she would forgive him for anything.
Caspian smiled. “She won’t be. Just focus on the ceremony. I’ll take care of everything else.”
The stage lights found Thalia as she walked onto the stage to thunderous applause.
The host presented the award. “Ms. Anderson, your painting has been named the best work of the new generation. How do you feel?”
“Also, I’ve heard that your sister, your family’s adopted daughter, Seraphina, plagiarized your work. What are your thoughts on this matter?”
The awards ceremony was being broadcast live nationwide, Thalia’s every word and action was being watched by the entire country.
Thalia accepted the trophy, looked at the big screen, and let out a dramatic sigh. “Well, no matter what, she is still my sister. Even though she plagiarized my work, I can’t bring myself to blame her.”
At this, a murmur of admiration went through the crowd at Thalia’s good nature.
The audience began to whisper, “The Andersons are such good people. Not only did they raise a daughter who isn’t even their blood, but they’re choosing to keep the peace even after a plagiarism scandal.”
“That Seraphina never looked like any good. With a face like a seductress, who knows who she’s trying to entice.”
The comments from the audience grew nastier, and a satisfied smile played on Thalia’s lips.
“I hope everyone can forgive my sister, seeing as this is her first time doing something like this. Please don’t hold it against her. I’d like to apologize to all of you
on her behalf.”
Thalia even made a show of bowing to the audience. “I apologize to all of you on my sister’s behalf.”
Just then, the image on the large screen behind her suddenly changed.
Hundreds of draft sketches of the painting flashed onto the screen, each one bearing Seraphina’s name and a precise date.
Instantly, the color drained from Thalia’s face. She shot a desperate, pleading look at Caspian in the audience.
Caspian, didn’t expect this to happen all of a sudden, barked at the organizers, “Cut the feed to the screen, now!”
The organizers also scrambled at the controls. “We can’t!” One of them yelled back. “An external hacker has breached our system!”
“Mr. Kingsley, instead of blaming us, maybe you should have Ms. Anderson think about how she’s going to explain this.”
The media, who had been singing Thalia’s praises just a moment ago, instantly turned on her like a pack of wolves.
“Ms. Anderson, you claim this artwork is yours, so why do all the drafts bear the name of your sister, Seraphina?”
“We now have reasonable suspicion that you are the one who plagiarized Ms. Seraphina’s work,”
“Ms. Anderson, please answer our question directly. Did you or did you not plagiarize your sister’s work?”
Once these reporters caught the scent of a story, they wouldn’t let go.
The host, quick on the uptake, smiled sweetly at Thalia. “Ms. Anderson, due to the unclear copyright of your work, we, the organizers, will hold onto this trophy
Chapter 6
for you for the time being.”
The trophy was taken away by the host.
The reporters practically shoved their cameras in Thalia’s face.
At the critical moment, Caspian burst in with a group of bodyguards in black, shielding Thalia as they forced their way out.
“Today’s events were an accident,” Caspian announced grimly. “I urge all members of the media not to spread baseless rumors, or you will be making an enemy of Kingsley Corp.”
Meanwhile, on the helicopter.
Seraphina had watched the entire awards ceremony unfold.
She sneered. “Caspian really is in love with Thalia. Even with the evidence thrown in his face, he still protects her, willing to stake the future of his entire company on it.”
Back when they were together, Caspian was always pathologically cautious about anything involving Kingsley Corp.
But for Thalia, he was willing to go this far.
Seraphina looked at Spencer. “Do me a favor. Spread the video of that awards ceremony. Make sure everyone sees it.”
“I want Thalía Anderson’s and Caspian Kingsley’s reputations utterly destroyed.”
