CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 196: COME WITH ME TO THE LAW FIRM

"...Serena Jennings."

The moment just taken stepped became frozen on the spot, and Claire Shaw almost thought she heard it wrong.

Simon Coleman was the first to start applauding, and the others followed suit in applauding Serena Jennings.

Except for Caleb Lockwood.

Caleb Lockwood frowned, showing no sign of surprise or astonishment on his face.

Serena Jennings stepped forward with elegance and confidence, her every movement captivating, even without any deliberate adornment; it was impossible to look away from her beauty.

"Wait a minute!"

Claire rushed in front of Simon Coleman and the other three judges.

"Did you make a mistake? How could the winner be Serena Jennings?"

Claire Shaw couldn’t care less about how her behavior might make her seem like a sore loser; she needed an explanation.

"My restoration speed was much faster than hers, and didn’t you keep praising my craftsmanship just now?"

In response to Claire Shaw’s questioning, Simon Coleman calmly smiled.

"Yes, Miss Shaw, your craftsmanship is quite superb, top-notch domestically."

"Then why?"

"That’s why I said domestically..."

From the side, Catherine interjected.

Only at this moment did Claire Shaw realize that the judges’ compliments for her were conditional—domestically.

Claire Shaw’s face turned pale instantly.

So no matter how high her craftsmanship level, it was only top-tier in Country A.

"No... Impossible... Serena’s hand was injured, how could she reach international standards!"

Seeing Claire Shaw’s relentless disbelief, Simon Coleman handed the scepter restored by Serena Jennings to Claire Shaw.

"You can have a look yourself."

Claire took the scepter, her eyes widening in shock.

Beside her, Simon Coleman’s voice leisurely rang out:

"Miss Jennings restored the curved surface of the scepter; the embedding method is exactly the same as the original, using square stones in an invisible setting. However, due to the immaturity of earlier techniques, stones would easily fall out..."

Among the guests, almost all of whom were industry professionals, the level of craftsmanship displayed by Serena Jennings and Claire Shaw during the restoration process was evident at first glance.

Caleb Lockwood, while not a professional in the jewelry industry, possessed aesthetics and taste.

Therefore, Serena Jennings’ victory did not surprise him in the least.

It was just that...

Caleb Lockwood’s eyes reflected Serena Jennings’ figure.

Serena Jennings wore an ivory white women’s suit, her long hair tied into a single ponytail at the back, appearing capable and sophisticated, calm and intellectual.

In a daze, Caleb Lockwood suddenly couldn’t recall what Serena Jennings looked like when she was a full-time housewife.

Over there, Simon Coleman continued explaining:

"Miss Shaw, although you worked hard to restore the original embedding method, to stabilize the stones you couldn’t completely hide the metal claws. In contrast, Miss Jennings’ technique is consummate, with precise stone arrangement, stable embedding, and perfect metal concealment. Such precise and advanced embedding technology, to my knowledge, can be achieved by only one person..."

BYC!

The name suddenly flashed through Claire’s mind.

Yes, BYC.

Like grasping at the last straw, Claire excitedly shouted at Serena:

"Serena, the embedding technique you used is the uniquely crafted ’Piano’ series’ seamless curved invisible embedding technique by Master BYC. BYC has an exclusive patent on this technique, and as a disciple of Master BYC, you are required to pay patent fees for using it!"

Claire Shaw’s words caused a stir at the scene.

Indeed, industry professionals were aware that four years ago, FY had invited a master designer, further developing the invisible embedding technique into the curved seamless invisible embedding technology, and applied for an exclusive patent.

If Serena used this restoration technique, it would indeed equate to infringement.

Many people turned their gaze to Peter and Sophia Shepherd.

Because they both belonged to FY.

Sophia Shepherd touched her chin, appearing puzzled and troubled about something.

Peter, however, remained astonishingly calm.

"Miss Jennings, are you using BYC’s exclusive patent technique?"

Simon Coleman questioned Serena very earnestly.

Serena nodded.

"Yes."

This admission by Serena almost made Claire jump for joy.

"Curator Coleman, you see, wasn’t I right? Serena has already infringed, so this competition should declare her the loser..."

Claire Shaw spoke to Simon while also looking at Serena: "Serena, you’ve used my master’s patent, you have to pay the patent fees..."

Serena looked at Claire’s aggressive demeanor with a complicated expression, especially upon hearing Claire say "my master," her expression changed slightly.

The guests couldn’t quiet down, whispering amongst themselves, seemingly eager to express their views.

Caleb Lockwood remained very quiet.

His right hand rested on his leg, with his index finger and thumb lightly rubbing together.

It seemed Serena was cornered by Claire.

Caleb gave Ethan White a sidelong glance.

Ethan White smiled gracefully, as elegantly as ever.

"As a disciple of Master BYC, I have the authority to collect the patent fees on behalf of my master." Claire confidently extended her hand toward Serena.

Serena looked at Claire and calmly asked, "You keep saying you’re a disciple of Master BYC, can anyone vouch for that?"

Claire was taken aback, then took out her phone.

"Of course, there is."

After waiting for a short while, someone arrived.

When Cynthia Fulton appeared with a stranger, Serena was puzzled.

"And this is...?"

She asked curiously.

Cynthia replied haughtily, "He is Master BYC’s private lawyer, who can prove that Claire Shaw is indeed Master BYC’s disciple, and also..."

Before Cynthia could finish, the man beside her took out a lawyer’s letter from his briefcase.

"Miss Jennings, you are suspected of infringing my client’s exclusive patent rights, please come with me to the law firm." The man said to Serena in a formal manner.

Everyone’s eyes were on Serena, with varied expressions.

Caleb Lockwood quietly watched Serena.

A voice resounded in his mind:

As long as you look at me, I will lend you a hand.

"You said I infringed your client’s exclusive patent rights... Where is the patent document?" Serena calmly asked the man brought by Cynthia.

Beside her, Claire sneered, "Serena, you’re really denial till you see the coffin, huh? Everyone here knows my master already applied for the patent long ago."

"So where is the patent document?" Serena asked again.

The man wiped sweat from his forehead, clearly feeling uneasy.

"Well... I came in a hurry, how could I bring the patent document."

Serena smiled and turned to look at someone.

Caleb saw Serena speak to Ethan White:

"Ethan, could you help me with something?"

Ethan White immediately stood up.

"Happy to serve."

He came to Serena’s side, and following Serena’s instructions, he turned on the computer and projector in the venue.

After a brief operation by Serena, the screen immediately projected a website.

"This is Country A’s patent system; by entering the patent document number, you can view the electronic patent document."

With Serena’s calm words, the man kept wiping his forehead sweat nervously.

"How could I possibly know the patent document’s number."

"Then just make a phone call to ask your client, won’t you find out?"

"My client is a designer master, busy with designs, has no time for this stuff."

"Just making a phone call to ask for the number won’t take much time."

"I said he doesn’t have time, so he doesn’t!"

The man’s roar quieted down the entire venue.

Serena sighed.

"It’s not that complicated..."

Under everyone’s gaze, she typed a string of numbers into the patent system. The electronic patent document instantly appeared.

On the screen, clearly projected—

Curved Seamless Invisible Embedding Technique, Applicant: Serena Jennings.

Inventor: Serena Jennings.

Patent Holder: Serena Jennings.