CHAPTER 584: CHAPTER 582: IRRETRIEVABLE

Lin Jiayi then said, "The nature of this matter is very serious, it’s a matter of life and death for Zhi Mei. Therefore, we must come forward, for Zhi Mei, and for those original creators who have suffered the same fate."

"We are reluctant to speculate maliciously about others, but the facts leave us no choice. Two days ago, at the Time new product launch, we went to support and learn with appreciation, but we found that Time released all of our main designs. At that time, Director Rose and I were so shocked we could barely regain our composure.

We tried to negotiate privately, and we contacted Time’s management, only to be met with Time’s indifference and verbal abuse.

To survive, we cannot sit back and wait for death, so we must ask everyone here to give us and Zhi Mei justice."

All the journalists in the venue were thrilled; such direct naming and confrontation were simply headline news. Now there was something to report, even worth a series of reports to track ongoing developments.

Lin Jiayi ignored the journalists’ eager hands raised for questions and continued, "Today, we bring forth the works we’ve painstakingly prepared for three months to show everyone. Although Time has already released these designs and they can no longer debut on Zhi Mei’s runway, we earnestly ask you, friends from the media, to give them a chance, tag them with Zhi Mei’s label, and let them be seen by the world. Director Rose and I thank you all."

Lin Jiayi and Rose stood up and bowed deeply to all the media present.

Then, Zhi Mei’s staff brought up two rows of clothing, heightening the tragic atmosphere to a climax.

Those who did not know the full story would surely be moved. Indeed, some young and passionate journalists were already filled with righteous indignation, insisting on exposing Time’s ugly actions and demanding justice for Zhi Mei.

Lin Jiayi, satisfied with the atmosphere and reactions, went on, "These clothes are the painstaking work of Director Rose. Let Rose show these pieces to everyone."

Actually, Rose was reluctant to participate in this part because she felt guilty. However, Lin Jiayi insisted, and after a heated argument, the one with more financial power had the final say, and Rose had to obey.

Rose rushed through the presentation. After all, these journalists didn’t understand design; they were more interested in scandals, secrets, confrontations, and sensationalism. They barely listened to Rose’s explanations and urged her to hurry up, so she just breezed through.

Finally, it was time for the Q&A session, and the journalists were eager to speak.

"Mr. Lin, you claim that Time plagiarized your designs. Do you have any proof?"

Lin Jiayi responded, "These designs were all drawn by Director Rose, line by line. We can’t comprehend why our designs would appear at Time’s launch, especially since they had not announced a launch beforehand and suddenly released new products three days before Zhi Mei’s. If not out of guilt, I can’t understand why."

"Will your fashion show tomorrow continue this confrontation?"

Smiling at the question, Lin Jiayi confidently said, "Yes, it will! Zhi Mei is not so fragile, nor easily defeated. Despite what happened, fortunately, our Director Rose was well-prepared. Besides those main designs, she has produced many other excellent styles, originally planned for release next month, but we had to bring them forward. We hope everyone can support us then, thank you!"

Rose smiled timely.

Just then, a journalist suddenly said, "But I received information that contradicts what Mr. Lin said today. I heard that it was Mr. Lin who bribed an employee of Time and stole four pieces of Zimu’s designs from Time."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room suddenly fell silent. Everyone exchanged glances, then turned to look at Lin Jiayi and Rose.

The employee previously berated by Lin Jiayi realized that this journalist was the uninvited guest and, far from panicking, he almost seemed to revel in the shock, thinking, "That’s what you get for scolding me."

Lin Jiayi felt as if a thunderbolt exploded overhead, almost losing her balance. Where did this person come from? Why is he causing trouble on purpose?

But at this moment, she had to remain calm. What to do? Before she could figure it out, Rose sharply asked, "How much did Time pay you? Are they sending you to disrupt us?!"

Right, we must not admit it, absolutely not!

Lin Jiayi immediately said, "This is slander. I have never bought anything from anyone. We have Director Rose overseeing our studio; we don’t need anyone else’s designs. Director Rose has won three international fashion design competition gold medals and a national-level silver medal recently. Why would we need to buy designs from dubious sources? It’s ridiculous!"

The journalist shrugged and said, "But Time claims they have a recording of you transacting with that Time employee."

Boom!

Lin Jiayi was struck by another thunderbolt, nearly collapsing but managed to say stiffly, "Impossible!"

The journalist persisted, "It’s already spreading online."

What? It’s spreading?

The journalists in the venue got excited again, taking out their phones to check online. Sure enough, as soon as they opened the webpages, they saw a headline pinned at the top, "The pot calling the kettle black: A studio plagiarizes Time and accuses falsely," published half an hour ago, just when the row of clothes came out.

Looking at the headline, it undoubtedly referred to Zhi Mei! HttpStatusCode: 400ens"=Ilriouns are real by the theater and too interesting.

Seeing the other journalists lower their heads to check their phones, Lin Jiayi became flustered. Her assistant immediately took out a phone, opened the webpage, and presented it to Lin Jiayi, who nearly fainted at the sight.

A curious journalist asked, "Mr. Lin, how do you view the news articles online that accuse Zhi Mei of plagiarism by Time? What’s your take on this?"

"It’s fake, all fake, nonsense, they’re slandering us, and I will sue them for defamation!" Lin Jiayi shouted exasperatedly.

The press conference ended hurriedly and sloppily. Lin Jiayi and Rose left in disarray, leaving behind a room full of media excited for chaos.

As soon as they left, Lin Jiayi, unconcerned about the other staff present, immediately glared at Rose and demanded sharply, "What exactly happened?! Tell me! These clothes were all made by you. Why did Time not plagiarize anyone else’s clothes but only yours?! Explain this to me!"

She was now starting to suspect Rose. Could it be that Rose had indeed sold her designs to Time, colluding with Wan Chu’er against her?"