Chapter 77
I was taken aback and looked surprised as James walked over, his purple earrings glinting in the sunlight. He stood right next to me.
Bella frowned, her gaze somewhat confused. “Who are you?”
ames smiled slyly and adopted a challenging tone, “I’m just a concerned citizen here to observe. Any problem with that?”
Bella shook her head.
James took a step forward, raising his voice disdainfully, “Bella, don’t act pitiful in front of the reporters. Haven’t you had enough of this fake suicide act?”
Bella instinctively took a step back, feeling lost. “I haven’t.”
James looked at her with a mocking expression, “If I killed you and apologized to your lifeless body, would you forgive me then?”
Bella widened her eyes, looking pitiful, “How could you say that?”
James shrugged nonchalantly, “But that’s exactly what you did, isn’t it? You know, not everyone who does something wrong deserves forgiveness.”
“When you forced me into a corner, did you apologize to me? When you plagiarized my work for two years, did you apologize to me? When you faked your suicide, causing millions of people online to slander me, did you apologize to me? Now you’re pretending to be pitiful, but it’s too late.“”
James’s words acted like a wake–up call for everyone present.
Indeed, Bella had done so many despicable things, and now she expected me to forgive her with a simple apology and win sympathy from the media. They realized how foolish they had been to be fooled by this act.
Some journalists even started whispering to each other.
“After doing something like this, she still has the nerve to ask for Sophia’s forgiveness.”
Chayer 77
“Yeah), she’s just putting on a show in front of us, right, Mr. Lopez?”
“If she really wanted Sophia’s forgiveness, she wouldn’t have pressured her in front of everyone before the trial.”
Bella heard these words loud and clear and could see the contempt in their eyes.
Victoria knew that James’s appearance had foiled his plan, so he immediately protected Bella and walked toward the courthouse.
I glanced at James and said, “Thank you.”
James chuckled, “Ah, Lia, what’s our relationship? Don’t be so polite. I genuinely admire your abilities and can’t stand that Bella.”
1, who was feeling grateful, changed my mind after hearing his flippant tone and turned to leave,
James quickly caught up, “Don’t be so unfriendly. After all, I just helped you.”
I remembered my promise to keep my distance from James after last night’s conversation with Lukas and kept my distance.
I remained expressionless, “I didn’t ask for your help.”
James raised an eyebrow, “Lia, if you say that, you would seem heartless.”
Martins arrived at the courthouse and saw James following me inside. His expression changed, and he immediately found a reporter to inquire about what had just happened. He then quickly informed Lukas that James had come to observe today’s plagiarism case.
The lawsuit, which had been highly publicized, actually lasted for less than two hours. I presented solid evidence, including original design drafts, handwriting analysis reports, audio recordings, and chat records, among other things. With the support from the public, Bella was left defenseless.
In the end, the court ruled that Bella’s plagiarism of my jewelry designs, totaling 21 pieces, severely damaged my reputation.
The court ordered Bella to immediately stop spreading my designs, issue a public apology,
87.6%–
Chapter 77
compensate me for economic losses amounting to 2 million, and pay reasonable expenses of 23,000. Bella’s side was also ordered to stop the post–production and sale of my designs.
As soon as the court concluded the case, the media reporters quickly spread the verdict. Bella was found guilty of plagiarism and had to pay compensation and issue an apology, which instantly brought me immense fame.
When Bella left the courtroom, she glared at me with teary eyes.
ignored her completely and left in large strides.
Victoria, with an unpleasant expression, was about to catch up, but Martins blocked his
path.
Martins clearly remembered how Victoria had treated me before. He said sternly, “Mrs. Lopez, please behave yourself and don’t provoke Mr. Strakovski into taking action against
you.”
Victoria’s expression changed repeatedly, but in the end, she didn’t pursue me and turned
to find Bella.
Seeing her mother’s distressed look, Bella whispered, “Mom, don’t worry. Although Sister married Lukas, he hasn’t done anything to you despite how you treated her. Moreover, Lukas hasn’t even acknowledged her identity, and he didn’t come to observe the case today. It shows that sister is insignificant to him. Don’t scare yourself.”
Hearing this, Victoria nodded with a clouded expression.
James continued to follow me outside, “Sophia, now that we won the case, how are you planning to thank me?”
I didn’t want to get involved with him any further and said directly, “Even without you, we would have won the case.”
James raised an eyebrow, “Sophia, you can’t say that. Before the trial, I helped you regain some face in front of the media. You can’t be so ungrateful as a person.”
“Thank you then. Also, we’re not close, so please don’t get so close to me.” My voice was cold
and distant.
Chapter 7
As I reached my car. I opened the door and was about to leave.
James stepped forward, grabbed my arm, and acted mischievously, “Sophia, don’t be so distant. We should celebrate our victory, shouldn’t we?”
I frowned. I was about to shake off James’s hand when I suddenly found myself being forcefully pulled over and pressed against his chest.
Before I could free my arm from James’s grasp, a cold and icy voice sounded above me,
me,
Stay away from her.”
