Chapter 1029 In Court (7) There’s No Plagiarism
Chapter 1029 In Court (7) There’s No Plagiarism
Chapter 1029 In Court (7) There’s No Plagiarism
"You're lying, you're just spouting nonsense!" Minerva was being trampled on by someone and she was
getting agitated, causing a scene.
"Quiet! The plaintiff needs to be quiet. If you don't follow the rules of the court, we will take action
according to disrupting court order!"
Minerva held back and didn't dare speak up again.
"Your honour, that is the defence for my client's alleged plagiarism case."
The judge nodded and asked, "Does the plaintiff need to defend themselves?"
Minerva wanted to speak up but couldn't get a word out before her lawyer spoke up. "No."
"What do you mean 'no'?!" Minerva yelled at her lawyer.
Wynne Simmons knew better than anyone that saying more now would only make things worse. He
told Minerva straightforwardly, "The facts are clear. There is no point in defending yourself anymore. I
suggest listening to the court's judgment."
"I didn't plagiarize!" Minerva couldn't take it anymore. "Besse plagiarized my work."
"The court will decide," said the plaintiff's lawyer again.
"I don't accept it!" Minerva declared.
"Whether or not you accept it doesn't matter. After this trial, if there are any objections, you can apply
for a second trial. For now, though, this is where we stop."
Minerva gritted her teeth as tears welled up in her eyes. She knew that this verdict wouldn't be what
she wanted it to be. But with her attorney giving up on defending her case, she had no other choice.
After confirming everything once more time, the judge announced, "Adjourned for half an hour."
As soon as he finished speaking, the judge along with the jury left their seats for a discussion over the
result. And immediately after they left, there was some commotion in place.
"I used to sympathize with Phantom but I never thought that she would copy someone else's work! It's
unbelievable!"
"Me too! I originally thought of taking pleasure from seeing justice served since being copied as this
sucks. But, look at now, what a reversal!" This text is © NôvelDrama/.Org.
"The way I see it, Besse might not have copied anything or maybe even if she did, it doesn't constitute
as plagiarism since she may have completely forgotten about someone else already creating
something similar."
"Speaking of Hannah Cooper, when she was still working at Celina as their designer, she created an
entire series dedicated towards friendship, specifically made by one of her best friends who got
married. That series was amazing and touched me deeply because I could feel their deep friendship on
those beautiful wedding dresses…"
Susan heard all these conversations around here, and tears just kept streaming down non-stop from
her eyes.
That wedding dress Hannah designed for her contained the most solid friendship in the world.
"Don't cry," Manuel comforted Susan by her side.
Yet she was overwhelmed by her memories of Hannah, and she couldn't stop it. Tears were thick in her
eyes, through which she looked up and saw Bess's back at the defence table. It was a familiar back as
if she had seen Hannah standing there.
Half an hour later, the judge and jury returned to the courtroom and everyone stood up in silence.
The judge announced, "The First Court of the Capital has made a judgment on Minerva's accusation of
plagiarism against Besse."
"Firstly, It is clear that Besse suffered from amnesia 4 years ago and that Water Ripple Design
Magazine closed down with only 500 copies sold during that season. Therefore, it is established that
Besse could not have read any magazines by Water Ripple Design during those 4 years and therefore
cannot be accused of plagiarizing Minerva; Secondly, it is a fact that the Angel series' original author is
Hannah and this court will no longer accept Minerva's accusation as the original author of this design
against others for plagiarism. This court pronounces its verdict and will deliver its judgment within 5
days."
The judge struck his gavel and left with his team while other people slowly started leaving too.
Manuel turned around looking towards where someone had been standing earlier but they had already
left. He helped Susan out saying, "Let's go outside to wait for Besse."
Susan followed him out first before waiting at the door for Besse, along with Doyle who was also there
waiting. Since the conflict that had happened that day, things had become pretty tense between
Manuel and Doyle. Susan didn't quite understand why Manuel couldn't get along with Doyle when he
normally never had any issues with anyone else. Could it be because she glanced at Doyle a few times
or complimented him on being handsome? Was he so petty?
As Susan pondered these thoughts, a loud voice suddenly erupted from nearby as Minerva began
arguing loudly with her lawyer.
"Who do you think you are not defending me anymore?! How dare you!" She shouted angrily while her
lawyer tried to keep calm despite being visibly annoyed by what she said.
"Mr Simmons, lawyers like you shouldn't even bother practising law anymore. I'll make sure your bad
habits are exposed online so everyone knows what kind of lawyer you truly are." She continued
shouting in anger.
The lawyer couldn't take it anymore. "Have you said enough?! Who would want to represent someone
as dishonest as you? You're not even original, what right do you have to accuse others? I didn't come
to settle scores with you, and now you're threatening me?! Do you have any shame at all?"
"Wynne, you took my legal fees and yet speak to me like this?!"
"If I had known you're not original, I wouldn't have represented you. It's ridiculous!"
"Who made you the expert to judge me? Huh?"
"You know the truth," The lawyer interrupted her. "I thought maybe if you got out of here, the reporters
might not let you go. As your defence attorney, I wanted to help protect my client a little bit. But now it
seems like I was overthinking things. Someone like you can handle the media just fine on your own!
Goodbye."
"You stop right there!" Minerva yelled after him.
The lawyer ignored her and left quickly.
Minerva stamped her feet in fury where she stood. Susan hurried over while Manuel did nothing to stop
her. It seemed like only then did Minerva notice Susan standing outside the courtroom doors. But when
she saw Susan's face, hers visibly changed. She gritted her teeth and turned away from Susan.
"What? Don't you remember your old classmate?" Susan began.
"What's up?"
"Nothing much," Susan replied casually. "Just wanted to see how pathetic your situation has become.
Why are you so foolish? To disgrace yourself in public?!"
"Susan!!"
"When we were in school together back then," Susan continued relentlessly, "I always felt that every
move of yours was driven by jealousy towards Hannah, but who knew you became a thief to steal
Hannah's designs for personal gain, even extortion attempts! How does it feel now, Minerva? When
karma comes knocking at your door? Does it hurt or what?"
"Susan, stop it..." Minerva couldn't hold back anymore and wanted to lash out physically against her.
"Don't even think about laying a finger on her." A cold voice suddenly rang out, stopping Minerva in her
tracks.