“This is unbelievable," someone gasped between chuckles.

A voice from the audience spoke up, skeptical of the unfolding drama.

“There's got to be more to this if Lilah's making such claims."

Lilah, unfazed, fixed her gaze on Karol, opting to remain silent. She then directed her attention to the man, challenging him. “You're confident you created the formula, so you would know it intimately, correct?"

With an air of bravado, he affirmed, "Absolutely, it's etched in my mind."

Lilah proposed confidently, “Then let's put it to the test. We'll both jot down the ingredients of the formula here in front of everyone. Afterward, we can have an expert from the Makeup Artists Association verify the authenticity of our claims. How does that sound?"

"I'm on it," Karol announced as she instructed her assistant to make the call.

The murmurs in the room grew louder as people debated the necessity of involving the Makeup Artists Association.

"Is this really a matter for the Makeup Artists Association, or should we get the authorities involved?" someone pondered aloud.

"Lilah's not confessing to anything. It'll be interesting to see her reaction when the experts arrive."

One attendee was already dialing. "I'm on the line with law enforcement. It's only a matter of time before we deal with the deceit."

The man was unshaken in his conviction, promptly accepting the challenge. “Let's do it. I'm ready to prove my claim."

Karol couldn't resist taunting, “Lilah, you've really mastered the art of distorting the truth. haven't you?"

Undeterred, Lilah's reply was cool and steady. "Time will tell the true story."

Karol's smirk remained. “Confess now, and you might salvage a shred of dignity. Otherwise, you're past the point of redemption."

Lilah's response was pointed. "Am I to express gratitude to you, then, Miss Morris?"

As their exchange continued, the entrance to the conference room welcomed a new set of players. Men in sharp suits entered with purpose.

“Lilah, representatives from the Makeup Artists Association have arrived. Show us the hand you're playing," Karol announced, an edge of theatrics in her voice.

She was already looking beyond the current confrontation. In her mind's eye, the prestige of the White Dew brand soared following the resolution of this scandal.

As the representatives from the association entered, the crowd's mood was a mix of anticipation and scorn.

"Look at this, the Phillips Group's reckoning has come."

"By tomorrow, they'll be outcasts. Groups that thrive on theft don't last."

The disdain was palpable. "There's no excuse for stealing the efforts of another!"

Predictions about Lilah's fate were rampant. "She'll be trading her office for a jail cell soon."