The sound, though not loud, emanated from the corner, instantly echoing through everyone's ears with a chilling effect.

“What's going on? Who would plagiarize someone else's work, especially in the realm of perfume?"

"Stealing someone else's perfume idea? This is unprecedented!"

"How is it that shameless people seem to pop up everywhere? I never imagined he could stoop so low."

Whispers spread like wildfire among the guests.

The once vibrant hall now simmered with tense emotions, all eyes fixed on Trey.

At that moment, Trey felt as though he had plummeted into an abyss.

He had been riding high on cloud nine, only to crash into a pit of mud and accusations.

Instinctively, Trey wanted to protest.

No, it was not true! He didn't plagiarize; it was a lie!

But no one would listen. His voice would be drowned out by the murmurs of the crowd, hungry for scandal and spectacle. They didn't want to hush and listen to him.

"Trey!" Lilah's voice cut through the chaos like a clarion call.

Her angelic tones jolted Trey back to reality.

Meeting her gaze, he felt a wave of injustice wash over him, his eyes welling up. "Lilah, you know I never did that."

For any artist, accusations of plagiarism could be a death sentence to their career.

No matter how hard he fought, he feared he might never reclaim his former glory.

Trey trembled at the thought of being dragged down into oblivion.

"Listen, everyone! Trey is innocent of any wrongdoing! He didn't plagiarize." Snatching up the microphone, Lilah's voice rang out with icy determination, silencing the gossipers in an instant.

Her words echoed through the hall, resonating even outside its walls.

Stunned, Trey looked at her with a mixture of hope and desperation.

Upstairs, Hadley and the others were equally taken aback. They hadn't expected Lilah to step forward at such a critical moment.

“Mommy is so brave. I love her even more now," Jerrold said, his chubby face glowing with admiration.

However, Hadley's worry was palpable. She spotted Ruth in the crowd, whose expression was smug and vindictive.

“No, I have to help Lilah," Hadley muttered. Determined, she began to move but was quickly stopped by Devonte.