After Emma left, Lilah made her way down using the elevator.

Inside the mall, customers who had read the news online were expressing their shock and disappointment.

“This is a copy? How could the Phillips Group do this?"

"I thought there was some partnership. It's just plagiarism by the Phillips Group? I can't believe I supported a plagiarist. I'm out of here."

Anger rippled through the crowd, with some customers becoming so upset that they started causing a commotion.

"Please calm down!"

In the midst of the escalating chaos, a calming voice echoed from the upper floor. All eyes turned to see Lilah, standing poised and ready to address the crowd.

"The Phillips Group will provide an explanation. We are not a company that engages in plagiarism."

Her seriousness left the crowd in a state of confusion.

A voice from the crowd challenged her, "But the Dillon Group notarized their design. What can you say to that?"

Lilah responded, "All we ask is for your trust. If it turns out we did plagiarize, you can criticize us then."

Her words made the crowd uncertain.

“Maybe the Phillips Group didn't plagiarize after all?"

"Remember when Lilah was targeted online before? It turned out she was framed. Could this be a similar situation?"

"But the other company's design is notarized. How could they frame Lilah? But anyway, we're already here. There's no harm in taking a stroll."

The atmosphere gradually shifted as the crowd decided to explore the mall. Those who had intended to cause trouble left, feeling defeated.

Meanwhile, at the Dillon Group, Marlene received an update.

"Lilah's standing her ground," her assistant informed her. "She's promised an explanation to everyone."

Marlene dismissed Lilah's response with disdain. "What can she possibly say to explain this? It's just a stalling tactic. It's ridiculous how easily people are swayed by her words."

Determined to escalate the situation, Marlene instructed, "Get the trolls working to stir this up. And if Lilah can't provide an explanation today, have someone disrupt her shops.”

She was curious to see how Lilah would manage the unfolding crisis.

As the afternoon progressed, the situation at Phillips Mall became increasingly tense. Fewer people were shopping, and more were gathered outside, demanding an explanation. The staff inside faced mounting pressure.

Meanwhile, Lilah's phone was inundated with calls.

It was then that someone uncovered that Ewing Happer, previously associated with the Dillon Group, was now the Phillips Group's architectural designer. The revelation quickly spread online.