"That's Bernard Stein, the vice president of the Design Association!"

"Remarkable, he's seldom seen in public."

"His defense of Adaline... Does it imply his belief in her innocence?"

With a stern face, Bernard regarded Lilah with overt contempt. As the competition fell under the Design Association's purview, his word was virtually law.

Moreover, he held significant sway among various elite circles, the Phillips family included.

Lilah, recognizing him, grasped the depth of the association's internal rot. Adaline's skill set wouldn't naturally secure her a spot in such a prestigious contest; it was evident she had benefactors.

Bernard's tone was frigid. "Shall we allot you additional time for reflection? Absent evidence, our competition cannot condone a judge's baseless vilification of a participant!"

His ultimatum was clear: produce proof or face irrevocable expulsion and disgrace.

"Very well, you want proof?"

Lilah retrieved her phone, promptly mirroring its screen to the large display.

An electronic design draft materialized, its timestamp dating back five years. It was virtually indistinguishable from Adaline's so-called original work. The act of plagiarism was glaring.

Lilah announced, "This is a design I conceptualized five years ago."

A collective intake of breath permeated the venue.

Could it be that Adaline did pilfer Lilah's concept?

Adaline, blindsided by the existence of a digital copy, was momentarily engulfed by panic. However, she quickly regained her composure and countered, "Lilah, it's despicable that you've harbored designs on my work for half a decade. That creation was mine; I initially drafted it on paper, and you've shamelessly replicated it."

“Is that so? Can you specify the exact time you conceived this design?" Lilah probed.

"Perhaps in March or April... it's hard to recall precisely; it's been ages," Adaline responded, sidestepping the direct query.

Bernard chimed in, “Lilah, an electronic file doesn't conclusively establish ownership. Who's to say you didn't replicate Adaline's concept?"

"Your bias toward Adaline shows," Lilah retorted with a derisive edge.

Bernard's temper flared. Such insolence was unprecedented among designers addressing him. "My aim is impartiality. You, however, Lilah, seem indifferent to the stature and integrity of the designers.

For someone of your caliber, your perspective is astonishingly myopic!"

Emboldened by the support, Adaline smugly awaited Lilah's next move.

Her goals were twofold: usurping Lilah's work and simultaneously smearing her good name.

As the atmosphere grew increasingly charged, an individual burst onto the scene, delivering a book to Lilah.