Chapter 3

3.

In that instant, a memory surfaced―Ben once said, "Mia is my absolute goddess."

Could it... could it really be him?

Would he ruin me just for her?

I didn't want to believe it, but I started to keep a close eye on him.

Gradually, Ben noticed my distance. "Evelyn, why are you acting like I'm a criminal?"

I turned away, unable to find the words to explain.

Even Silas noticed the tension. He scolded Ben, "Stay out of her room. A young woman needs her privacy."

Ben pouted but stopped barging in.

However, the next morning, I checked Mia's stream again.

She was showing off a new design with a fake, regretful look on her face.

"Sigh, someone stole my idea from yesterday, so I had to come up with a backup plan."

"Luckily, I have plenty of ideas. I just hope the thief can keep up!"

I looked at the screen and gasped. Her "backup" was the new design I had stayed up all night drawing!

But my door had been locked. Nobody had entered my room.

I stared at the screen, my mind spinning in a chaotic mess.

Was fate unavoidable? Or was it not Ben behind this after all?

What the hell was going on?

While I was lost in thought, Mia noticed I was in her stream and sent me a live invite.

Before I could decide whether to accept, the comments section turned into a shark tank.

"Oh look, the little copycat is here! What's the matter? Need more 'inspiration'?"

"Lmao, she's back to spy again! At least try to be subtle about your thievery!"

"Direct link to the Plagiarism Queen! This is gonna be good!"

Mia put on a fake grin of generosity.

"Evelyn, if you have questions, just ask. I'll teach you."

Every word was a jagged needle of sarcasm, making my face go pale.

While I sat there in silence, Silas suddenly appeared by my side.

He saw the stream and his face darkened.

"Evelyn, I trained you better than this. Are you really going to let her scare you off?"

"Remember, no matter what, you cannot disgrace our school's name!"

I grit my teeth, a surge of defiance rising in my chest.

He was right. I was the true author of those designs. Why should I keep taking this?

I accepted the invite. Mia's mocking face filled half the screen.

The viewers went wild.

"Wow, she actually joined? Just quit the show already, isn't it embarrassing to copy her every day?"

"What can she even do? She's just a professional parasite. Disgraceful!"

My expression hardened. Mia spoke first, smiling with fake innocence.

"Evelyn, are you having a guilty conscience? Is that why you're planning to quit the showcase?"

I had honestly considered quitting, but being humiliated like this―having the truth flipped on its head―ignited a fire in my soul.

She was the one stealing from me, yet she was playing the victim for the cameras!

I took a deep breath and forced myself to stay calm.

"Fine. Since you're so confident, let's settle this at the showcase. Let's see who's really the fraud!"

The stream went quiet for a split second before the comments exploded again.

I didn't wait. I ended the connection immediately.