Chapter 32

The reporters, initially excited by the gossip, believed Nathaniel's words and Lily's warm smile signaled a resolution. But the tables had turned. Lily had subtly rebuked Nathaniel in front of everyone! Reporters immediately focused their lenses on Nathaniel's rapidly paling face, contrasting sharply with Lily's calm demeanor.

"Ms. Christian," a reporter asked, "you mean to say you didn't plagiarize Ms. Thayer's work, but she plagiarized yours?"

Lily smiled. "I'd like to clarify. Plagiarism is counterfeiting and infringement. While unacceptable, there's a procedure for addressing self-reprocessing. Beyond plagiarism is 'snatching'—taking something and altering it."

"Isn't that stealing?" the reporter replied.

Lily laughed, offering no further response.

"Lily, what do you mean?!" Nathaniel, his face partly obscured by his raised arms, demanded, his voice strained and teeth gritted. He was visibly agitated but unable to retaliate in front of the crowd. Lily, however, ignored him, calmly addressing the reporters as if surveying a battlefield.

"Ms. Christian," a reporter pressed, "you haven't signed any contracts with MN Inc., meaning you're not an employee. How can you prove you developed their products? What evidence do you have?" The reporters, remaining unbiased, sought to uncover more information for a compelling news story.

Just as Lily was about to answer, Melanie intervened. "What do you mean, Lily? Do you mean I stole your creativity and product?"

Lily responded calmly, a faint smile playing on her lips, "Ms. Thayer, shouldn't we be clearer about what's between us?"

From her entrance to her responses, Lily remained composed. Her clear, soft voice held an undeniable force, a rhetorical question laced with tension that instantly energized the reporters.

Melanie, clenching her fists, forced a smile. Gritting her teeth, she maintained a professional demeanor. "I don't understand, Lily. Please be more specific."

Reporters, suppressing their excitement, gripped their cameras and recording devices, determined not to miss a detail.