Chapter 1023: In Court (1) Plead Not Guilty

Besse was quiet. Doyle felt a strange familiarity with the place; she felt it too.

"I'm like one of their friends," she said, "That's why there was a misunderstanding."

"I don't understand. You've never been to Northfield, yet they thought you looked like someone they knew."

"Neither do I," Besse laughed, puzzled by her inexplicable sense of familiarity with a place she'd never visited.

"Don't think about it. We'll leave after a few days in court."

"Promise you won't come back," Doyle said seriously.

"Okay."

The truth was, the place evoked a strange mixture of familiarity and fear.

Five days later, Besse faced court for plagiarism. Besse sat at the defendant's table, "Phantom" (Minerva Bird) at the plaintiff's. Many people filled the audience, including Susan, Manuel, and a distant Doyle, still avoiding Manuel after their recent unpleasant encounter.

"Ah, there you are," a familiar voice interrupted their tense silence.

Susan looked up to see Theodore beside them.

"Where's Oscar?" she asked, looking around.

"Not convenient for him," Theodore replied smoothly. "Probably doesn't want to see his love rival." He smirked at Doyle.

"Huh? You've got time to mock others?" Susan sneered. "But Little Bunny's gone cold on you. What happened?"

Theodore fell silent; Susan knew how to strike a nerve.

"Quiet!" The bailiff restored order, reiterating the courtroom's rules. Everyone rose as the judge entered.

The plaintiff's lawyer began, "My client, Minerva Bird, 'Phantom,' released an original design eight years ago. Besse, a well-known designer for Karami, plagiarized it for commercial gain, severely damaging my client's reputation. We sue Besse for plagiarism, demanding compensation for all profits from the 'Angel' series and a public apology."

The court was shocked by the plaintiff's demands. The 'Angel' series had generated billions, not just for its design but its brand recognition. Even a relaunch would never reach those heights. A public apology, on top of compensation, seemed excessive.

"This is our evidence," the plaintiff's lawyer said, presenting documents to the judge.

The evidence clearly indicated plagiarism; only compensation remained to be determined.

"Based on the evidence," the judge began, "it appears Besse committed plagiarism. We will now hear from the defense."

"Thank you, Your Honor," Besse's confident lawyer declared, "We deny those allegations."

The bold denial shocked everyone. Winning sympathy seemed crucial; this move was baffling.

Minerva sneered at their perceived arrogance. Besse's attempts at defense only reinforced her guilt.

"Your Honor," Besse's attorney continued, ignoring the reactions, "I have questions for my client."

"Permission granted."

Besse looked at her attorney, curious.

"Miss Besse, have you ever visited Northfield?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. My travel records show this is my first time in Northfield."

"Okay," the lawyer nodded, turning to the judge. "Your Honor, may I question the plaintiff?"

"Permission granted."

The lawyer approached Minerva, who sat up straight.

"Miss Bird, did you submit your original design to Water Ripple Design Magazine eight years ago?"

"Yes."

"That magazine went bankrupt five years ago."

"That doesn't change the fact my design was published eight years ago. This is the issue," she held up a yellowed magazine, "it's out of print."

The lawyer chuckled. "Without this magazine, you couldn't prove publication?"

"That's right. But what goes around comes around!" Minerva smirked.

"I agree," the lawyer said, "Was this magazine distributed online?"

Minerva frowned. "Whether it was online is irrelevant! What's your point?!"

"Miss Bird, I don't doubt your design was published. But, fashion designs were then circulated only through print media. The magazine went bankrupt five years ago, so online republication is impossible. With its 2000-copy print run, in a pre-internet era, it's highly improbable my client, overseas, could have obtained a copy."