Chapter 155

Onyx's jaw nearly hit the floor as he surveyed the room, now packed with media reporters. The organizers had mentioned only two outlets would be attending; instead, he faced a sea of flashing cameras and eager faces. He quickly composed himself, flashing a smile at Melany.

"Miss Johnson," he said, "I owe you one for arranging this."

He wasn't naive. The extra press couldn't be a mere coincidence. Beyond the two invited outlets, it was clear the others had been brought in specifically.

Melany blinked in confusion, momentarily caught off guard. But then, as realization dawned, her lips curved into a gracious smile.

"Oh, no need to thank me," she replied smoothly. "This was all arranged by Colton. Since you've agreed to partner with us, we wouldn't let you miss the spotlight." She added, with a playful grin, "Don't worry about a thing. We're well-connected with the media here in Ontdale. A good interview today could boost your popularity."

Colton, however, furrowed his brow slightly. He hadn't contacted any media outlets, so what was Melany talking about? Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Melany gave his arm a subtle squeeze, her intent clear. He quickly caught on. After all, the Stevens Group regularly held press conferences with multiple reporters; whether they had arranged this or not, they could easily take the credit.

Onyx beamed at them earnestly. "Thank you, Mr. Stevens. I really appreciate it. Without your help, I might have been in way over my head."

As he climbed onstage, a sea of cameras swiveled toward him, lenses trained on his every move. He was immediately bombarded with questions: "Have any renowned local or international artists influenced your work? We've heard about your collaboration with the Stevens Group—is it official yet? Your comics are hailed as treasures in the field. What advice would you give to aspiring creators?"

With each question, a sense of pride welled up inside him. "These comics are entirely my original work," he declared, his confidence radiating. "As for the collaboration with the Stevens Group, we're still in the preliminary stages. I ask for your patience, and I truly hope everyone enjoys my stories."

Onyx knew his comics were already a hit, but the level of attention and warm reception were beyond anything he'd imagined. In the world of comics, few had experienced such a media frenzy.

"My work was born during my time in Leswington," Onyx continued, his tone shifting, becoming more personal. "Back then, I was living abroad, renting a small apartment and surviving on the cheapest sandwiches. I worked tirelessly, day and night. Looking back now, that tough stretch might have been the most valuable part of my journey."

Onyx always exuded a sincere cheerfulness, which was part of his charm. Now, as he feigned a shy smile, his fans erupted in cheers.

"But every great artist has endured trials," he added in a more solemn tone. "Even the greatest artists have faced moments of doubt, but I've never let those struggles define me. I like to think it's my talent and grit that have brought me here, and nothing else."

His expression gradually grew more resolute as he commanded the room's attention. "I've faced countless obstacles," he continued, his voice growing more impassioned. "Take this morning, for example—I had a run-in with a woman who accused me of plagiarizing her work. While I've encountered many troublemakers over the years, I've always come out unscathed."

His words dripped with the kind of practiced conviction that molded public opinion. This was his way of telling Allison to back off—spinning his own tale, using the gathered media to twist the narrative before Allison could make another move. He had to paint her as the villain before she even had a chance to speak.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, indignant murmurs rippled through the crowd. "Who would dare accuse him? Onyx is a genius—there's no way he'd stoop to plagiarism! If that woman was so talented, wouldn't we already know her name?" The younger fans were especially quick to rally behind him, indignant and outraged, chanting Onyx's name in support.

Melany watched with smug satisfaction, her lips curling into a barely concealed smile as the voices swelled around her. She leaned closer to the microphone, her voice dripping with false sympathy.

"Onyx is too kind," she said. "He knows that woman's only lashing out because of her miserable marriage. So, let's not hold it against her."

Though her words spoke of forgiveness, the venom behind them was undeniable. Melany knew full well that the rumors would spread like wildfire, and by tomorrow, Allison's name would be on everyone's lips. After all, too many had seen her slip into the lounge with Onyx; someone was bound to have caught it on camera. Just thinking about Allison's impending doom deepened Melany's smile.

Just as she was basking in her victory, a voice cut through the murmur of the crowd. "In that case, Onyx," a young man called out, his voice trembling at first but gaining strength, "why not draw something on the spot to silence these rumors?"

Garry, usually shy and reserved, had summoned every ounce of courage to stand up. His heart raced, but his resolve was clear. "Many people have noticed a disconnect in your recent work. Since you claim you haven't plagiarized, why not create something new right here, right now, to prove it?"