Ava's words initially seemed insignificant, but closer examination revealed her suspicion that Maeve was lying and fabricating a "culprit." After all, Maeve had made the video, which might be fake and insufficient to prove anything, Mr. Brown, Ms. Mason. Maeve lowered her gaze and smiled. "However, while remaking the sample clothes last night, I accidentally spilled fluorescent powder on them and forgot to remove it. Anyone who touched my sample clothes would have the powder on them. If we turn off the lights, we'll know who it was."

Alex looked at Maeve with surprised admiration. "Close the blackout curtain in the office."

"Are you sure?" Ava asked. "It's not uncommon for us to use fluorescent powder."

Maeve interrupted. "Why don't you wait until we turn off the lights? Don't be anxious." Her voice was gentle, but Ava's face slowly paled. When the blinds were drawn, the colorful powder on Ava was clearly visible in the darkness, matching the powder on the clothes. She stood there, humiliated and trembling, speechless.

The other designers were also surprised. They had underestimated Maeve, believing her to be incapable and unserious, but she had been framed. Had she not been clever, she would have been ruined. Ava had not only harmed Maeve but also delayed everyone's progress, so no one defended her.

"Maeve, you're the victim. How would you like to handle this?" Alex asked gently.

Ava looked at Maeve pleadingly, hoping for forgiveness.

Maeve smiled gently. "Mr. Brown, I believe the company will handle this appropriately. I won't interfere."

Alex nodded. "Don't worry. We'll be fair."

Leah, beside Alex, looked at him in surprise, sensing something.

The matter concluded, but the company's response to Ava was unexpected: immediate dismissal. Ava's face ashen, packed her things, eventually collapsing at her desk and weeping. No one paid attention. After crying, she gathered her belongings and left. Maeve encountered Ava upon her return. Pausing, she was about to pass when Ava spoke.

"Maeve, are you satisfied now? You've forced me into this!" Ava gritted her teeth angrily.

Maeve stopped and looked at Ava calmly. "I don't owe you anything. You did this to yourself. You can't blame me."

Ava sobbed, "I've been with the company for a year, and it's not even my turn on the 'Morningstar' series. What right do you have?"

"If you're truly capable, compete fairly instead of resorting to underhanded tactics."

Ava gritted her teeth. "You were just lucky this time. If you had succeeded, you would be leaving the company."

Maeve smiled faintly. "Why do you think I told you yesterday that I kept half-finished sample clothes?"

Ava's back stiffened, her eyes widening in shock. "You did it on purpose? How did you know?" She had been friendly with Maeve; even if Maeve suspected someone, it should have been Leah.

"I didn't suspect you then. I just thought anyone could be the culprit, so I said that," Maeve replied. "I didn't expect to catch you."

Ava said hatefully, "I planned to do it last night. If you hadn't left the company so late, I wouldn't have been caught."

Maeve's eyes flashed. "So you know my ex?"

Panic flickered across Ava's eyes, but she quickly denied it. "What are you talking about? How would I know your ex?"

Maeve noticed Ava's expression, confirming why Jeff had appeared downstairs last night—Ava had tipped him off. She was astounded by Ava's actions.

Maeve shook her head, unwilling to waste her breath. She turned to leave, but Ava spoke again.

"Do you think you can rest easy just because you forced me out?" Ava's tone was indignant. "Leah hates you more than I do, and you seem close to Mr. Brown. How long do you think she'll tolerate you?"

Maeve turned to Ava. "Since you're fired, I might as well tell you I never believed your accusations. If Ms. Mason were as petty and jealous as you claim, she wouldn't have given me another chance yesterday. Besides, there's nothing between Mr. Brown and me. I have nothing to fear."

Ava, furious, glared as Maeve left. "Just wait and see," she thought.

Around the corner, Alex watched the scene from behind a plant, smiling. He had underestimated Maeve, finding her unexpectedly shrewd. "Interesting," he murmured, inspired by her actions. Maeve returned to the office.

After the incident, the other designers no longer held biases against her, worried about the time needed to remake her damaged samples. They were surprised when Maeve gave the finished samples to Leah. There were no loose threads, snags, or tears; the clothes were perfect. Hanging them on the rack, their appeal was evident. Leah, shocked, asked, "Aren't your sample clothes destroyed?"

"Yes," Maeve replied frankly. "I sensed something was wrong yesterday, so I didn't store these samples in the locker. Ava only destroyed the half-finished ones I rushed to make last night."

Leah was shocked. "So you made backups?" She couldn't believe Maeve's cleverness.

The other designers were impressed. Making samples was time-consuming; they would never have created backups.

Maeve smiled. "It's an old habit. I didn't expect it to be useful!" She preferred extra work to helplessness. Her hard work had paid off. Leah nodded and examined the samples. Finally, she said, "Yes, you passed."

Maeve's eyes lit up, her dimples appearing. "Thank you, Ms. Mason."

Leah coughed, resuming her usual cold expression.