Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother novel Chapter 264

Chapter 264: Half Part Only

A few minutes before the time ran out, Natalie finished making her perfume. Finally, everyone in the audience let out a sigh of relief.

Natalie carried her creation to the judges and placed the tray in front of them. All five judges tested it one by one, their expressions shifting noticeably. They looked at each other in disbelief, then turned their gazes to Natalie.

They examined the formula Natalie had written, and their expressions changed once more.

Briena, standing to the side, smirked smugly. Now it’s time for your downfall, Natalie.

"Ms. Natalie, you and Ms. Briena have created exactly the same perfume. How can that be?" one of the judges asked.

Whispers rippled through the hall, the audience stunned.

"Has she plagiarized Briena again?"

"Seems like it. Briena finished first, clearly knowing what she was creating, while Natalie looked lost and confused."

Despite the murmurs, Natalie remained calm and composed, her expression serious and unwavering.

The judges turned to Briena. "Ms. Briena, what do you have to say about this?"

Briena walked confidently toward the judges and stood beside Natalie, adopting a sorrowful expression. "I have no idea why her perfume is similar to mine. I worked hard to create it, and the formula is imprinted in my memory, which is why I could make it faster and perfectly."

Her words, spoken with a tone of feigned innocence, clearly implied her accusation.

Someone from the audience shouted loudly, "Natalie Ford, have you stolen your sister’s work again, just like in the past? I’m sure you did. You don’t deserve to be here."

The hall buzzed with accusations.

Mia, who had been quiet until now, clenched her fists, her anger evident. She was ready to confront the man, but Cathy placed a calming hand on hers. "Calm down and keep quiet."

Mia swallowed her anger and remained seated, though her frustration was palpable.

Briena turned to Natalie with a sorrowful expression. "In the past, you did the same. Don’t tell me you’ve stolen my formula this time as well. How could you, Natalie? I thought you’d been working hard, and I was rooting for you."

Clara, seated in the audience, marched toward them, her face filled with indignation. She glared at Natalie. "You stole Briena’s work again?"

"Calm down," one of the judges interjected. "It could be a coincidence—"

"Coincidence?" Clara snapped. "There is no coincidence here. I’m certain she stole it. She’s done it before," she said, turning toward one of the judges. "Mr. Ker, you were one of the judges last time. You know what Natalie did back then."

Mr. Ker, visibly uncomfortable, simply hummed and stayed silent.

Clara turned back to Natalie, her voice filled with fury. "You’ve always been like this. Last time, I let it go, thinking we’re family, but this time you’ve crossed the line. I’ll make sure you go to prison for this. I am calling police."

Natalie met Clara’s and Briena’s accusations with a calm, almost dismissive expression, as though she regarded them both as fools.

"Ms. Natalie," one of the judges said sternly. "What is going on here? Did you really..."

"I didn’t," Natalie finally replied, her voice steady and unwavering.

Briena seized the opportunity. "Natalie, I know you’ve always envied me, but you’re talented too. I’m sure you could have created a great perfume on your own. What was the need to steal my work? How could you do this?"

Natalie, still calm, finally turned to look at Briena, her gaze icy. "What if I say you’re the one who stole my formula and you failed to steal properly?"

"Who creates it first doesn’t matter," Natalie replied, a faint smirk forming on her lips. "What matters is who creates it perfectly."

"No! There is nothing missing!" Briena snapped. "I worked hard to create it, and I know my own formula!" _{freёwebnovel.com}