Neil spoke with confidence on stage, delivering what felt like a harsh blow to the Adams Group.
The general consensus was now that Vincent had resorted to dishonest methods against the Wheeler Group, which was utterly unacceptable. Some reporters did not hesitate to challenge Vincent directly.
“Mr. Adams, you may be a significant figure, but using such disgraceful methods to mislead consumers? Isn’t that crossing the line?”
Vincent’s gaze turned icy as he looked at the reporter. “Who exactly have I misled?”
“Everyone,” the reporter replied. “Until now, we believed you were genuinely collaborating with Iris, and there were high hopes for this collection. But it seems this was all just a stunt to grab attention.”
Katelyn remained seated, showing no reaction to the accusations. She believed Vincent had already prepared for this situation.
An idea suddenly came to Katelyn’s mind. She gestured for Samuel, who had just returned, and quietly whispered something to him.
A hint of surprise flashed across Samuel’s face, but he nodded and slipped away without a word. No one else seemed to notice their brief interaction, as they were all focused on the ongoing commotion.
As the first reporter finished speaking, others quickly followed, standing up to voice their criticisms against Vincent.
Vincent continued to show no emotion, acting as though he was completely unaffected.
“Everyone has seen what Wheeler Group has presented, but it seems fair to show what my company has created. Maybe then you’ll start questioning who the real Iris is,” Vincent announced.
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As he finished speaking, the large screen behind him began to display the new designs the Adams Group was releasing. Before even the first design had fully appeared, a disturbance broke out at the entrance.
Vincent and Katelyn turned to see Neil and Lise standing in the doorway.
The two entered the room with the air of victorious champions, eager to flaunt their recent success. Their arrival added fuel to the already chaotic scene, escalating it into a frenzy.
Journalists and photographers rushed toward them, capturing as many shots as they could.
Neil flashed a slight grin, his eyes fixed on Vincent. He remembered how Vincent had once tried to crush him, nearly forcing his company into bankruptcy. Now, he saw this as the perfect opportunity to get his revenge, striking Vincent while he appeared vulnerable.
Lise stood beside him, her face adorned with a self-satisfied smile. Her expression radiated confidence.
She wondered how Katelyn would manage to bounce back from this blow. Most importantly, she believed this situation would finally force Vincent to see her true abilities. He would finally recognize the difference between her and Katelyn—the authentic talent and the imitation.
For Vincent to choose Katelyn instead of her, without even giving her a second thought, Lise could only think of him as a complete fool.
Lise spoke in a gentle voice, “Mr. Adams, I understand how important this project is to you and recognize the time and money you’ve invested in it. But that doesn’t give you the right to spread lies and mislead consumers. I have never worked with your company. So why are there so many rumors circulating about me?”
As she spoke, she confidently embraced the identity of Iris.
She lifted her head high, like a peacock flaunting its feathers, reveling in the attention and admiration from those around her. Young, successful, an heiress with a wealthy background, engaged to a prominent man, and claiming the status of a top designer—Lise’s self-assurance had reached new heights.
She felt as if she had finally crushed Katelyn completely beneath her.
Lise looked straight at Katelyn, her voice filled with a mix of false sympathy and arrogance. Speaking in the condescending tone she always used, she said, “And as for you, Katelyn, I warned you before—vanity is not something you should chase. You’ve spent your life building yourself up with lies, but do you realize that one lie can lead to a lifetime of deceit? This time, you chose to impersonate me, and I’m willing to overlook it. But what if you had pretended to be another designer? You’d be facing a lawsuit then.”
Lise’s “sincere” words almost made Katelyn laugh out loud.
She found it more and more apparent that Neil and Lise were made for each other; they were always ready to perform for an audience.
Especially now, with Lise pretending to be Iris. Katelyn rose from her seat, locking her eyes directly on Lise with a sharp, questioning look. “Are you sure you’re truly Iris?”
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