Chapter 479

The online comments exploded with outrage.

"Sinclair Enterprises dares to compete in this design competition? Are they planning to plagiarize again?"

"Stop stealing Margaret's creative work!"

"Let's see what ridiculous performance Sinclair Enterprises will put on this time."

A lone voice of reason chimed in, "Maybe Sinclair Enterprises actually hired a talented designer this round." But they were quickly drowned out by the mob.

The most vicious comment read, "Everyone knows their designer copied Margaret's work for years before getting caught."

"Such a prestigious company should investigate these claims properly," another user wrote. "But they clearly underestimated Margaret's threat level."

"This corporation has no ethics when it comes to design integrity."

Margaret Sinclair expertly manipulated the online narrative. Without directly naming Sinclair Enterprises, she painted herself as the wronged party - detailing the emotional devastation of discovering her stolen work and the uphill battle to protect her rights.

Her final post hinted at newfound resilience. "No one can silence me anymore," she wrote, suggesting she'd broken free from corporate intimidation.

The speculation ran wild. "Margaret, did Sinclair Enterprises block you from the competition?" one fan asked. She responded the next day with nothing but a shushing emoji, letting imaginations run wild.

Olivia Sinclair and Evelyn Whitmore monitored the situation closely. Evelyn clenched her fists. "She's using the same old tricks to smear me. After all these years, she hasn't changed her tactics one bit."

Olivia placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Her methods may be predictable, but they're effective. Just follow my plan exactly, and everything will work out."

Their conversation was interrupted by Beatrice Whitmore hobbling out on her cane, with little Isabelle trailing behind. "Grandma Beatrice, please don't worry," the child said earnestly. "Listen to Mommy."

Both women rushed to intercept her. Evelyn caught Beatrice's arm gently. "Grandmother, what are you trying to do?"

Tears streaked down Beatrice's wrinkled face. "I can't just sit by! What are Margaret's true intentions? If only I'd known... I never should have taken in her father from that orphanage. I raised an ungrateful son who fathered this viper!"

Evelyn pulled her grandmother into a tight embrace, her own eyes glistening. "Grandmother, I understand your pain, but there's nothing you can do now. If you truly want to help Miss Sinclair, please don't complicate matters."

Beatrice turned watery eyes toward Olivia, grasping her hand weakly. "This is all my fault. I'm just a useless old woman now."

Olivia squeezed her hand back firmly. "Beatrice, that's not true. Actually, I need your help with something very important."

Hope flickered in Beatrice's eyes as she wiped her tears. "Really? I can still be useful?"

Olivia's smile was warm and genuine. "Absolutely vital."

She leaned in to whisper instructions in Beatrice's ear. The older woman nodded slowly, though hesitation still lingered in her expression.