Chapter 85

Eliana's lips curved in an easy smile. "Please don't underestimate me. For something this small, I don't need anyone's help."

Carl had always thought highly of her. When he'd watched her kneel by the roadside and change a tire on her own, he'd known she wasn't like most girls.

Now that he knew she was Riley, he had even more reason not to doubt her. "I'm not underestimating you,"he said, his brows drawing together, "but this involves the Pearson family..."

The Murray family had never been on the same level as the Pearsons-and now, the gap was wider than ever.

Eliana simply patted his shoulder. "Relax. I've got my own way of handling it. Leave it to me."

Carl hesitated, then nodded.

For reasons he couldn't explain, he had a feeling there was nothing in this world she couldn't manage.

Before long,hurried footsteps approached.Jordy arrived, slightly out of breath.

Thanks to Tristan's prior arrangements, he met no resistance-Doran personally led him straight to Tristan.

The judges were already gathered in the meeting area, waiting.

Within minutes, they were following Tristan back to the main exhibition hall.

Tristan took the microphone from Rocco, then handed it to Davin. "She's your student. You should announce it."

Tristan's words landed like a weight in Davin's chest, making his heart ache. Clearing his throat, he stepped forward."Ladies and gentlemen..."

The crowdstilled instantly. People pulled closer. Leyla stood poised, her chin lifted slightly, a confident smile playing on her lips. Finally. This was it-the moment she would be named the winner.

She cast a glance toward Carl. He met her eyes briefly before turning away with an expression of cold disdain.

She didn't care what he thought. She'd achieved exactly what she wanted.

His opinion of her meant nothing.

In truth, his displeasure towards her was valid.

The spotlight meant for him was now on her. She'd taken credit for his work, and for that, of course, he resented her.

The audience leaned forward, anticipation buzzing through the air. This wasn't just a title.

The champion would become the chief designer for Pearson Group's new project and be hailed as a rising star in the art world. Soon, their name would be known across the country.

Davin's voice rang out. "The outstanding winner of today's competition is..."

Leyla's heart thrummed with excitement. She straightened, already imagining the applause, the flood of congratulations, and Jeffry's proud words.

She didn't expect what came next. "Carl Murray!"

For a second, Leyla's smile stayed, frozen in place-until the meaning sank in. Carl Murray? Her stomach dropped. No, that couldn't be right. It couldn't be. There had to be a mistake. According to their agreement,Carl should've pulled out of the competition long ago.

Beside her, Hector frowned. "Leyla, why isn't the champion-"

He didn't finish. Leyla was already moving, her heels striking the floor in sharp, deliberate beats as she closed the distance to Carl.

Carl was still speaking with Eliana when movement caught his eye. He stopped mid-sentence, his gaze shifting to Leyla as she strode toward them, her expression stormy. "Is there something you need?" he asked evenly.

"Something I need?" Leyla's laugh was bitter, almost mocking. "Don't play dumb with me. You know exactly why I'm here. You promised me! How could you go back on your word?"

Eliana blinked, glancing between them. "Carl... what did you promise her?"

Carl gave a light shrug. "Leyla, I did promise you. But l'also promised Lia I'd win a championship for her. And she asked first-"

"You lied to me!" Leyla's voice cracked with fury as she lifted her hand to slap him.

But before her palm could connect, Eliana's fingers closed around her wrist like a vice. "Everyone has a limit," Eliana said coldly. "How dare you try to hit my brother in front of me?"

"You bitch!" Leyla spat. "I should hit you too! This is all your fault-everything!" She tried to wrench her wrist free, but Eliana's grip didn't budge.

Leyla's other hand shot up,but Eliana was quicker. She shoved Leyla back hard.

Unprepared,Leyla staggered backward.Hector appeared just in time to catch her.

"Hector..." Her voice trembled, tears welling up and spilling down her cheeks.

Hector's jaw tightened. Nearly two years together, and seeing her so "wronged" pricked something in him.He steadied her, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat.

Then he turned to glare at Eliana. He said sharply, "Everyone deserves respect, no matter their position.How can you bully Leyla like this?"

He'd only seen Eliana shove Leyla and missed her attempts to strike first.

Eliana snorted, her tone laced with contempt."|diiot. Protecting an ungrateful traitor."

Hector's face darkened."You-"

Before he could finish, Davin's voice boomed through the speakers. "In addition to announcing the final champion, we have another matter to address. Effective immediately-Leyla Murray is permanently disqualified from The Infinite and banned from all official oil painting competitions."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Leyla froze, her blood draining from her face.

"Why?" Hector was the first to speak, his voice ringing with outrage. "What could she possibly have done to deserve that?"

Leyla's hand clung desperately to his sleeve. "Hector... just let it go..."

"Let it go? No. You might stay silent, but I won't stand by while you're bullied."

"Hector, please..." she pleaded.

But Davin's voice cut through again, colder this time. "Since you insist on knowing, I'll tell you. The painting Leyla submitted in this competition has been proven to be a direct copy of Carl Murray's work. And not only this time-her winning piece in the last competition was alsoplagiarized from Carl. If you doubt me, look at the screen."

The big screen lit up, showing Carl's originals alongside Leyla's submissions.

The resemblance was undeniable-identical in composition and detail, the only difference being Carl's superior technique and more natural brushwork.

Hector stared at the screen, shock flashing in his eyes. Then he turned sharply to Leyla."Your paintings...you copied them from your brother?"