Chapter 156: Onyxs brows furrowed in frustration.
Where had this bold, unsophisticated young man come from, and how dared he challenge him so openly? Narrowing his eyes, Onyx leaned toward the security guard and whispered, Why havent you removed the troublemaker yet? Before the security guard could react, the media, acting on Allisons unseen instructions, surged past the barriers.
Cameras flashed, and microphones were thrust into Onyxs face.
Hes right, Mr.
Jimenez! one reporter called out.
Prove your innocence by sketching something right here, right now! Exactly! chimed another.
Many of your fans came to this signing hoping to see you draw live.
Surely, you wont mind showcasing your talent to silence these doubters.
The crowd, now fully energized, began cheering.
Even the fans seemed eager to witness the artist prove his worth.
Yeah, Onyx! Show those haters what youre made of! Draw something and end this! Garry, usually shy and far more comfortable blending into the background, felt a wave of anxiety sweep over him as the crowds excitement built.
His legs trembled slightly, but he mustered his courage and stepped forward.
My mentor is the real creator of this comic.
Onyx stole her discarded drafts and falsely claimed them as his own.
If youre truly innocent, Onyx, then accept my challenge prove it.
Artistry, Garry knew, wasnt just about talent.
It demanded relentless practice a truth Onyx clearly hadnt embraced.
Garry had noticed the absence of calluses on Onyxs hands; they hadnt spent years honing their craft.
The sheer injustice of it gnawed at him.
How could a man, a plagiarist no less, bask in fame? The thought fanned the flames of Garrys indignation.
Hidden in his ear, Allisons voice guided him, urging him forward.
Mr.
Stevens, care to explain why the media you invited… Onyx, flustered and flushed, glanced sideways at Colton, barely masking his frustration as reporters pressed in with their microphones.
He looked at Colton, his expression furrowed.
Colton hadnt anticipated this mess.
Just moments ago, he and Melany had silently agreed to play along, taking credit for the media turnout and pretending it was a victory for the Stevens Group.
Now, it was backfiring spectacularly.
Trying to salvage the situation, Colton straightened up, forcing a confident smile.
Everyone, please, dont buy into these baseless accusations.
I stand behind Onyx as CEO of the Stevens Group.
The other side? Nothing but lies spun by a vain woman desperate for attention.
Of course, theyd resort to these kinds of tactics.
Sensing an opportunity, Melany turned to Garry with a saccharine smile and said, I know the mentor youre talking about.
Shes quite pretty, right? Wasnt she the one in the bustier top today? Garrys stunned expression told her shed hit the mark.
Shes been divorced, hasnt she? Recently got tangled up with someone… Melany paused, as if shed said too much, blinking innocently to cover her slip.
Young man, I understand if youre fond of her.
But surely, thats no reason to tarnish Onyxs reputation with false claims.
Garrys face turned red with anger.
You! Youre twisting things! Im only standing up for whats right.
My relationship with my teacher is strictly professional! Colton, overhearing Melanys dig, fumed silently.novelbin
Allison.
Always with Allison.
How did she always manage to pull different men into her web of defenders? How is a woman whos been left behind even worth this kind of devotion? Colton muttered coldly, his eyes forward.
Then, turning back, he addressed Onyx, Well, Onyx, go ahead.
Show them.
Draw something and shut these people up.
Lets see what they say after that.
Onyxs throat went dry.
He stared at Colton, wishing he could throttle him.
How could anyone be this dense? Melany, sensing Onyxs rising panic, quickly intervened.
Onyx doesnt perform well in front of crowds.
He prefers the solitude of his studio.
Some people are just looking for excuses to slander him.
Garry frowned, but Allisons calm voice in his earpiece steadied him.
He repeated her words, loud and clear: Alright then, Onyx, why dont you tell us the theme of the thirtieth page of the comic? Onyxs heart sank.
The thirtieth page… He wracked his brain, but he had no idea.
He had pieced together discarded sketches, not bothering to pay much attention to the details.
Distracted by the influx of cash from the comics success, the specifics had slipped from his mind entirely.
Onyx glanced at his phone and blurted out the first thing that came to him.
Of course, its about romantic love.
Garry, now emboldened, smirked and locked eyes with Onyx.
Romantic love? Sure, thats the title, but the background of that scene is an homage to The Nature of Time.
Loves just a metaphor here.
The real theme is friendship.
The topaz gemstone in the first scene represents that.
Its all about celebrating friendship.
Garrys voice quivered, his eyes wet with emotion.
Even he knew the pages deeper meaning.
Yet this fraud stood here, basking in the limelight of stolen work.
If you were the original creator, how could you get the core theme so wrong? Are you trying to take everyone here for fools? .
.
.