Chapter 96

William caught her just in time.

"William, I didn't do it!" Victoria's eyes were red, tears welling up and threatening to spill over.

"I know you wouldn't," William reassured her softly.

Victoria bit her lip, looking into his deep eyes. Her nose tingled, and she almost started crying.

She couldn't understand why this was happening.

Suddenly, she remembered her Instagram account where she documented her painting process. That could prove that she was the true artist, and Bobby was the thief.

With trembling hands, she grabbed the microphone and, holding back her sobs, said, "Judges, guests, I painted these pieces myself. Bobby is lying. I have proof!"

Everyone was stunned and turned to look at Bobby.

Bobby, however, remained unfazed. He smirked and said mockingly, "Proof? What proof could you possibly have? Victoria, just admit it and apologize. Otherwise, not only will your reputation be ruined, but you'll also drag Mr. Thomas down with you."

"Enough, shut up!" Victoria's eyes were bloodshot as she glared at Bobby.

She turned her head, scanning the room, and choked out, "I always document my painting process on Instagram. These records can prove that I painted these."

Victoria finished speaking and took out her phone, ready to log into her Instagram to clear her name.

However, when she tried to log in, the system notified her that her account had been frozen.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. She logged out and tried again, but it still didn't work.

"How could this happen?" she murmured, "Why is this happening?"

Bobby sneered, "Victoria, stop acting. Just admit your mistake and apologize!"

Victoria whipped around, her eyes blazing, "It was you! You did this!"

"Victoria, what nonsense are you spouting now? How could a poor student like me get your account banned?" Bobby retorted sarcastically.

By now, the audience was tired of Victoria's defense and started shouting for her to apologize and leave.

Seeing that Victoria had become the target of everyone's anger, William quickly escorted her off the stage.

As they reached the bottom of the stage, Alice suddenly appeared, blocking their way.

Alice looked at Victoria with disdain and sneered, "I didn't expect you to be so shameless! How could you steal your own brother's work and enter it into the competition?"

"I didn't!" Victoria clenched her fists, struggling to control her emotions.

Alice curled her lip in contempt, "It's bad enough that you're embarrassing yourself, but do you have to drag William down with you?"

William wanted to say something, but Alice cut him off, "William, don't forget, I'm your girlfriend. If you take Victoria away in front of everyone, do you want her to be humiliated even more?"

William frowned at her words.

He looked around at the crowd, who were filled with disgust for Victoria, and at the media, who were constantly filming. After a moment of hesitation, he let go of Victoria's arm and stepped aside.

Victoria stared at him in shock, her eyes red, tears glistening on her lashes, ready to fall at any moment.

"Aren't you going to leave?" Alice snorted.

Victoria clutched her dress tightly, suppressing her overwhelming sense of injustice, and ran out of the venue.

Watching Victoria's panicked retreat, Alice twisted her face into a sinister smile.

William watched her leave, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

His gaze swept over Alice, who was gloating, and a trace of annoyance crossed his brow. He turned indifferently and walked out of the venue.

Victoria had just run out of the venue when she was surrounded by reporters.

"Ms. Carter, did you really steal Bobby's work?"

"Did you win the gold medal by cheating?"

"Don't you think you're tarnishing your teacher's reputation by doing this?"

The reporters' aggressive questions bombarded Victoria's ears. She covered her ears and ran desperately.

The reporters chased her relentlessly, following her to the elevator.

"Ms. Carter, please answer our questions!"

The reporters were persistent, continuously asking questions.

Victoria, with red-rimmed eyes, tried to avoid their cameras, but the more she dodged, the sharper their questions became.

She finally broke free and ran to the roadside, hoping to catch a cab.

A van suddenly swerved in front of her.

The door opened, and seven or eight people, including an elderly man and a few teenagers, got out.

Seeing Victoria, they rushed over and started attacking her.

"That damn Alvin! This is his daughter!"

"Is your father even human? His bridge design collapsed, killing so many people! Those workers' and managers' families are ruined!"

"Everyone, look! This is Alvin's daughter!"

Victoria's hair was disheveled, her clothes being pulled by several hands. She bit her lip, protecting herself as best as she could.

"Hit her! Hit her!"

"Alvin's daughter must be just as bad! She must be involved in those shady dealings!"

"Look at her! She must be a loose woman! Her father is a murderer, and she's a disgrace!"

More and more people gathered, whispering.

The media, who had been chasing Victoria, swarmed over like flies to a carcass, their cameras flashing incessantly.

The name "Alvin" reminded many of the catastrophic bridge collapse.

Due to a design flaw, the bridge had collapsed during construction, burying many workers and managers, ending their lives in an instant.

Some onlookers, unable to bear seeing a young woman being bullied, wanted to help but were stopped by their companions.

This was something they couldn't get involved in.

If they intervened, they would become targets themselves.

After all, the disaster Alvin caused was too severe, and these families needed an outlet for their anger.

Being Alvin's daughter seemed like an inescapable sin.

Victoria's face was bruised and swollen, her lips bleeding, tears streaming down her face.

She didn't fight back, curling up and silently enduring the pain.

Suddenly, a coat was thrown over her head, and she was pulled into a warm embrace.