Chapter 85
Reese was taken aback and looked surprised as James walked over, his purple earrings glinting in the sunlight. He stood right next to Reese.
Alexa frowned, her gaze somewhat confused. “Who are you?”
James smiled slyly and adopted a challenging tone, “I’m just a concerned citizen here to observe. Any problem with that?”
Alexa shook her head.
James took a step forward, raising his voice disdainfully, “Alexa, don’t act pitiful in front of the reporters. Haven’t you had enough of this fake suicide act?”
Alexa instinctively took a step back, feeling lost. “I haven’t.”
James looked at her with a mocking expression, “If I killed you and apologized to your lifeless body, would you forgive me then?”
Alexa widened her eyes, looking pitiful, “How could you say that?”
James shrugged nonchalantly, “But that’s exactly what you did, isn’t it? You know, not everyone who does something wrong deserves forgiveness.”
“When you forced Reese into a corner, did you apologize to her? When you plagiarized her work for two years, did you apologize to her? When you faked your suicide, causing millions of people online to slander Reese, did you apologize to het? Now you’re pretending to be pitiful, but it’s too late.”
James’s words acted like a wake–up call for everyone present.
Indeed, Alexa had done so many despicable things, and now she expected Reese to forgive her with a simple apology and win sympathy from the media. They realized how foolish they had been to be fooled by this act.
Some journalists even started whispering to each other.
“After doing something like this, she still has the nerve to ask for Reese’s forgiveness.”
“Yeah, she’s just putting on a show in front of us, right, Mr. Roberts?”
“If she really wanted Reese’s forgiveness, she wouldn’t have pressured her in front of everyone before the
trial.”
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Chapter 84
Alexa heard these words loud and clear and could see the contempt in their eyes.
Ricardo knew that James’s appearance had foiled his plan, so he immediately protected Alexa and walked toward the courthouse.
Reese glanced at James and said, “Thank you.”
James chuckled, “Ah, Lia, what’s our relationship? Don’t be so polite. I genuinely admire your abilities and can’t stand that Alexa.”
Reese, who was feeling grateful, changed her mind after hearing his flippant tone and turned to leave.
James quickly caught up, “Don’t be so unfriendly. After all, I just helped you.”
Reese remembered her promise to keep her distance from James after last night’s conversation with Lukas and kept her distance.
She remained expressionless, “I didn’t ask for your help.”
James raised an eyebrow, “Lia, if you say that, you would seem heartless.”
Martins arrived at the courthouse and saw James following Reese inside. His expression changed, and he immediately found a reporter to inquire about what had just happened. He then quickly informed Lukas that James had come to observe today’s plagiarism case.
The lawsuit, which had been highly publicized, actually lasted for less than two hours. Reese presented solid evidence, including original design drafts, handwriting analysis reports, audio recordings, and chat records, among other things. With the support from the public, Alexa was left defenseless.
In the end, the court ruled that Alexa’s plagiarism of Reese’s jewelry designs, totaling 21 pieces, severely
damaged Reese’s reputation.
The court ordered Alexa to immediately stop spreading Reese’s designs, issue a public apology, compensate her for economic losses amounting to 2 million, and pay reasonable expenses of 23,000. Alexa’s side was also ordered to stop the post–production and sale of Reese’s designs.
As soon as the court concluded the case, the media reporters quickly spread the verdict. Alexa was found
guilty of plagiarism and had to pay compensation and issue an apology, which instantly brought Reese
immense fame.
When Alexa left the courtroom, she glared at Reese with teary eyes.
Reese ignored her completely and left in large strides.
Ricardo, with an unpleasant expression, was about to catch up, but Martins blocked his path.
13:47
A Perfect Lie Hides Behind My Billionair
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Chapter 85
Martins clearly remembered how Ricardo had treated Reese before. He said sternly, “Mr. Roberts, please behave yourself and don’t provoke Mr. Strakovski into taking action against you.”
Ricardo’s expression changed repeatedly, but in the end, he didn’t pursue Reese and turned to find Alexa.
Seeing her father’s distressed look, Alexa whispered, “Dad, don’t worry. Although Sister married Lukas, he hasn’t done anything to you despite how you treated her. Moreover, Lukas hasn’t even acknowledged her identity, and he didn’t come to observe the case today. It shows that sister is insignificant to him. Don’t scare yourself.”
Hearing this, Ricardo nodded with a clouded expression.
James continued to follow Reese outside, “Lia, now that we won the case, how are you planning to thank
me?”
Reese didn’t want to get involved with him any further and said directly, “Even without you, we would
have won the case.”
James raised an eyebrow, “Lia, you can’t say that. Before the trial, I helped you regain some face in front of the media. You can’t be so ungrateful as a person.”
“Thank you then. Also, we’re not close, so don’t call me Lia.” Reese’s voice was cold and distant.
As she reached her car, she opened the door and was about to leave.
James stepped forward, grabbed her arm, and acted mischievously, “Lia, don’t be so distant. We should celebrate our victory, shouldn’t we?”
Reese frowned. She was about to shake off James’s hand when she suddenly found herself being forcefully pulled over and pressed against his chest.
Before she could free her arm from James’s grasp, a cold and icy voice sounded above her, “Stay away
from her.”
