These were all far from what Liu Ruoyan was expecting to happen. Her mind went blank as the people below the stage started pulling their phones to check what was happening. She had no idea that all those young amateur designers she conned in the past had decided to join forces and sue her in a class suit. Even some people who used to work in her company had filed harassment charges against her.

  Just what had happened?!

  The people below the stage finally understood what was going on after reading the trending news within social media about Liu Ruoyan's dark secrets.

  Behind her, Xing Yiyue's face turned green, wanting to pull Liu Ruoyan's hair for even daring to ruin her chances to make a comeback. How was she supposed to face everyone now after parading in front of everyone in a dress that Liu Ruoyan might have stolen from another person?

  Liu Ruoyan was the one who kept nagging her not to make a scene. Who would have thought that she would be the one doing it herself? If she had known something like this would happen, she wouldn't have volunteered as a model for Liu Ruoyan tonight.

  "Urgh, I'm having secondhand shame for her. The trophy just flew right from her hands and went straight to Miss Li."

  "Stealing and deceiving young designers— Liu Ruoyan is really shameless!"

  "A person like her is too full of herself. Did she really think that just because she's a Liu, she could just bully another person and steal their belongings? Someone really needs to remind her of reality."

  "I heard it wasn't the first time she'd done it. Apparently, she stole her subordinates' works, altered them a little, and used them in competitions."

  As the talks about her continued, Liu Ruoyan turned to look at Li Meili, glaring at her furiously.

  "Was it you? Did you do something behind the scenes and ruined my name in public?!" she screamed hysterically and lunged to hit Li Meili. But Luo Qingqing pushed the latter behind in time and ended up being slapped by Liu Ruoyan instead.

  Li Meili was too shocked by what just happened and looked at the red mark that was left on Luo Qingqing's face.

  "Liu Ruoyan!" Li Meili glared back at the other woman. "The only person who destroyed you is yourself. Don't blame your downfall on other people because you were the one who did it. Don't humiliate yourself any further. It's disgusting."

  Liu Ruoyan laughed as the staff came up and pulled her away from Li Meili and Luo Qingqing.

  "I underestimated you, Li Meili," she said through gritted teeth. "I should have known that you won't stand still and watch me win! I didn't know you wanted this award so badly."

  Li Meili scoffed at that. "I hate to disappoint you but you have nothing that interests me. Weren't you the one who likes to covet other people's possession? Do you think I am blind? You can't even stop yourself from ogling my husband the moment we arrived. I think something is really wrong with you, Miss Liu."

  All those within earshot looked at Liu Ruoyan in disgust. Was she really staring shamelessly at another woman's husband? How daring! Compared to Li Meili who looked elegant and dignified, Liu Ruoyan's rash behavior was really a turn-off.

  Liu Ruoyan felt like a clown, being humiliated like this in public of all places. She had already told everyone that she would win tonight. But who would have thought that even before she could get her hands on the trophy, it was snatched away and got slapped in the face with legal cases instead.

  She had spent most of her life playing tricks on other people— stealing things that didn't belong to her. But due to the power behind her, she was always able to get away with it. She had never thought that in the end she would be left empty-handed. There was no doubt that her family would not be able to save her this time.

  Within the fashion industry, offending a senior was taboo. Not only did Liu Ruoyan steal from other designers, but she also disrespected the male presenter who could be considered as their senior. This scandal tainted the prestige of the competition as well. There was no more leeway for this.

  As if Zhang Jiren could sense that he was being talked about, he turned his attention back to his wife on the stage. He narrowed his eyes slightly when he saw the redness on Luo Qingqing's cheek. He didn't need half a brain to know that Liu Ruoyan dared to hit his beloved wife but the actress had somehow managed to stop Liu Ruoyan from doing it.

  The ceremony was forced to be stopped for half an hour as the staff dragged Liu Ruoyan away. It was only after the committee deemed that everything was fine did the event resume with the same male presenter taking the stage once more.

  "We were sorry that you have to witness such a scene," he started. "The committee promised that this wouldn't be the end of it and we will update everyone once our investigation is over. For now, please let's congratulate this year's champion, The Black Nightingale." He stretched an arm towards Li Meili who had already returned to her seat next to her husband.

  Li Meili stood up and gave everyone a polite bow before joining the presenter up the stage. When she heard earlier that Liu Ruoyan won, she accepted her loss wholeheartedly. So the sudden turn of events where the committee disqualified and blacklisted Liu Ruoyan was unexpected.

  As she approached the microphone to give her speech, she suddenly felt herself at a loss for words. She glanced towards the direction where she knew where Tang Moyu was seated, and then to her ever-supportive husband who never got tired of her cranky attitude for the past months since she started working on her dress.