The head judge froze mid-sentence, his face turning pale as he listened to Victoria's hurried whisper. His hands shook slightly, nearly dropping the golden trophy onto the wooden stage floor.

He cleared his throat, pulling his glasses off to look at Evelyn with sudden, sharp suspicion. The crowd grew dead silent, sensing the sudden change in the air.

"There has been a serious issue raised," the head judge spoke into the main microphone, his voice echoing loudly across the grand hall. "We cannot declare a winner at this moment. Evelyn Vance is officially accused of stealing her concept design from a registered international copyright."

A massive gasp broke out among...