Lola George raised her head from her phone and she locked eyes with Mr Larry of the Moonlight Art and painting world. She shivered and she stuttered "Mr Larry...why..are you gazing at my phone....I mean why are you so close...I.." she paused and kept her phone away.
Mr Larry just stared at her and asked "You were the person that Selen submitted her work to, and you signed on it before it was submitted to the screening committee of this contest, right?"
"Yes...why are you asking me? I am not the one who asked her to plagiarise and when I knew she was going to be disqualified, I resigned from your company. Don’t ask me questions that don’t concern..."
She was blabbering when Mr Larry interrupted her "Looks like I have answers to my questions without having to ask you. And I remembered it’s 48 hours ago you submitted your resignation and the disqualifying email got in two hours before the contest began.
It pleases me, that you know ahead of time, that she was going to be disqualified despite being the one who submitted it. Thank you Lola George, we’ll have a deeper discussion on this later" Mr Larry snorted and chuckled.
Now, he knows where everything went wrong. The explanation to how Selen’s work was suddenly disqualified has been outlined and it sourced from Lola George. He can’t believe she bites the fingers that fed her.
He knew how much she despised Selen’s work and even stole her draft and painting, erasing her name and putting hers and Selen would be quiet. He didn’t interfere all along because the one concerned is not bothered so why should he?
Now, he blamed himself for turning a blind eye to all the cheating Selen had endured in the past. She’d endure injustice without fighting back. But this time, they will fight it to the end.
He chuckled aloud and turned around to leave "Listen to me Mr Larry, you’re thinking too much on what I said. I meant no ill for Selen and the company when I left..." She was explaining but the man had walked away.
Lola George sighed softly. Her palms became sweaty. Who said she should speak so much? She hoped Mr Larry wouldn’t blow up her covers? What will she do now?
They didn’t expect that a chance would be offered to the Moonlight Art and painting world, otherwise, they would have prepared an alternative chance in defence in case something like this happens.
Her throat suddenly became very dry and she stood up to excuse herself. But instead of using the exit door, she was going in the direction where the paintings were kept, until a member of the protocol stopped her.
"Miss George, what do you want?"
That question was like a brain resetting button as Lola George squinted and realised she was going in the wrong direction. Oh goodness fuck, what has Larry done to her that she’s now experiencing a brain fog?
She forced a smile and said "Oh, I guess I’m sleep walking" and turned around, going back in the direction she came. What on earth is she going to do now? It will soon be time for the competition to begin.
Her only hope is that Miss Jason Rose, receives her message and acts cautiously.
Meanwhile, Mr Larry called Mrs Kara and told her that she doesn’t need to investigate far, she should streamline her investigation on Lola George, who resigned a few days ago. She was the one that Selen submitted her painting to.
"This confirms my suspicion. I’ll find out evidence to prove Selen was not in the wrong" Mrs Kara responded. After Selen’s words earlier, she was reasoning too, and decided to check the chain of submission. None of it appears fishy except during the time it was with Lola George.
The contest began in earnest and from the first artist, she brought her painting and explained the concept behind it. The audience applauded and she stood by her painting, showcasing it.
The next artist came and it continued and Miss Jason Rose was the seventh person. When she was called, her heart beat hard against her ribcage. Selen would recognise the painting and she might want to challenge her.
She shivered and her complexion paled as she mounted the podium. She forced a smile and waved her hand. Everyone stood up, Jason Rose is a model with thousands of fans across the country and outside.
The auditorium rang with applause and a shout out to her. She smiled with fragility and appreciated everyone. Her name is recognised in the art world and she’d won awards severally and internationally.
She avoided gazing in the direction that Selen was seated. If that woman remained calm, she would help her career soar since she’s a talented artist like Lola George told her. She shouldn’t blow her covers.
Selen Williams smiled. She’d heard about Jason Rose and she had secretly admitted her as her idol. One day, she wished she would grow in this career and become like her. After the contest is over, she’ll ask her for an autograph.
But none of the things happening meant anything to Mr Larry. The committee had made it known that Selen plagiarized the painting of one of the artists and she was disqualified. It only means, the artist was among the numbers 1-9 present and Selen is number 10.
Six artists have showcased their works and none of it has a resemblance to Selen’s submission. His gaze is fixed on the next three contestants before Selen. One of them must possess the identical painting of Selen’s initial submission.
When Miss Jason Rose was called, he didn’t pay attention to her. She’s a world recognised artist and has won many awards. She can’t be the one. He sets his gaze on the two artists, still waiting to be called when suddenly, he heard Selen’s yelled from behind:
"That painting is mine!"
And without waiting to be called, Selen marched forward and Mr Larry stood up quickly and glanced in the direction of the podium and his breath hitched.
What?
That was Selen’s work, it’s her painting!
The auditorium went deadly silent.
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