Part 3The Artist's Revenge

Caleb was completely confused, scrambling to pick up the drawing paper on the ground to examine it closely.

But after looking for a long time, he couldn't see the problem, so he could only look to the Dean for help.

The Dean signaled the staff to project the painting onto the big screen.

At first, the students in the audience were as confused as Caleb:

"Isn't this painting pretty good?"

"The composition and colors are very professional!"

Seeing that no one could spot the flaw, Layla grew bolder.

Red-eyed, she said to the Dean: "Dean, let's put aside my sister slandering me for now."

"But this painting was indeed created by me on the spot. Every stroke is my heart's blood."

I looked at the professors on the judges' bench with solemn expressions and reminded softly: "What the Dean wants to ask is not about painting skills."

"But the creation time of this painting."

Layla glared at me viciously, turned her head and vowed: "Of course it's an on-site creation! The topic was just given by the Dean, how could I prepare in advance?"

The Chair of the Art Department pushed his glasses and asked in a deep voice: "Are you sure it's an on-site original?"

Layla nodded decisively: "Absolutely true! Including my painting 'Spring Day', it was also created on site. Many classmates can testify for me!"

Just then, the Dean took out a portfolio from his briefcase and slammed it on the exhibition stand.

"What a coincidence!"

"Your 'on-site creation' has the exact same composition as last year's International Youth Art Exhibition winning work 'Rite of Spring'!"

"Even the color matching is exactly the same!"

Layla's face instantly turned pale. Of course she recognized that portfolio.

It was the collection she stole from my room.

Caleb stood far away and couldn't see the contents of the portfolio clearly.

Thinking Layla was scared, he hurriedly stood up to defend her: "Dean, artistic creation inevitably has similarities. This could be a coincidence."

"Coincidence?" The Dean sneered. "What's more coincidental is that the judge of that competition last year happened to be me!"

"Caleb, do you know what kind of liar you are defending?"

Caleb froze, looking at Layla in disbelief: "Layla, what is this?"

Layla shook her head in panic: "No, Caleb, listen to my explanation..."

I said: "Do I need to tell everyone why Layla knows these paintings?"

"Because last month she secretly sneaked into my dorm and took photos of all my works."

Layla retorted shrilly: "You're lying! Do you have evidence?"

My roommate suddenly raised her phone: "I can testify! I went back to the dorm to get something that day and took a picture of Layla rummaging through your desk."

The big screen immediately showed irrefutable evidence.

Layla was holding a phone, taking pictures of my portfolio.

The audience was in an uproar.

Caleb stood there dumbfounded as if struck by lightning.

Layla had collapsed on the floor, her carefully prepared dress stained with paint.

"There's more." I opened another file.

"About the baby swap case in the hospital eighteen years ago..."

At this moment, the judges' bench interrupted me.

"Wait, I have something to say."

Everyone's eyes focused on the judges' bench.

The Chair of the Art Department slowly stood up and pushed his glasses: "I can verify the facts stated by student Fiona."

"Last year, when the Dean and I served as judges for the International Youth Art Exhibition, we saw the original work of 'Rite of Spring'."

"At that time, the signature on the painting was indeed Fiona."

The scene erupted.

Layla's face was white as a sheet, lips trembling but unable to speak.

Caleb looked at the judge in disbelief: "This, this is impossible! Layla she!"

The Department Chair interrupted him coldly: "Even more ridiculous is that student Layla's so-called 'on-site creation' painting has the exact same brushstrokes and details as the original."

"This is no coincidence, but a blatant copy!"

Layla finally broke down crying: "No! I just, just wanted to win too much."

She suddenly turned to Caleb, grabbing his arm: "Caleb, believe me! I did this to go to Harvard with you!"

Caleb shook off her hand as if burned, voice trembling: "So you've been lying to me all along?"

"Genius painter, guaranteed admission qualification, all fake?"

Just then, my phone chimed.

I tapped the screen, corners of my mouth raising slightly: "Thank you, Chair, for being my witness."

"Just in time, the DNA test results are out."

The big screen displayed the test report:

"DNA comparison confirms biological parent-child relationship between Sample A Layla and Sample B Nanny Liu Qiuhua."

I looked calmly at Layla paralyzed on the ground: "Now, do you still want to argue?"

Layla looked like death, but still struggling: "Sister, I know I was wrong! Please forgive me."

"We lived together for a while after all!"

Caleb suddenly rushed to me, tone urgent: "Fiona, Layla knows she's wrong, just forgive her."

"As long as you're willing, I, I can pursue you again!"

I sneered: "Caleb, do you think I still care about your choice?"

"Now, it's time to settle another account."

I turned to the Dean: "I have submitted all evidence regarding Layla's mother swapping babies in the hospital eighteen years ago to the police."

Just then, the auditorium doors were pushed open, and two police officers walked in:

"Student Layla, please cooperate with us in investigating a baby abduction case from eighteen years ago."

The hall went silent.

Caleb stood dumbstruck, while Layla had collapsed on the floor, unable to utter another word.