Effie had considered The Etheridge Group before-apany everyone in the industry dreamed of joining.


    But now that she was married to Lyman, she''d hesitated.


    Still, hearing Lyman encourage her now, she couldn''t help but feel a surge of excitement.


    The Etheridge Group wasn''t just a big corporation; their jewelry design branch was an industry leader. Landing a position there would be a dreame true. Taking a deep breath, Effie''s eyes shed with determination.


    Lyman was right. If she truly had the talent, why shouldn''t she go for it? After all, that jewelry designpany had always been her ultimate goal.


    She owed it to herself to try.


    "You''re right. I should go for it." Effie lifted her head, meeting Lyman''s gaze with resolve. "I''ll apply through the normal channels and rely on my own abilities."


    A small, approving smile yed on Lyman''s lips.


    He believed in her he knew she would shine at The Etheridge Group.


    He squeezed her shoulder gently, his voice both warm and firm. "Go for it. I''ll be right behind you."


    Effie nodded, a mix of anticipation and nerves fluttering in her chest.


    But before she could even submit her application, the inte exploded with a shocking scandal.


    Breaking News: Two Identical Entries Discovered at National Jewelry Competition!


    That''s right-two different designers had submitted identical works.


    The judges were furious. "giarism is disgraceful," one dered. "We will investigate thoroughly. Anyone caught stealing designs has no ce in this industry. We must keep our field pure."


    The story spread like wildfire, shared across social media and racking up views until it shot straight to the trending list.


    People were outraged, flooding thements with insults:


    "giarists don''t belong in design!"


    "Anyone who copies is a disgrace to the profession."


    "Entering a stolen design-how desperate can you be for an award?"


    The furor wouldn''t die down. Soon, online sleuths had dug up the names of both designers involved.


    Effie from E&M Group. And Suzan.


    The inte erupted.


    Both from the samepany-which one had copied whom?


    Effie was usually private, rarelypeting and keeping out of the spotlight, so most people didn''t even recognize her name.


    Suzan, on the other hand, loved attention. She was always posting her jewelry creations online, and everyone assumed she was the expert.


    So, predictably, public outrage turned on Effie.


    usations flooded in, calling her a fraud.


    Effie saw the news as soon as it broke.


    Now, she was just waiting for things to unfold.


    Nita, her friend, called immediately, frantic.


    She knew Effie would never steal someone else''s work.


    It had to be Suzan-that backstabbing snake-who''d stolen from Effie.


    Unbelievable.


    But Suzan was cunning and ruthless; Nita worried Effie wouldn''t stand a chance against her.


    "Effie, did you see the news? It''s everywhere!"


    "I did. Don''t worry, I''m fine," Effie replied, calm and unsurprised.


    She sat on the couch, scrolling through the hatefulments, her expression unruffled as if none of it was directed at her.


    Meanwhile, Suzan had seen the news too. Her heart skipped a beat, panic flickering in her chest.


    She hadn''t expected Effie topete after all.


    But so what? Suzan had entered first-and she had proof. When the time came, they''d see who really came out on top.