The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 66: Chapter 66

Keith carried a bag of fresh fruits and stepped inside. Seeing Keith return, Serena quickly stood up to greet him. "Hi, I picked up a little gift on my way here for Alyssa."
"You just dropped by?" Keith handed the fruits to the maid and then sat down beside the sofa.
Serena looked up and happened to meet Keith's gaze.
She shifted her eyes awkwardly and then said, "Actually, I came to thank you for what happened last time. I didn't know how else to express it, so I thought I'd buy Alyssa a small gift. Hope she likes it."
Keith looked at Serena sincerely and waved his hand. "You've helped me so many times. I should be the one thanking you."
His expression turned serious, and he continued, "Oh right, there's something I need to tell you."
Serena asked curiously, "What is it?"
Keith hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "I have to take Alyssa back to our home country in a few days."
"Going home?" Serena was slightly taken aback, then said, "But you two—"
He replied, "The environment and treatment here haven't helped Alyssa much. The doctor suggested we go back to find a more suitable environment and resources for her."
Serena lowered her head, and the smile on her face froze slightly. "That's good then. As long as it's good for Alyssa, going back is the best choice."
Serena sat in a taxi, gazing out the window at the streets outside. She looked down at the last text message Keith had sent her on her phone.
Keith: [Thank you for coming to see Alyssa today. She was very happy.] These simple words, Serena read for a long time.
She pressed her lips together and didn't reply. Then she put away her phone and quietly leaned against the backseat of the car.
The car stopped downstairs at her apartment. Serena paid the fare, grabbed her bag, and quickly stepped into the building.
In the dead of night, she tossed and turned in bed but couldn't fall asleep. Her mind kept replaying Alyssa's small smile while holding a painting board, and Keith's eyes looking at her.
"Stop thinking," she patted her face, forcing herself to close her eyes.
Early the next morning, Serena arrived at the company on time, neatly bound the design draft she had stayed up late to finish, and handed it in.
The office was filled with the hustle and bustle of work. She quietly returned to her seat and started working. But just as she sat down, a harsh voice came from behind her.
Stacey held a document in her hand and said scornfully, "Serena, are you sure this design draft is your own original work?"
Serena slightly furrowed her brows and turned to look at her. "Is there a problem?"
"There are a whole lot of problems," Stacey sneered, then turned her phone screen toward their colleagues. "Everyone, come look! The design she submitted yesterday is exactly the same style as this designer online. This is clearly plagiarism."
Serena stood up and looked at the phone screen. The design drawing was so familiar that she was stunned for a few seconds. Those were all her own designs. She had posted them years ago using a domestic account under the online name Siren.
Serena said, "Ms. Mosher, on what basis do you say my work is plagiarized?"
Colleagues around immediately gathered some whispering, some casting suspicious glances.
"Those works are too similar. Can't Serena really be plagiarizing?"
"I don't think so. Serena's designs always have their own style. She shouldn't be plagiarizing."
"How do you know her style isn't copied? Look at the composition, color scheme, brushstrokes—they're almost identical to this designer's work."
Stacey pointed at the phone screen and said sharply, "Serena, what else do you have to say?"
Max walked out of the office slowly. He looked at Stacey and Serena but didn't rush to interrupt their argument.
Seeing Max come out, Stacey quickly walked up to him and handed over her phone. "Max, look, Serena's design draft is suspected of plagiarism. Her work is almost identical to a designer named Siren online."
Serena quietly watched Stacey's eager look and found her ridiculous. This frame-up was too clumsy. Stacey didn't even notice the obvious connection between Siren and Serena.
She stared at Stacey coldly and said, "These designs are my works from years ago. Siren is my account."
As soon as the words fell, the scene fell silent. After a moment, Stacey sneered, "Your works? Don't be ridiculous."
Serena didn't want to waste more time. She walked to her computer, calmly entered the account and password, and opened Siren's personal homepage. "Take a good look," she said.
She turned the screen toward everyone. The account contained all of Serena's previous design works. The evidence was conclusive.
The atmosphere froze for a few seconds. Stacey's expression began to twist. She leaned closer to the screen, stared stiffly at it for a long time, then stammered, "This... this can't be."
Serena gave her a cold glance, scrolled the account page to the earliest work date, and then said, "What else do you need me to prove? Siren is my personal account, all these design drafts are my original work."
She continued, "There's no way this is plagiarism. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. But please don't slander me like this anymore."
Her tone was neither light nor heavy, but it silenced all the surrounding whispers. Everyone stared at this scene in astonishment.
"So Siren is actually Serena. I always thought Serena was just an ordinary designer."
"No wonder her style is so mature. She was already famous. Stacey must be embarrassed now."
"Serena's designs have always had their own style. Stacey really made a fool of herself this time."
"Who would have thought Serena was so low-key? She never mentioned Siren before."
"Stacey used to keep saying Serena's designs were bad and targeted her everywhere. Shame on her."
Max stepped forward, carefully examined Serena's account and designs, and then said, "Serena, these design drafts indeed show a very high level. Honestly, your talent deserves a bigger stage."
Serena said, "Thank you for your recognition."
Stacey was speechless, only able to clench her fists.
He said, "Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, don't be too bothered by colleagues' gossip."
Max motioned for everyone to disperse, then looked at Stacey and said seriously, "Stacey, remember to do thorough research before speaking next time. Don't let such absurd things happen again. I hope you can sincerely apologize to Serena."
Under Max's stern gaze, Stacey lowered her head and reluctantly mumbled an apology to Serena.
Serena didn't show any emotion at this belated apology. She just nodded and said, "It's okay. I hope this doesn't happen again."
Seeing Stacey apologize, Max relaxed a bit and emphasized again, "This matter is settled. We're all colleagues; we should respect each other and avoid similar incidents in the future."
Stacey bit her lower lip, glared at Serena unwillingly, and said, "Fine, I got it."
The people around returned to their seats uninterested, but many secretly cast glances at Serena. After sitting down, Serena opened a new file and started working.