Chapter21 The memory of being swarmed by reporters and bombarded with . questions that afternoon still left his chest tight with lingering fury . Never in his life had he felt so humiliated . Sylvia shot Nielsen a glance and immediately got his message . In the dim lighting , her face looked even paler and more pitiful . After finally stopping her sobs , she suddenly made up her mind and threw off the blanket . Belinda rushed to support her . " Sylvia ? " Sylvia got out of bed and bowed deeply to Braylon and Belinda . " Dad , Mom . " Dad , Mom , I messed up big time today . The public humiliation was totally my fault . I can't drag the Mosley family down with me . " " Vicente , " she continued , " are there still reporters outside ? " Vicente , who'd been lost in thought with his head down , took a moment to respond , " Yeah , a few are still there . " " Good . " A bitter smile crossed her pale face . " I'll go tell them that I'm not the real Mosley daughter , just some switched - at - birth fake . Once they've got their juicy story , they'll leave Dad and Cayden alone . " She spoke with unsettling calm , as if she'd completely given up on everything . As long as the Mosley family remained safe and unharmed , she was willing to do anything . Belinda covered her mouth , eyes reddening . " You silly girl ! Don't be foolish ! " Sylvia's expression deepened , though everyone could see how hard she was forcing her smile . She even comforted Belinda , " Mom , it's fine . I've messed up before . I'm used to taking criticism . This is nothing . Let them come at me . I can handle it . " " Sylvia … " Belinda squeezed her hand tightly . " If only you'd told us sooner those designs weren't yours , we could've protected you . " Sylvia spoke with a stuffy nose , slowly explaining her reasons for lying . " I knew Yesenia always resented my presence after she returned home . I took her place and have you guys all care about me . I understand she resents me . " I saw the sketchbook the other day , and Yesenia hid it from me . I knew I shouldn't have interfered , but Yesenia's designs were fire . She could shine in her field of expertise , and I wanted to help her . " Submitting to GeekFlux Group was my dumb idea . I thought if it got accepted , I could surprise Yesenia with the good news . She'd be stoked ! " But then Yesenia suddenly … left home . And the GeekFlux Group deal fell through . " Sylvia's voice caught in her throat . " I wanted to tell you that those designs were hers and that she had nailed their review , not me . " " But … " Tears welled up at just the right moment , her emotional . breakdown appearing completely genuine . " I couldn't say it . I wanted to help Yesenia and our family . I thought if I made it to the finals , I could beg their CEO not to cancel the deal . Then I'd reveal the truth and get Yesenia that designer position she deserved . " Sylvia was sobbing uncontrollably , her face buried in her hands . " I messed up big time . I didn't expect Yesenia to join the competition , too . And I never dreamed GeekFlux Group would use her exact design as their challenge … " Seeing Sylvia hunched over in silent tears , hearing how she'd tried to help both Yesenia and the Mosley family , how could anyone stay angry with her ? If anyone deserved blame , it was Ramiro . If he hadn't turned on them . none of this mess would have happened ! Belinda's lingering reservations melted away as motherly concern took over . " Enough now , " she soothed . " Let's not discuss this anymore . It wasn't your fault , and you don't need to take responsibility . " Braylon finally spoke up . " Your mother's right . You should rest . This was just an unfortunate misunderstanding . We know you meant well for the family . " His tone softened . " Besides , the Zimmerman family has already partnered with us . We'll develop the project GeekFlux Group rejected together , minimizing our losses . As for the plagiarism . accusations … they'll blow over soon . " His words effectively signaled that Sylvia's " embarrassment " to the Mosley family would be forgiven . Sylvia looked surprised . " The Zimmerman family ? " " Yes , " Belinda confirmed , patting Sylvia's hand . " They came to the company soon after you fainted . Cayden already signed contracts with them . " She added teasingly , " That Zimmerman boy was quite worried . about you . " A faint blush colored Sylvia's face . " Mom , we're just good friends . " " Of course , " Belinda smiled . " When you recover , invite your good . friend over . We should thank him properly for today . " Sylvia nodded . " Okay , I will . " She hesitated before asking timidly , " Did … Yesenia win first place ? " " Don't mention her . " Belinda's expression darkened at Yesenia's name . Braylon's face similarly turned gloomy again . The whole mess was Yesenia's fault . If she hadn't stirred up trouble and just stayed at home , none of this would've happened ! The online comments mocking Sylvia and the Mosley family while praising Yesenia dearly made their blood boil . They even mentioned that both shared the same last name , one bringing glory to the family while the other tarnishing the family's reputation . What did those keyboard warriors know ? Yesenia was the real jinx ! Vicente broke the tension . " No. GeekFlux Group announced the results . Yesenia withdrew . They took the third - place winner instead . " Surprise flashed across Sylvia's face while her nails dug painfully into her palms unseen . That bitch Yesenia ! After all that drama , she withdrew ? Was this just to humiliate her ? She cursed inwardly , " That bitch Yesenia ! After all that drama , she withdrew ? Was this just to humiliate me ? " A thought suddenly struck Sylvia . " Isn't it too convenient ? " she mused aloud . " The GeekFlux Group deal fell through right after Yesenia left home . And their challenge just happened to be that exact design ? And that Maybach Yesenia got into that day … Could Ramiro be … She left the sentence hanging , but the Mosleys weren't fools . They grasped her implication immediately . Braylon , with decades of business experience , understood Sylvia's insinuation at once . His eyes darkened but remained silent . Surprisingly , Vicente spoke up , " Sylvia , even if Yesenia and Ramiro are connected , they couldn't have forced you to submit that design . " Sylvia's breath caught as she stared at Vicente . For once , he wasn't backing her up . Instead , he was defending Yesenia . Her chest tightened with sudden dread . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!