plagiarism

Ashley's stepsister, Olivia, was a design prodigy. Every single time Ashley had a spark of inspiration, Olivia would somehow manage to publish it first. Ashley suspected foul play, but her boyfriend, Ethan, just scoffed. "Maybe you should consider that she's just more talented," he'd say, a frown creasing his forehead.

In her past life, Ashley, fueled by a burning desire to prove herself, worked day and night. It didn't matter. Olivia still managed to submit the exact same design, a day before her. Then, with a tearful face, Olivia played the victim on social media. "Please, Ashley, stop plagiarizing my work!" she pleaded. The ensuing online harassment culminated in a horrific attack by one of Olivia’s obsessed fans. Ashley was stabbed to death. The shock proved too much for her mother, who suffered a fatal heart attack upon hearing the news.

This time around, reborn six months before the fateful international design competition, Ashley decided to do things differently. She was done competing. But her withdrawal sparked a strange reaction from both Olivia and Ethan.

“Ashley,” Olivia chirped, her voice saccharine sweet, “Thanks to your advice, the professor praised my progress! You entered the international design competition, right? We’re all rooting for you to win!”

The phantom pain of the knife piercing her chest hadn’t faded yet. Now, Ashley was hearing those familiar, sickeningly sweet tones again. Her heart pounded, a stark reminder that she was alive, given a second chance.

Ethan's voice cut through the air, cool and detached. “Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Olivia’s pretty talented too. It's anyone's game."

His words doused Ashley's renewed hope like a bucket of ice water. The flattering murmurs around her died down, replaced by whispers.

“Olivia is really good, though. She’s been winning everything lately. Even Ashley can't keep up."

"Well, overall, Ashley’s portfolio is still stronger."

"But… isn’t Ethan Ashley’s boyfriend? Why does he always seem to take Olivia's side?"

A bitter smile touched Ashley's lips. He was her boyfriend, yet Ethan showered Olivia with unwavering favoritism. He knew Olivia's mother was the "other woman" who’d broken up Ashley’s family, yet he remained oblivious to Ashley's pain. When Ashley confronted him about his blatant bias, he'd simply dismiss her, his expression cold and impatient. "Stop being dramatic, Ashley. I just see her as a little sister. Why take out your parents' drama on Olivia?”

Olivia, the innocent, wide-eyed ingenue of the campus. Before, she'd been unremarkable, but recently, she'd blossomed, showcasing an almost unbelievable talent. Every time Ashley poured her heart and soul into a new design, burning the midnight oil, Olivia would somehow beat her to the punch, submitting a near-identical piece first. Ashley was left to submit her backups, her second-best work.

Ashley, once the undisputed star student, lauded for both her talent and hard work, was now perpetually s...