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I was wrongly killed for plagiarism, and after rebirth I just played badly
Chapter 1
I got canned from
y job, so I packed my
bags and headed back to the sticks, spending
my days playing mahjong with Grandma.
Meanwhile, my whole family was freaking out,
searching high and low for me.
Turns out, my genius jewelry designer sister
couldn’t sketch a thing after I left.
Last time around, at the National Jewelry
Design Competition, my little sister always
managed to whip up designs that were
carbon copies of mine, but, like, five minutes
sooner.
Everyone accused me of plagiarism, and my
own family jumped on the bandwagon to
testify against me.
The company decided I was a liabili
a
copycat ruining their reputation, so they
handed me a pink slip and a bill for damages.
My family treated me like dead weight,
kicking me to the curb.
The weight of their betrayal and public shame
crushed me, and I spiraled into depression. I
ended up getting mowed down by one of my
sister’s crazed fans while walking down the
street.
Before blacking out, I couldn’t figure out how
my sister always got her hands on my designs
first.
<
Then, bam! I woke up, back to the day before
the National Jewelry Design Competition.
“Ashley, you feeling confident about the
competition?”
The office chatter snapped me back to reality.
I couldn’t believe it, I was reliving it all!
“Ash has won the company’s Designer of the
Year award, like, three times in a row, of
Curse she’s confident.”
She bumped my shoulder with a smile.
I was at a loss, because I knew what was
coming.
Last time around at the National Design
Competition, I submitted my design, one I had
poured my heart and soul into for days.
Then, boom! I was accused of straight–up
plagiarism!
The organizers flashed two designs on the
screen, identical down to the tiniest detail,
including the flower patterns.
But, the kicker? My sister, Madison, had
submitted hers first.
She stood below the stage, eyes red, staring
at me like she couldn’t believe it.
She grabbed the mic, shouting, “Ashley, why would you copy my work? If you’re stuck, I
can help you find inspiration! Why would you
do this?”
I froze. It was my design. I’d kept it locked
away on my computer, never showed it to
anyone.
I tried to explain, but the crowd was already
chanting: “Copycat! Get off the stage!”
“You don’t deserve to be a designer. What a
joke!”
I snatched the mic, trying to defend myself,
but only a few people believed me.
Then, my parents trotted out photos of
Madison burning the midnight oil.
They said they regretted having a daughter
like me and disowned me on the spot.
That was it. Nobody believed me anymore.
I was escorted out by security, and my phone
blew up with hate.
I checked my computer for viruses,
backdoors, anything. The computer and my
sketches were always with me, how could this
happen?
How could Madison have an exact copy of my
design?
All my ideas, sketches, they came from me.
I would never plagiarize her!
“Ashley, I heard your sister’s in the
competition too, who do you think will win?”
<
Soon after I joined this company, Madison,
somehow joined as well.
Hearing that made my stomach drop. My
hands clenched into fists, like they wanted to
break skin.
My little sister, Madison.
When she was born, she didn’t cry like other
babies.
Mom thought something was wrong and
brought in a psychic.
The guy walked in and fixated on me.
He claimed my aura clashed with Madison’s, making her weak. He said I was stealing her
life force.
<
He said I had to move out so Madison could
survive.
The alternative? She wouldn’t live past 25.
From that day on, my parents were desperate
to get rid of me.
Maybe I sensed it, because I tried everything
to please Madison, to stay.
I gave her my favorite toys, while her room
overflowed with brand–new dolls.
I went to greet her and saw that innocent,
cute smile. But I was wrong.
She knocked down the blocks, and sat there
and started crying.
My parents rushed to her, but I stood there.
Then, mom’s hand slapped across my face.
My ears rang, and blood trickled down my lip.
I knew then that Madison and I could never
get along.
They sent me to live with Grandma. She
raised me all by herself.
A few years ago, my parents suddenly asked
me to come home.
I wanted their love, so I agreed.
I sat at my desk, staring at my designs on the
computer.
Madison had spent her life learning to dance,
when did she start studying art and design?
I asked my colleagues if I could see
Madison’s past design submissions.
Soon a file with Madison’s designs landed in
my inbox.
I went through them, the more I looked the
more my stomach churned!
These designs were identical to mine!
Some of them I hadn’t even made public.
And all these had already been released.
It was impossible.
Some designs were intended to be part of a
portfolio for when I would one day start my
own business.
Nobody knew.
I deleted my designs on my computer and
tried to calm down.
I’ve died and come back, there must be
something I’m missing.
I studied art and design since high school and
graduated with high marks, then chose to
continue with jewelery design.
I was stable in my art skills and knowledge.
I calmed myself and strengthened my will.
I didn’t know how she was doing it, but I
would redesign everything!
I closed my computer, too scared to use it, in
case I was copied.
I took out some paper and started designing
a new set of jewelry.
After deciding on the structure and materials,
I started drawing.
I looked at my work.
It was a ring made of intertwined purple gold
wires and a platinum violet, with a purple
stone in the centre.
It had a mystical, elegant, feel.
I named it Violet Kiss.
<
“Wow! Madison released a new design and
it’s beautiful…”
I frowned, new design?
“This design is amazing!”
“Ashley, your sister is so talented, I wish I was
you.”
The office was buzzing.
Everyone looked at their phones, and I saw
the Madison had posted a picture on WeChat.
“I’ll keep working hard to show everyone more
great designs, here is Violet Kiss.”
I looked at the photo and my eyes widened.
<
It was the design I just created. How could
Madison post it first?
Someone walked past my desk and picked up
my drawing.
“Look, this is the same as Madison’s post!”
Everyone gathered.
“It’s identical!”
I froze and reached out to grab the drawing,
but someone pushed me.
“Ashley, are you trying to plagiarise your
sister?”
They spoke like they had heard gossip.
“I can’t believe she would do this.”
“Her designs are similar to Madison’s, did
anyone notice?”
People compared my designs to Madison’s.
I grabbed my drawing.
“This is mine, Madison is plagiarising my
work!”
Madison walked in.
She wore a short white dress.
Her eyes were red and wet, and she sounded
like she was crying.
“Why are you stealing my work? I know you
<
don’t like me, but that’s from the heart.”
“Ever since you came home, you don’t like
me, are you blaming mom and dad?”
Everyone was sympathetic to her.
Someone pushed me from behind, and I
slammed into the desk.
Blood ran down my cheek.
Madison pretended to pull me up, but fell.
What the hell, there are so many people here
She pretended to be hurt and looked at me
innocently.
“Why did you push me? I was trying to pull
you up…‘
Everyone rushed to help her and screamed at
- me.
“Ashley, stop it, do you regret plagiarism? Are
you mad?”
“It’s ok Madison, let her be, she deserves to
die.”
Madison stood up and acted sad.
“She’s still my sister, I don’t mind…”
I laughed.
“You’re mistaken sister, come here and I’ll tell
you something.”
<
Madison got closer.
I looked at her and slapped her across the
face.
She fell.
“Oops, sister’s sorry.”
Madison sat on the floor, covering her face,
and glared at me.
Then she looked up and pretended to be
innocent.
I don’t have time to deal with her.
I got up and left.
