Babel Novel
Chapter 148
Chapter 148: Onyx initially assumed the person approaching was just another overeager fan trying to cut in line.
He never imagined hed run into an old acquaintance, least of all Hedwig now known as Allison whom he thought hed never see again.
Allisons eyes glimmered with a half-smile.
Funny running into you here, she said.
Yeah, haha! Small world, huh? Why dont we step into the lounge? Its too hectic out here.
Onyxs usual bravado slipped slightly, though he quickly masked it.
Standing, he barked a few instructions to the nearby staff.
Ive got something urgent to handle.
Take over for me, he said, giving the crowd a quick bow.
Apologies, everyone.
Ive got to step out, but feel free to enjoy the refreshments on me.
Ill be back shortly.
He led Allison toward the lounge, heart pounding as he silently prayed she wouldnt cause a scene.
Meanwhile, her eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar sketches plastered on the walls.
Seeing her work displayed like this work that had been taken without so much as a thank you was laughably absurd.
Each poster bore traces of the sketches she had poured herself into years ago.
Onyx, desperate to play the role of an old buddy, grinned from ear to ear.
Hedwig, wow! Its really you.
You dont know how worried Ive been.
When I couldnt reach you, I thought something had happened.
Allison turned her head and glanced at him.
His performance was almost flawless someone else might have bought it.
She cut straight to the chase.
Your comic… its not original.
The air between them thickened.
They had once worked side by side at a comic company, back when Allison used her alias, Hedwig Benson.
Onyx had been her editor.
The two had spent time together in Leswington, and though theyd gotten along well enough, Allison wasnt about to cause a public scene.
She wanted to hear him squirm first.
Onyx sighed.
Look, I wont lie to you.
The inspiration did come from the drafts you left behind in Leswington.
But when you disappeared, I thought something mustve gone wrong.
I didnt want your hard work to go to waste.
I built on your sketches, added my touch, and… well, here we are.
He smiled at Allison and added, I never imagined it would blow up like this.
I knew you were talented, but wow, Hedwig, you really outdid yourself.
It was almost convincing the sincerity in his eyes, the ease in his tone.
Almost! Allison raised an eyebrow, her voice cool.
Then why did you put your name on it? That wiped the smile off Onyxs face, if only for a moment.
Youve always hated the spotlight, right? You didnt want your identity tied to your work.
Its just a name, Hedwig.
No harm done, right? Before she could respond, he pushed on.
I mean, sure, the foundation was yours, but I spent countless hours reworking it.
Its my creation now, too.
Thats why I signed it as Onyx Jimenez.
He had clawed his way through ten years of anonymity in Leswington, producing work that no one had ever noticed.
Now, fame was finally his, and he wasnt about to let anyone take it from himnot when a contract with the Stevens Group was just within his grasp.novelbin
Allisons gaze sharpened.
But deep down, you know its plagiarism! Funny, I remember you preaching about how dreams should never be sold out for money.
You used to hate plagiarism more than anything.
Her words landed like a punch.
Onyxs face twisted as bitterness crept into his voice.
Dreams? he barked, the word dripping with frustration.
He let out a bitter laugh.
Once youve been fired, once youre on the edge of homelessness, you realize dreams are just a cruel joke! The years of struggle, the endless nights wondering if hed ever get a breakit all came flooding back.
Now that he had fame and fortune within his grasp, he couldnt believe he had ever thought dreams were enough to live on.
Seeing that Allison wasnt going to back down, he sneered and dropped the facade.
Spare me the victim act! They were just old sketches.
Come on, we were friends.
Cant you just let it go? Do me a favor and let this blow over.
.
.
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