Shannon stared at me for a while as if trying to see something unusual on my face. After a long time, she spoke, "Maybe it's just a coincidence. I... Well... It's just a misunderstanding. Can you help me clarify it? Everyone is pointing fingers at me now."

She sounded so righteous. How come I didn't realize before that Shannon was so disgusting?

Brian smiled and quickly helped Shannon up, "Shannon, don't worry. Gina will definitely help you. You are her best friend."

6

Suddenly, Brian's face overlapped with the one from my previous life.

In my previous life, when the media reporters blocked my door for an interview, Brian protected me in his arms and said desperately at the top of his lungs, "Even though Gina is at fault, you can't do this. No one is perfect. You should give her a chance."

Since my rebirth, I had always been concerned about the plagiarism matter, and I didn't realize that though it sounded like Brian was speaking up for me at that time, in a way, he was also admitting my guilt on my behalf.

Thinking of this, I nodded. "But how can I help you?"

Seeing that I had a calm expression, Brian breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "It's easy, Gina. You just need to admit that you plagiarized. Say that this unfinished piece of music you posted is also Shannon's work. That way, she won't be criticized."

Shannon looked at me expectantly. "Gina, only you can help me. If I'm labeled as a scammer, my life will be ruined."

I found it ridiculous and did not agree. I said, "Shannon, I have already posted this piece of music online a long time ago. This is just a slight addition. If I help you clarify now, it will only make things worse. So, I have come up with a solution for you that can make everyone forget about your scamming incident today."

Shannon looked at me blankly. "What is it?"

I took out a poster. "This is the National Original Music Production Competition. As long as you make a better new song, who will care about this?"

Shannon didn't answer and glanced at Brian, who immediately understood. "Gina, are you going to participate in this competition?"

I nodded. "Of course."

If I didn't, Shannon wouldn't.

If she didn't, how could I let her suffer and embarrass herself?

7

Shannon and Brian talked to me for a long time, but no matter what, I just wouldn't clarify. Instead, I forwarded a tweet, accusing Shannon of being biased and gullible and expressing my intention to participate in the competition.

Shannon had no choice but to leave with a grievance. Before leaving, she looked at Brian. The two of them exchanged affectionate glances as if no one else was present. How stupid was I before that I didn't notice the betrayal of my boyfriend and my best friend?

After Shannon left, Brian's expression changed again and again. Finally, he said affectedly, "Gina, I have faith in you. You will definitely win first place. I'm sure you'll nail it."

I looked at him mockingly. "If I win first place, how can Shannon prove her ability and cover up her scandal? I want to casually make a song so that she can win. In such a way, everyone will only remember her talent and forget about this embarrassing incident."

Brian had calmed down and realized that he said a lot of things he shouldn't have. He smiled awkwardly, "I just don't want you to regret it. After all, Shannon... Shannon is your best friend. You are so kind, and I'm sure you wouldn't want her to be criticized. But you still have to work hard. Don't slack off. Or you'll let down all your fans."

Without waiting for my response, he pushed me into the studio.

I look at the closed door. In my previous life, I was deeply involved in the plagiarism scandal, but there were still many loyal fans who chose to believe in me and suggested that I should participate in this competition.

To prove myself, I chose to participate. I worked tirelessly for over a month and made a song that I thought was perfect.

But unexpected things happened again.

After I released my song, Shannon once again showed the process of her song production, proving that she had sent it to the judges before me. So, I was labeled as a copycat by everyone forever...

I picked up a pen and started writing lyrics without thinking much.

8

Time passed quickly.

After half a year of seclusion, I finally completed the work. Just like in my previous life, I directly posted it online.

This time, Shannon didn't hire an online army, but everyone, including the organizing committee, discovered that my song and Shannon's were exactly the same, and she had released hers a day before me.

Combined with what happened last time, everyone naturally thought that Shannon didn't lie last time and that it was me who plagiarized her work!

Before everyone could dwell on it, Shannon started to livestream.

She looked haggard, with big dark circles under her bloodshot eyes.

She cried and said, "I really can't stand it anymore. Gina is not only my friend but also my idol. So, when she suggested that I participate in the competition, I didn't doubt it at all. When she asked me to show her the finished song, I didn't doubt it either.

"But I still had my suspicions, so I sent it to the organizing committee and then to Gina. I didn't expect Gina to plagiarize my work again. When I questioned her just now, she even said that it was my honor to be plagiarized by her. She also said that after the incident last time, no one would plagiarize my work.

"Indeed. I was wronged last time. It was Gina's own performance. But I'm just an unknown musician, and I'm nothing compared to her.

"I was forced to kneel, to apologize, and to delete my post!

"But Gina, you can't force me again and again! You're not gonna stop until I die, are you?"

The bullet comments on the screen were flooding, and everyone was cursing me as a plagiarist, telling me to get out of the music industry, get out of America, drop dead, and so on.

But soon, public opinion changed. Those who cursed me started to turn silent, and my fans all rushed into Shannon's livestream room.

[You lunatic. Damn copycat!]

[Stupid copycat, stop pretending to be pitiful, OK? Go and check Gina's Twitter before lying!]

Shannon took out her phone with a grim face. After glancing at my Twitter, she fainted.