As the accusation hung in the air, the entire hall fell into a stunned silence. The revelation that Miss Lydia had paid a girl from the perfume company to destroy Rachel's work was a shock to everyone present.
Gasps of disbelief echoed throughout the room, mingled with whispers of speculation and judgment.
Some individuals, perhaps out of loyalty or a desire to defend Miss Lydia, attempted to cast doubt on the girl's testimony. Someone from the crowd shouted "we believe in you miss Lydia, we don't think you would do such a thing".
"Yes" they all shouted in unison.
"This girl must hate you so much to want to destroy your image that she is framing this one you" They suggested that she may have been framing Miss Lydia to escape punishment for her own actions.
Their attempts at defending Lydia and accusing the innocent girl only served to strengthen Lydia's resolve to defend herself.