Chapter 39:

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“How could Allison be so ruthless? She did this on purpose! My hair is ruined…”

Melany’s eyes brimmed with tears as she clutched the shorn strands, feeling an overwhelming sense of loss. She had meticulously cared for her long, black hair to maintain her image as the epitome of gentleness and innocence, only to have it destroyed by Allison.

“She’s trying to kill me. I’m sure of it,” Melany wept, her sobs invoking a flood of sympathy.

Her tears were not just for show. She genuinely felt threatened, convinced that Allison might resort to murder.

“She’s not that skilled. Just calm down,” Colton soothed, rubbing her back while his own heart raced with fear.

The chilling breeze and the menacing intent seemed almost palpable, as if the knife had been aimed straight at his brain, ready to end his life. The eerie sensation left him drenched in cold sweat.

Melany was not consoled by Colton’s casual reassurances. She continued to sob, her voice trembling. “But she truly attacked us without a shred of mercy. It’s too much. I might be fine, but she shouldn’t have harmed you. Weren’t you once married? Doesn’t she understand the effort you put in? Publicly humiliating you and jeopardizing our partnerships. She doesn’t appreciate all you do for the company, and now even Mr. Lloyd might misinterpret our situation. What are we going to do?”

Colton, already boiling from the day’s events, found his thoughts tangled in chaos.

“Enough,” he said, his patience wearing thin. “What does Kellan really matter? Even without his endorsement, the Stevens Group will endure. I’ve heard the fourth International Perfumery Competition is coming up next month, hosted by the Everett Group. I’ll find the right moment to network…”

Suddenly, an idea struck Colton, shifting his mood.

“I’m sorry, Melany. I was out of line today because of my mood,” he said softly, wiping the tears from her eyes. “You’ve been through so much. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

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Melany nodded, leaning into his embrace.

“It’s okay, Colton. I don’t mind, but I just feel sorry for you.”

Colton placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “Melany, I remember you were the champion of the perfumery competition a few years ago.”

“You remember that?” Melany asked, surprised.

“Of course, I remember everything about you,” Colton said with a smile.

Before Melany could fully appreciate his words, Colton added, “So, could you help me this time? If you make it to the finals in this perfumery competition, we could secure sponsorship from the Everett Group and maybe even meet their CEO.”

Melany blinked as she absorbed his request.

But Colton’s gentle plea was irresistible, and she nodded weakly. “I’ll try my best.”

She remembered her first anonymous international competition. Despite her best efforts, she hadn’t advanced to the finals. Later, by chance, she discovered the champion’s basic perfume recipe and spent nearly two years refining it to produce a product that was approximately 80% similar.

The champion, known as Scarlet Snake, was an elderly individual, nearly sixty, with their gender unknown. Scarlet Snake had vanished in recent years and hadn’t competed again.

Melany used Scarlet Snake’s formula to produce a new blend and easily won the title. Scarlet Snake had been missing for years, and Melany thought that using the formula again would go unnoticed.

“I knew you were my savior. With your skills, you’re sure to outshine everyone!” Colton beamed, pulling her closer. Even without Kellan, Colton felt confident that he could secure a collaboration with the Everett Group.

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