Chapter 52:

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Rebecca nearly burst into laughter when she heard the name “Scarlet Snake.” She cast a disdainful glance at Melany, her lips curling into a sneer. “I’d bet money you’re just some knock-off. You can’t even prove who you are.”

Melany’s face paled even more as her hands clenched into fists. It was clear that Rebecca and Allison were trying to get under her skin — and they were succeeding.

The mere thought of having her identity tested made Melany’s stomach churn. Biting her lip, she said softly, “I never said I was Scarlet Snake. Sure, I won championships before, but that was a long time ago. Now, I’m just relying on my skills.”

She didn’t confirm or deny anything — just dropped enough breadcrumbs to keep them guessing, all while subtly hinting at her past success.

Her reddening eyes and stubborn expression made her seem like someone trapped, caught in a fight she couldn’t win.

Colton, noticing her distress, immediately stepped in front of her. “You two need to stop playing this game. She’s not here to prove anything to you. Melany just doesn’t want to flaunt her identity. Some of you probably won’t even crack the top fifty. I wonder how you’ll handle that humiliation.”

Kellan remained still, showing no reaction. Years ago, the one who had bested him in the first Perfumery Competition in Leswington was none other than Scarlet Snake. Could Melany truly be her?

Kellan glanced briefly at her. If she was Scarlet Snake, the image he’d held in his mind for years now felt shattered, twisted. Allison, on the other hand, remained composed, watching Colton’s growing agitation with a calm smile. “Well then, let’s congratulate Melany in advance for winning this year’s competition. That should settle any doubts about her skills.”

Her smile hit like a punch to the gut.

Colton’s face darkened even further, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “If jealousy worked, we wouldn’t need cameras, would we? I don’t care how you slithered your way into the SVIP section, but let’s get one thing straight — fake can never pass for real!”

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He was confident. The entire venue was covered in surveillance, ensuring no funny business.

Each contestant’s work was to be judged by an anonymous panel of international experts, making it impossible to game the system. Allison’s smile grew wider. “Exactly. Fake will never be real!”

Though her tone remained measured, the sting of her words was enough to make Melany avert her gaze. Kellan then spoke, his voice cutting through the tension. “I’ve always wondered, what kind of people drag down the collective IQ?”

He had a way of making even a single sentence sting. “If connections were all it took, Mr. Stevens, then why didn’t you bring your girlfriend into the SVIP section too? Are you too principled for that, or is it just beyond your reach?”

The title “Mr. Stevens” brought Colton back to the humiliation he’d suffered in Athton at Kellan’s hands. His expression soured, but he quickly rebounded. “I was joking earlier. What I meant is, if you’ve got nothing to hide, there’s no reason to feel guilty.”

Seeing Kellan, Melany instinctively straightened up, forcing a smile. “I didn’t expect to run into you here, Mr. Lloyd. Seems like fate, considering our last meeting in Athton.”

Kellan didn’t bother responding to either of them this time. His eyes flicked over Melany, then moved on, clearly disinterested. She was trying to use past humiliations to forge some kind of connection. Pathetic! He turned to Allison, his tone casual. “Were you part of that first Perfumery Competition?”

“Of course.”

Allison’s gaze met his, and without words, he understood the depth of her response.

“Let’s not waste time with these tired old games. How about we cut to the chase?”

Kellan’s smirk grew, something familiar flickering in his eyes. “What was your ranking in that contest?”

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