Chapter 55:

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

Kellan’s gaze remained inscrutable, especially as he held the scent strip of perfume number five.

Lemonade?! Doubt lingered in his mind—this was the signature work of Scarlet Snake, and that meant Allison was Scarlet Snake!

The realization hit Kellan with the force of a lightning strike. Of all the fragrances showcased, only this one carried Scarlet Snake’s unmistakable touch. The scent wasn’t just strikingly similar; it had a calming effect on him. Only Scarlet Snake’s signature extraction technique could’ve done that.

“Congratulations, Ms. Clarke, on your victory.” Kellan’s words carried a measured curiosity. “I must admit, I didn’t expect you to hide so well. That rare fragrance you once claimed you stumbled upon… was that one of your creations?”

His mind rewound to their first encounter in his office when she said that she had just casually bought that perfume. Kellan then ordered his men to buy out the most exclusive fragrance shops downtown.

Yet, none had come close. Each attempt paled, like comparing gold to fool’s gold.

Allison, sharp as ever, caught the implication in his tone. “I could never compare to your reputation, Mr. Lloyd. The Charisma Company is already an industry legend. But then again… your base scent doesn’t exactly scream originality.”

Allison hadn’t anticipated that Kellan was the founder of Charisma.

The realization left a sour taste, knowing how close she had been to finding clues about her mother years ago. Her eyes stayed locked on him, reading for any sign of offense. Yet, to her surprise, there was none. What was essentially a veiled accusation of plagiarism didn’t ruffle him in the slightest.

“Of course not.” Kellan’s lips curved into an unfazed smile. “It’s a family secret, passed down for generations. And using ‘Lemonade’ as an alias? You’ve been keeping a much lower profile than I thought.”

The tales you love are at gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․cøm

Now, he was certain. Allison was Scarlet Snake!

Kellan marveled at her. From the Royal Princess cruise to Athton and now the perfumery contest, this woman kept peeling back layer after layer, each revelation more surprising than the last.

And Allison knew just as well that Kellan held the very answers she needed. But this wasn’t the time or place for that. Not yet.

Their words dripped with congratulations, but their locked eyes told a different story—a silent duel unfolding, like the clash of two magnets, opposite yet undeniably drawn to each other. Sparks were flying, but no one else seemed to notice the heat.

Rebecca, oblivious to the undercurrent, sighed wistfully. “What a shame. If you hadn’t married that scumbag, you’d have taken the international market by storm ages ago. Hell, you’d probably be sitting with the judges right now!” Her lament was heartfelt.

Allison’s eyes dropped briefly to the wristband she was toying with. “It’s no shame. I chose my road. Wrong road, yes, but at least I got off it in time.” Her voice rang with certainty, though there were moments when regret sneaked in.

She remembered when she had married Colton with fresh hope, even creating a custom fragrance for his birthday. But instead of appreciation, she had been met with his frosty disdain—he had thrown it back in her face, calling it worthless.

It had stung, though she could now admit that it was part of a bigger mistake—her misplaced loyalty to a man unworthy of it.

But she had no one to blame but herself.

Colton, standing nearby, was now the one struggling with a storm of emotions. His earlier mockery now felt like a slap to his own pride. His face darkened as he grabbed perfume number five, bringing it close to his nose. His expression immediately soured. “This smells like Melany’s perfume.”

His comment stirred a ripple of unease in the crowd. “Could this be cheating? They do smell kind of similar.” The murmur spread, quickly muting the previous buzz in the room.

Colton, buoyed by the growing suspicion, doubled down. “Melany is Scarlet Snake! There’s no way Allison could’ve outdone her. Take a whiff, everyone—number five is nearly identical to Melany’s perfume!”

With whispers of potential cheating taking root, several contestants who hadn’t placed in the top ten picked up their heads, intrigued by the unfolding drama.

One by one, people leaned in to compare. The base notes of pine and violet lingered, artfully blended. Yet, undeniably familiar.

Scarlet Snake’s unique style—layered, intricate, and enigmatic—was not easily mimicked. Colton, emboldened by the crowd’s hesitation, turned toward Allison, his voice filled with accusation. “Did you steal Melany’s formula?”

.

.

.