Chapter 64:

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Ferdinand’s words hit with the clarity of a gavel, making his position unmistakable. It was evident that he already had the whole picture, and nothing would catch him by surprise.

The crowd buzzed with eager chatter, their excitement feeding off the unfolding drama. Reporters, ever hungry for sensational headlines, sniffed out the chaos, hoping to catch every tantalizing detail.

“Hey, isn’t that Ferdinand Blakely? The big boss from the Everett Group!”

“Word is, Scarlet Snake, the champion from that first Perfumery Competition ages ago, took the crown again this time!”

“A lot of folks were dying to see the real Scarlet Snake face off against the imposter, but security kept everyone out. No cameras, no footage.”

Melany’s insides twisted with fury, but her hands were tied. The press was right there, just beyond reach, but she couldn’t let this fiasco drag Colton down with her. The Everett Group was too formidable to provoke, and now, with it confirmed that Allison was indeed Scarlet Snake, the tide had turned in her favor.

But for Melany to admit publicly to plagiarism? To confess to cheating? That would seal her fate in Ontdale, marking her with a permanent stain.

Allison spoke with icy calm. “Everything’s laid out, Melany. Still want to pretend it was just a tribute?”

The professionals in the crowd smelled blood in the water, and Melany was cornered. “It was my mistake,” she spat, each word dripping with reluctance. “I shouldn’t have stolen your formula.”

Her apology came out like a stone grating against metal. “I’m… sorry.”

Bowing her head, Melany bent low, offering Allison an exaggerated gesture of submission. Every second of her public disgrace was caught by the flashing cameras.

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Her jaw clenched so tight that she could feel the tension crack her teeth. The wave of bitterness and envy swelled within her like a storm, threatening to drown her completely.

Who could’ve guessed that Allison was the real Scarlet Snake all along?

From the very beginning, Allison had played her like a well-tuned fiddle.

Melany thought her public apology, broadcast for the world to see, would be the final act. But Allison had no intention of letting Melany—or Colton—off the hook so easily.

“Oh, and what about you, Mr. Stevens?” Allison’s voice was calm but laced with a quiet fury. “You accused me of cheating without a shred of proof. Don’t you think it’s time for an apology of your own?”

Allison’s gaze drifted lazily to Colton, whose face had drained of all color. “Surely admitting your mistakes shouldn’t be too difficult, especially for someone of your stature. CEO of the Stevens Group, bowing out gracefully in front of Mr. Blakely here—that shouldn’t be too much to ask, right?”

Her words carried a sharpness, each one cut with the weight of unspoken threats.

Allison vividly remembered how Colton had once begged Kellan to open doors for him. She knew he had his sights set on teaming up with Ferdinand through this very competition. Colton hesitated, the gravity of what Allison was suggesting settling in.

Refusing to apologize would destroy any hope of a partnership with Ferdinand. The consequences of that would be far worse than a moment of public shame.

He could feel Ferdinand’s cold eyes on him, the pressure intensifying as Kellan, standing by Allison, watched intently. The weight on Colton’s shoulders felt suffocating, and the unpleasant sensation ran down his spine.

Grinding his teeth, Colton swallowed his pride. He had no choice but to step into the humiliation.

“I shouldn’t have wrongly accused Miss Clarke.” In front of the watchful eyes of the audience, Colton bent at the waist, offering a stiff, shallow bow.

“Sorry.”

Though the word was small, the hostility in his voice was impossible to mask.

In the quiet shadows of Athton, Colton had been able to stomach apologizing. But here, under the unforgiving spotlight of public scrutiny, his dignity was being ground into dust.

The reporters, ever eager for a good scandal, snapped photo after photo, capturing the moment in a flurry of bright camera flashes. Colton didn’t need to see tomorrow’s headlines to know the damage was done—every major newspaper would soon carry the story of the Stevens Group CEO’s very public apology.

But for now, this was the only way to stem the tide of outrage and secure Melany’s third-place standing. Under the competition’s rules, she still had a slim chance to partner with the Everett Group.

The Everett Group was a giant among global advertisers, and with their backing, Colton was sure he could eventually turn the tables. He silently vowed that once he secured their support, he would clear his name in the media and regain control of the situation.

As he seethed, reporters finally managed to push past the security barriers, flooding into the hall. Their cameras zoomed in on Colton’s bowed form, capturing his tightly contained fury. His face darkened further, and he muttered, “Can we leave now?”

He cast a weary glance at the mob of journalists, already calculating how much it would cost to buy their silence.

Allison, wearing her sweetest smile, waved them off. “Yes, you can go now. Goodbye.”

Colton’s frustration deepened, bubbling dangerously beneath the surface. Just as he was about to leave, Ferdinand’s voice cut through the air with casual indifference.

“Hold on.”

Before Colton could register what was happening, Ferdinand addressed the event’s organizer with a nonchalant shrug. “Inform the media that this contestant, caught red-handed in plagiarism, is officially disqualified. The Perfumery Competition maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on dishonesty and cheating.”

“Understood,” the organizer replied swiftly, having been biting his tongue throughout the spectacle. He was more than happy to carry out the order. Colton and Melany had not only tarnished the competition’s reputation but had gone as far as to wrongfully accuse a judge.

Now that Ferdinand had spoken, the organizer couldn’t act fast enough.

Colton and Melany were frozen where they stood, stunned beyond words.

Their eyes widened in disbelief. They couldn’t fathom what had just transpired.

Disqualification meant any dream of future collaboration with the Everett Group was dead in the water.

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